Branch of "VNII Galurgii" JSC in Saint Petersburg:

G. P. Fedulova, Head of Product Testing and Standardization Laboratory, Galina.Fedulova@uralkali.com
S. V. Buksha, Head of Standardization Sector
M. D. Rogozin, Leading Engineer
K. O. Belyakova, Engineer

Both domestic and international markets demand potash fertilizers with potassium chloride content not less than 95%, as well as with definite physical and mechanical properties. The flotation and halurgic methods of potassium chloride production ensure the required content of potassium chloride in the finished product. Thus far, the spotlight is on the wanted physical and mechanical properties of potash fertilizers, especially the export products under the conditions of high competition on the international market. The article presents the results of monitoring the physical and mechanical properties of fine-grained and granular potassium chloride exported by Uralkali. The factors that have the greatest impact on the commercial attractiveness of fertilizers to meet the international market demand are highlighted. The article studies the influence of various modifiers aimed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of potassium chloride and the agrochemical technology of fertilizer application. The quality of the final product should be closely related with the production technology of potassium chloride, its modification using different reagents, as well as with the conditions of haulage and warehousing of the finished product.
The authors sincerely appreciate participation of Deputy Chief Technical Officer, Candidate of Engineering Sciences S. N. Aliferova and Head of Technical Control Department Yu. I. Moskvicheva, Uralkali, in the studies.

1. Vasilyev А. М., Frolov V. V. Improvement of fine-grained materials size distribution characteristics determination methods on testing sieves of different design. Obogashchenie Rud. 2016. No. 3. pp. 41–46. DOI: 10.17580/or.2016.03.07
2. Kuvshinnikov I. M., Kondakov D. F., Pozdny akova A. V. Granulation of potassium chloride in the presence of plastifiers and surfactants. Russian Chemical Industry. 1996. Vol. 73, No. 1.
3. Sioson A. S., Earvin Sy Choi A., de Luna M. D. G., Huang Y.-H., Lu M.-C. Calcium carbonate granulation in a fluidized-bed reactor: Kinetic, p arametric and granule characterization analyses. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2020. Vol. 382. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2019.122879
4. Shilov V. V., Nesterova S. Yu. Verkhnekamskoye potassium and magnesium salts as a factor in the dynamic development of the Perm region. Ekonomika i predprinimatelstvo. 2016. No. 11-1(76). pp. 1017–1022.
5. Holliman N. New study predicts anti-caking agents will remain a vital revenue pocket for fertilizer additives manufacturers. World Fertilizer. 2019. May.
6. Jančaitienė K., Šlinkšienė R. Influence of cellulose additive on the granulation process of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Chemical Industry and Chemical Engineering Quarterly. 2020. Vol. 26, No. 4. pp. 359–367.
7. Lachance E. V., Abatzoglou N., Gosselin R., Duchesne C., Cournoyer A. Potassium chloride caking tendency: A parametric study of cake break energy. A dvanced Powder Technology. 2018. Vol. 29, Iss. 9. pp. 2140–2152.
8. Teterina N. N., Sabirov R. Kh., Skvirskiy L. Ya., Kirichenko L. N. Technology of potash ore flotation. Perm – Solikamsk – Berezniki : OGUP Solikamskaya tipografiya, 2002. 484 p.
9. Significant advances in flotation technology on the MBE-CMT Pneuflot machine. Dobyvayushchaya promyshlennost. 2017. No. 2. pp. 6–7.
8. GOST 20851.4–75. Mineral fertilizers. Methods for determination of water. Moscow : IPK Izdatelstvo standartov, 2000. 7 p.
9. GOST 4568–95. Potassium chloride. Specifications. Minsk : IPK Izdatelstvo standartov, 1996. 16 p.
10. Korol A. R., Lanovetskiy S. V., Kosvintsev O. K. Analysis of potassium chloride quality control methods. Youth Science in Regional Development : IX All-Russian Conference. Berezniki, 2019. pp. 234–239.
11. Shlomina L. F., Dikhtievskaya L. V., Shevchuk V. V. Conditioning of fine-grained potassium chloride with the help water emulsions based on the oilproducts. Izvestiya Natsionalnoy akademii nauk Belarusi. Seriya khimicheskikh nauk. 2011. No. 4. pp. 95–99.
12. Analyzers for static strength of ACAR grains. Available at: https://all-pribors.ru/opisanie/51298-12-acar-54477 (accessed: 19.12.2020).
13. GOST 21560.3–82. Mineral fertilizers. Method for determination of dynamic strength and attrition (incl. Revisions 1, 2). Moscow, 2003. 3 p.
14.Specifications STO SPEKS-001-98. Exportable potassium chloride. Perm : VNII Galurgii JSC, 1998.