VNII Galurgy Stock Co., St. Petersburg, Russia:

S. N. Titkov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, titkov@galurgy.sp.ru

Activity of VNII Galurgy (VNIIG) over 85 years is associated with the development of unique deposits galurgy raw materials and their processing. In the early years of industrial development of Verkhnekamskoye deposit the specialists of VNII Galurgy actively participated in the study of geological, chemical and physico-chemical aspects of formation of potassium-magnesium salts, mining, identifying hydrogeochemical zoning of suprasalt sediments, establishing boundaries of waterproof strata and others. The introduction to the mining and chemical plants of highly technological equipment, tailored to the specifics of potash and salt industry, made it possible to increase the extraction of valuable component and the quality of finished product. This has been significantly improved physical and mechanical properties of granular KCl, that allows to compete with the products of the world's potash producers. Participating in the works on retooling and modernization of the potash plants, members of the VNIIG created new types of process equipment for the process of dissolution, sedimentation, flotation, dewatering, granulation and drying of salt benefication products. There were developed, manufactured and put into production: type series devices of fluidized bed and type series devices of tube-dryers for the finished product, clarifiers and thickeners, and various types of flotation machines, drum and belt vacuum filters, filter and settling centrifuges, new reagents for the benefication of KCl and slimes from ores of various compositions. VNIIG successfully adapted to the new economic conditions and to the market economy, while maintaining its scientific and technical potential. Today “VNII Galurgy” — a leading organization in the potash and salt industry of the country, one of the few in the world of complex organizations engaged in research and project work in the field of mining and processing of galurgy and hydromineral raw materials. In the different years in VNIIG worked many famous scientists - founders and organizers of scientific schools, new trends in science and technology. Throughout its existence the collective of VNIIG has kept the traditions associated with the development of both the theoretical investigations and applied researches. Currently, VNIIG has highly qualified staff of specialists — geologists and hydrogeologists, miners and geomechanics, technologists, specialists in the field of environmental protection, development of normative and technical documentation and standardization, experienced designers, professionals in the field of information technology. Their experience and energy are an important prerequisite for the successful solution of the problem and the current challenges facing the potash, salt, and sulfate industries.

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