Better fertilizer handling systems for changing times

Global fertilizer markets are set to rise in line with growing populations, with demand heavily tied to the grain sector. Raw materials for fertilizers are also subject to the same market forces as the finished product. We are ready to meet this growth with safe, sustainable, highcapacity systems.

Bruks Siwertell’s range of ship unloaders, loaders, conveyors, and storage and reclaiming systems are making significant inroads into the worldwide trade in bulk fertilizers; an industry that has traditionally relied on grab cranes and bucket systems at its discharge ports.

Major reasons for operators making the switch to Bruks Siwertell systems is the desire for increased efficiency, improved safety standards and a much cleaner operating environment. Increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations often drive the adoption of our technology.

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Siwertell ship unloader

Fertilizer: a vital bulk commodity with handling issues

Agriculture relies on fertilizers, which are primarily made from compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with sulfur. Handling dry bulk fertilizer and its bulk constituents requires systems that minimize cargo degradation and environmental impact, while also possessing the capabilities to keep the risk of fire and explosion as low as possible. They must be able to deal with these hazardous events in a way that presents no risk to personnel, ships and terminal infrastructure.

Bruks Siwertell is the only company able to offer safe, totally-enclosed systems for unloading bulk fertilizers, thanks to our experience with sulfur handling and our Siwertell Sulfur Safety System (4S).

The 4S detects and extinguishes fires early, shutting down the system to stop their spread, and safely containing them. Fire detectors are installed along the length of the conveying line. They automatically start the fire-extinguishing system and stop the conveyors to prevent a fire from spreading to storage areas. Furthermore, extra-thick steel casings can withstand an explosion, while venting valves relieve the resulting pressure. Their robust stainless steel components also minimize corrosion.

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Overcoming environmental challenges

Fertilizers and their constituent materials are dusty and can present serious localized environmental problems when discharged using grab cranes or bucket systems. Bruks Siwertell offers extremely clean bulk fertilizer unloading, loading and conveying systems, which eliminate spillage and keep dust emissions to an absolute minimum.

For many operators, our systems have delivered an operational lifeline, as without the extremely rigorous market-leading environmental performance of our systems, they would have to close down their existing sites.

Efficiency and reliability for all fertilizer applications

Bruks Siwertell’s tailor-made ship unloaders, loaders, conveying systems and stacker reclaimers provide the perfect bulk handling arrangements for all sizes of fertilizer operations.

Reliability, efficiency and excellent through-ship performance and environmental protection measures deliver significant commercial benefits.

Siwertell ship unloader in Norway

Efficient, safe fertilizer unloading in the Arctic Circle

Norway’s leading mineral fertilizer producer, Yara International, operates the world’s northernmost fertilizer plant in Glomfjord, within the Arctic Circle. It has employed a wellmaintained Siwertell unloader, operating at top performance, for more than 30 years. When greater capacity was required, once again the company looked to Siwertell unloading technology to meet its needs.

Any new unloader had to handle demanding dry bulk materials such as various rock phosphates and potash fertilizers, and meet strict environmental criteria, manage high prevailing winds, and operate successfully in the extremely low temperatures of the Arctic Circle.

Yara now operates a rail-mounted Siwertell ST 490-M ship unloader, which serves vessels up to 20,000 dwt at a continuous rated discharge of 600t/h, with a peak capacity of 700t/h. The unloader is equipped with a dust-suppression system and an advanced electrical control unit, including the Siwertell monitoring system, known as SiMon.

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