FT-NIR CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF THE REAGENT PREPARATION OF AMINE ALONG WITH THE BATCH-TO-CONTINUOUS CONVERSION OF THE PROCESS.

Abstract

This work explores FT-NIR monitoring methods for Amine compounds commonly encountered in potash processing, including flotation reagents and their degree of neutralization, amine dosing in oils used as anti-caking agents, and loading analysis of anti-caking agents on solid product. FT-NIR was capable of accurately measuring amine weight percent in organic and aqueous solutions to within ± 0.1 and ± 0.06 wt%, respectively, and degree of neutralization during flotation reagent preparation within ± 6%. Mixing studies were also performed at industrially relevant conditions suggest that batch-to-continuous process retrofits of flotation reagent preparation units should consider the use of high-shear intensity mixers (i.e. orifice plates) over structured static mixing, with better dispersion observed in 1” Sch80 piping compared to 2” Sch80 piping.