Sandvik Process Systems Qualifies New Pastillation System for Major Sulphur Processing Plant
Following the launch of the Rotoform HS, a high capacity version of the Rotoform pastillation system, Sandvik Process Systems has completed successful trials and several months of full production at Econova's sulphur producing installation in Sicily.
The new Rotoform HS has proved itself to be as reliable and flexible as the standard Rotoform systems already in use in more than 300 sulphur installations around the world. It is seen as the breakthrough for solidification capacities of more than >500 tons/day handled by multiple systems.
As with all Rotoform systems, the Rotoform drop depositor combines with a steel belt cooler to produce pastilles of a highly uniform shape, stability and quality, in an environmentally friendly manner.
The difference with the new Rotoform HS is that it uses a rotating shell much bigger than the standard Rotoformer. This enables droplets to be deposited onto the steel belt without distortion at twice the previous speeds, typically up to 120 m/min. Combined with a belt that is twice as long - to allow the same cooling time- the system can double production capacity.
Each Rotoform HS system uses a steel belt 1500 mm wide for cooling and 15 m long. The steel belt cooler ensures a discharge temperature of the sulphur pastilles below 70ºC. This is very important for smooth handling of solid product downstream.
"The principle for Rotoform HS is exactly the same as every Rotoform made before," says Sandvik Process Systems sales manager Ulrich Nanz, "but effectively this is a totally new design, one that offers benefits above and beyond that of productivity."
In designing the system, Sandvik's technicians have taken the opportunity to simplify its design and introduce a number of enhancements. A new swing-out bearing unit allows much easier access, while the dropformer is now lifted into its service position pneumatically. The lifting facility is also a new safety feature. If anything is accidentally caught between the dropformer and the belt - the dropformer is automatically raised to minimise the risk of damage or injury.
The pastille size is defined by the mechanical design of the Rotoformer components and the relevant process parameters. Screening of product to classify off-spec material is not required.
Servicing is also simpler, with fewer components to check and replace and reduction in wear though the elimination of rotary seals.
"We are delighted to have the first system up and running, for what is one of our most important developments in recent years," says Ulrich Nanz. "The Rotoform systems produce 100% premium product quality as determined by SUDIC (Sulphur Development Institute of Canada) procedures".
