Supply of pumps for supplying magnesium nitrate solution to the Azot branch of JSC UCC URALCHEM

Joint Stock Company United Chemical Company URALCHEM (JSC UCC URALCHEM) is one of the largest companies in the mineral fertilizer market in the Russian Federation, the CIS and Eastern Europe. The company is the Russian leader in the production of ammonium nitrate, and also ranks second in Russia in terms of production of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers.

The Azot branch of URALCHEM JSC is the only enterprise in Russia that produces higher aliphatic amines, crystalline sodium nitrite, sodium and potassium nitrate. The plant's products have been awarded the prestigious Golden Star and Golden Globe awards. The main products produced by the Azot branch are ammonia, nitric acid, urea, nitrite-nitrate salts, ammonium nitrate. The Azot branch of URALCHEM JSC was one of the first Russian producers of mineral fertilizers to undergo the procedure of registering its products under the European REACH regulation and officially confirmed the right to export products to the countries of the European Union.

For a long time, strong nitric acid shop engineers have been trying to solve a common problem - the rapid wear of X45/54 pumps pumping a solution of magnesium nitrate in weak nitric acid.

As part of cooperation with JSC UCC URALCHEM in 2016, to resolve this tasks the EnergoFront company was involved. First of all, we carried out an analysis of the pumped medium, which showed deviations from the design values. These values ​​greatly complicated the task, since it was necessary to select a pump that was resistant to corrosion, erosion and abrasive wear.

In the process of studying the problem, it was decided to take a non-standard path: at a time when most manufacturers of pumps for severe operating conditions are developing and introducing new high-strength alloys that are resistant to the pumped media, increasing the cost of production and the final cost of the equipment, we selected a completely new solution for this position - to reduce the rotation speed of the working parts of the pump.

The rotor speed of the Börger FL518 pump is 362 rpm, almost 3 times less than the wheel speed of a centrifugal pump. Due to the low speed, the pump elements remain operational longer.

These pumps can pump liquid with a high content of abrasive inclusions. The Börger pump housing is completely enclosed with quick-release protective plates made of wear-resistant steel: These protect the pump housing from wear and reduce repair costs. 

The design of Börger pumps is based on the MIP principle "Service in Place". This means that all BÖRGER rotary pumps can be serviced by personnel without dismantling or disconnecting from the pipeline in the shortest possible time.

To operate the pump, only one person and a platform measuring 0.8 m X 0.8 m are required

Börger pumps are designed with a special intermediate chamber between the hydraulic and mechanical parts of the pump. This chamber is filled with oil and if the mechanical shaft seal fails, it will not allow the pumped liquid to enter the mechanical part of the pump.

Thus, the solution implemented by EnergoFront will ensure long-term non-stop operation of pumping units and significantly reduce the time spent on repair and maintenance of equipment.

Project achievements