Crop Nutrition has a Vital Role, backed by Saskatchewan’s Potash Mines & Rittal’s HD Enclosures!

August 19, 2019

The United Nations estimates that world population will climb from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2050. This means higher demand for food for the growing population, and more work for the farmers to produce more food. And they will need fertilizers to do it, which is where potash comes in, as 96% of the world’s production of potash is used in fertilizers. The ten potash mines in Saskatchewan presently account for more than 7 million tonnes of potash or about 25% of the annual world production.

The mission of these potash mines is to help the world grow the food it needs. By striving to produce and deliver the highest quality, most innovative crop nutrition products, they help farmers rise to the challenge.

The simplest measure of the health of the potash industry is the price the nutrient commands on the world market. But whether the price per tonne dips to US$150, as was seen in 2005, or skyrockets to US$900 like in the heady days of 2009, the true guarantor of success in the industry depends on cutting unnecessary expenses, ensuring safety and benefiting from the long-term planning made possible by market-leading processes, equipment and technology.

Challenges: Potash is a Beast

Potash is by no means easy to process; demanding material characteristics combined with unique processing requirements make it a challenge to mine. Since potash is a corrosive material, it can progressively destroy metal through chemical action. Potash creeps its way into nooks and crannies to eat into equipment, and hardens into sharp crystals that can cut and tear into seals.

When Scott Paish of Rittal visited some Potash Mines in Saskatchewan, along with Rittal’s distributor partner, Jonathan Petryk of E. B. Horsman & Son , the doors of the traditional Nema 4X enclosures were falling off due to caustic dust lodging inside the hinges causing corrosion. The potash mines were looking for an enclosure to protect valuable automation, instrumentation and electrical equipment that come into contact with potash during processing. Petryk says, “Our main goal has been to find an enclosure that can withstand the corrosive atmosphere, offer all-round protection, and last longer in potash mines. This will help keep the bludgeoning costs in this potash mining industry down, if the enclosures have some longevity!”

Solutions: Hygienic Design is a protector

After evaluating and introducing Rittal’s Hygienic Design (HD) enclosures in two of the potash mines in Saskatchewan, they became more convinced that they could have hit upon the perfect solution.

  • Smooth stainless steel: HD enclosures are made of high quality stainless steel that resists corrosion, preventing any dirt and debris due to the smooth texture.
  • Secure blue seal: The seals around the enclosure doors often fail due to the corrosive potash destroying them. Rittal’s HD enclosures offer the ability to replace just the distinctive blue seal, not the entire door, thus saving huge costs. Furthermore, the one-piece secure air-tight silicone seal does not leave a gap around door for potash to seep through.
  • Paish adds, “Usually, the mine workers have to use a screwdriver or sharp tool to chip away the corrosion and build-up around the seals, and often, the enclosure gets damaged. With the HD enclosures, this does not happen, leading to valuable savings in time and costs!”
  • Inner hinges: Exposed hinges pose a significant problem, and keep rusting, disintegrating and falling off on all enclosures, no matter who the manufacturer is. Rittal’s HD enclosures are located on the inside of the box. Hence, they are protected against the corrosive dust prevalent in the potash mines.
  • Easy mounting: HD enclosures do not have additional holes for mounting which is an advantage, as they are able to mount them any way they choose by welding directly to the enclosure. This enables them to be fitted into any space or orientation, and the absence of holes means less apertures for the harmful potash dust to creep into and destroy!
  • Steep sloping roof: The 30˚ roof angle allows liquids to run off easily so the HD enclosures can withstand frequent high pressure wash downs, and the steep slope plus the smooth surfaces prevent bacteria and harmful build-ups on the surfaces.

The future looks healthy

In potash mines, it is important to ensure that the critical automation equipment housed inside the enclosures is working efficiently at all times. After all, reduced downtime leads to more potash for fertilizers, and ultimately, increased food production for a healthier, happier world!

Already, Rittal’s TS8 enclosures, climate control and power distribution systems have earned a name for themselves in the potash mines, and now it’s time for Rittal’s Hygienic Design enclosures to shine: they not only last longer for all the reasons mentioned above, but they are easier to mount and move, leading to huge savings in resources and more efficiency!

So far, Rittal’s HD enclosures have been adopted in two of Sasketchewan’s potash mines. Petryk adds, “The good news is that so far, we’ve had nothing but positive feedback on their performance and we are looking forward to expanding their use”. The other potash mines in Sask. have been evaluating various enclosures, and the HD solutions have drawn the most interest. Hopefully, we will soon see these HD solutions being specified for new mining projects, and the future for potash mining will be hygienic and bright!

Rittal’s Hygienic Design solutions have already taken the Food & Beverage industry by storm, and hopefully, they will soon become an ‘industry name’ in the mining, offshore drilling, oil & gas, and other industries where the harshest conditions call for a ground-breaking HD solution!

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Pilz Automation Safety Canada L.P. announces that their long-term CEO and GM, Andreas Sobotta, will assume the role of Vice President North and South America, effective immediately. He will still work from the Canadian office in Mississauga and visit all other subsidiaries in North and South America. Pilz will take their time to find a… Read More…

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…