Uma análise sobre a operação de secagem aplicada na indústria de fertilizantes

Abstract

Drying represents one of the most important and energy-intensive unit operations in the fertilizer industry, directly impacting final product quality, storage stability, and agricultural application efficiency. This work provides an analysis of the technologies and challenges associated with fertilizer drying, aiming to identify best practices and innovations for process optimization. Through a literature review on the fundamentals of heat and mass transfer and an analysis of a series of case studies, an evolutionary line of knowledge in the sector is traced. The research begins with experimental works, progresses through the era of computational simulation, and arrives at the evaluation of innovative technologies, such as the roto-fluidized dryer. Additionally, drying is explored as a product engineering tool, analyzing how process control is fundamental for the development of slow-release fertilizers. The main conclusion is that the future of drying in the sector lies in a multifaceted approach that balances the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in new facilities, the optimization of the existing industrial base through advanced modeling and control, and the integration of the drying process, not only with speed and efficiency but also preserving the best quality and performance of the product.