Magnezit Group, headquartered in Russia, once again opts for process technology from Grenzebach. A second sectional cooler is to start operation at the production plant in Satka, located on the western slope of the Southern Ural Mountains. It will be used there for cooling caustic magnesite. The powder is cooled down from about 800°C to some 100°C. The cooler is about 2.3 m in diameter, 20.5 m long and can process 14 tonnes per hour. "The Magnezit group experts appreciate the special design features of our sectional coolers. Also the one supplied now is equipped with specific internals that prevent the refractory material from caking in the course of the process. That is important because the magnesite goes through a sticky phase during cooling, " explains Patrick Barthel, Sales Manager Process Technology at Grenzebach. And Dmitry Borzov, Development Director at Magnezit Group, adds: "The first sectional cooler we bought from Grenzebach proves its worth day in, day out. That is why we decided to order another one." 

Giant in magnesite mining  

The business deal was brokered by Magnezit Group’s German branch office in Ratingen. The sectional cooler will be operated at a location in Russia that has a long tradition in the industry. The plant in Satka, Chelyabinsk region, has been processing magnesite since 1901. The focus is on the production of basic refractory materials for all industries, in particular for ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy (> 80 per cent), the cement and glass industries, manufacturing engineering, and fertilizer production.  Today, more than 4600 people work at the plant in Satka. The production process in Satka includes all stages of refractory materials production, from extraction of the raw materials at the company’s own deposits via production using latest technologies up to delivery to the customers. The high product quality is supplemented by an international logistics, engineering and service organisation. Magnezit Group is a world leader in the refractories industry today. On the Russian market there is no comparable company that produces magnesite-based refractory materials.  All magnesite raw material processed at the Satka plant comes from the company’s own deposits – proven reserves amount to some 246 million tonnes.  

No product loss through dust   

Sectional coolers are indirectly water-cooled rotary drums for cooling high-temperature (up to 1,400°C) bulk materials. The inside is divided into several sections. When the cooler rotates, cooling water flows through the walls between the sections and through the double-walled drum jacket. The sectional cooler’s water cooling system operates at zero pressure. "The indirect cooling process offers the advantage of working without any product losses caused by entrained dust, which means that dust collection systems are not needed," underlines Grenzebach specialist Barthel. And Dmitry Borzov comments: "The fact that no ancillary equipment is necessary is of course a very good thing for us. We do appreciate the customized configuration provided by Grenzebach. That minimises our capital expenditure." Barthel then lists further benefits of the process technology made in Hesse: The sectional cooler geometry provides for good cooling rates and high throughputs while keeping the size of the unit compact. 

Grenzebach at the Powder Bulk & Solids Show (USA) 

Grenzebach shows holistic solutions for process technology from April 28th to 30th, 2020 at the Powder Bulk & Solids Show in Rosemont,IL. As North America’s largest powder and bulk solids technology event, it welcomes more than 3000 industry professionals. Here Grenzebach experts showcase thermal and mechanical process technology for any kind of bulk material or powder.