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Preventing Fouling in a Potash Production Pipeline - Nutrien Case Study

Nutrien_installation2

Industry

Mining & Minerals

Challenge

Nutrien faced persistent fouling issues in a brine pumping pipeline used for potash production due to salts precipitating from process solutions. These fouling problems, exacerbated by significant temperature fluctuations, led to weekly maintenance disruptions and impacted production recovery rates.

Results

Altum's ultrasound solution effectively prevented fouling, resulting in a 75% reduction in maintenance requirements and a more stable brine pumping operation for Nutrien.

Key Product

Product one

nutrien.com
75%
Reduction in maintenance requirements

Altum’s multichannel solution has helped our business tremendously on the pipeline to prevent scaling and reduce maintenance needs. We are very happy with the collaboration from start to finish

Sarah Johnson

CEO @ Nutrien

picture of an office, with a few people working at desks

Nutrien

Since 2016, from our HQ in Helsinki, Finland, we took on the responsibility of transforming sound into performance. We are the first company in the world that can completely control power ultrasound to prevent and remove fouling and scaling from different types of equipment without stopping production. Our disruptive technology minimises maintenance time, energy consumption and use of hazardous chemicals related to fouling mitigation.

The Challenge

Nutrien's potash production pipeline was plagued by fouling caused by salts precipitating from process solutions due to temperature fluctuations. This fouling led to crystallisation within the pipeline and attachment to inner surfaces, necessitating frequent maintenance. These weekly interruptions not only disturbed production but also negatively affected the recovery rates of the process.

The Solution

Nutrien sought a reliable solution to mitigate the fouling issue without constant maintenance interruptions. After evaluating various options, they opted for Altum Technologies' sophisticated multichannel ultrasound solution. This innovative technology prevents scaling by generating an ultrasonic field within the pipeline, which disrupts the ability of foulants to adhere to surfaces. This proactive approach significantly reduced the need for frequent maintenance, ensuring smoother and more efficient operations.

The Results

The implementation of Altum's ultrasound solution brought remarkable improvements to Nutrien's operations. By preventing fouling, the solution led to a 75% reduction in maintenance requirements. This substantial decrease in maintenance needs not only stabilised the brine pumping process but also enhanced overall production efficiency. Nutrien now enjoys a more stable and efficient potash production pipeline, demonstrating the profound impact of Altum's innovative technology.

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