Optimization of Energy and Resource Efficiency in a Multistage Drying Process of Phosphate Pellets

Abstract

The roasting of phosphate pellets is an energy-intensive process the optimization of which can give rise to considerable efficiency improvements. To this purpose, the mathematical modeling and the computer-aided simulation of a multi-stage process of phosphate pellets roasting have been developed. This process includes drying, dissociation reaction of carbonates and a sintering process in a moving, dense, multilayer mass of phosphate pellets in a special horizontal grate apparatus. A theoretical model for the physical-chemical processes of a mass of phosphate pellets moving in a multistage process and subject to external operation variables (i.e., temperatures and flowrates of the drying gas at different positions of the conveyor length) has been developed. By letting these control variables vary over suitable ranges limited by technical constraints, it is possible to construct an algorithm that minimizes the overall energy consumption subject to the attainment of the required quality indicators of the pellets. Therefore, the set of constraints includes bounds on both the operational variables and quality indicators of the final product. A dynamic programming algorithm subject to suitable penalty functions for avoiding constraints violation has been used. The results obtained show that the scientifically based operation described in this paper achieves the goal of attaining considerable energy savings while assuring the quality of the finished pellets. Furthermore, the results highlight the convenience of extending the general strategy developed in this article to other chemical energy engineering processes.