EP3481538B1 - Device and process for producing an aqueous solution of urea - Google Patents

Device and process for producing an aqueous solution of urea Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3481538B1
EP3481538B1 EP17734102.1A EP17734102A EP3481538B1 EP 3481538 B1 EP3481538 B1 EP 3481538B1 EP 17734102 A EP17734102 A EP 17734102A EP 3481538 B1 EP3481538 B1 EP 3481538B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
urea
dissolving
solid urea
demineralized water
Prior art date
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Application number
EP17734102.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3481538A1 (en
Inventor
Christophe Gautier
José URIBESALGO
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TotalEnergies Onetech SAS
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Total Marketing Services SA
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Publication of EP3481538A1 publication Critical patent/EP3481538A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F21/00—Dissolving
    • B01F21/30—Workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. flow charts; Details of workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. controlling means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/0033—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F21/00—Dissolving
    • B01F21/20—Dissolving using flow mixing
    • B01F21/22—Dissolving using flow mixing using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
    • B01F21/221—Dissolving using flow mixing using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles comprising constructions for blocking or redispersing undissolved solids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
    • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/50—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/50—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
    • B01F25/53—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle in which the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle through a recirculation tube, into which an additional component is introduced
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/81—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
    • B01F33/813—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles mixing simultaneously in two or more mixing receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/713—Feed mechanisms comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges
    • B01F35/7131—Breaking or perforating packages, containers or vials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/7173—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/0075—Emptying systems for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]
    • B65B69/0083—Emptying systems for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC] using frames whereby the container is only suspended
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/2204—Mixing chemical components in generals in order to improve chemical treatment or reactions, independently from the specific application

Definitions

  • the present invention also relates to a process for producing an aqueous urea solution by means of such a production device.
  • such an aqueous urea solution is used in the selective catalytic reduction process and makes it possible to convert the majority of the nitrogen oxides (Nox) contained in the exhaust gases into nitrogen and nitrogen vapor. water.
  • Such an aqueous urea solution can also be used in the Nox reduction process by direct injection into the combustion fumes of industrial plants.
  • the aqueous urea solution is obtained by diluting liquid concentrated urea or by dissolving solid urea in demineralized water.
  • the production of the aqueous solution can be carried out at a site other than that of the urea production because the transport of solid urea is less restrictive and less expensive than the transport of liquid urea.
  • the solid urea is poured into a mixer containing hot demineralized water and the mixer is operated to mix the urea and water until the solid urea dissolves in the deionized water.
  • Such a method is however not satisfactory. Indeed, manual operations during the introduction of urea into the mixer are necessary.
  • the mixer has a large footprint to ensure good mixing of the products in the mixer.
  • the dimensions of the mixing member, formed by rotating mixing blades, must in fact be sufficient to ensure the stirring and mixing of the entire volume of liquid and solid introduced into the mixer.
  • the means for actuating the mixing member further increase the size of the production device.
  • a device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in document WO-A2-2010 / 018140 .
  • One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing a device for producing a safe aqueous urea solution, which takes up little space and has improved productivity.
  • the invention relates to a device for producing an aqueous urea solution according to claim 1.
  • the production device makes it possible to avoid manual operations for handling solid urea during filling of the tank thanks to the routing device capable of pouring the contents of a solid urea container into the tank. .
  • the size of the device can be reduced because it is the injection of water which is arranged to ensure the dissolution of the solid urea in demineralized water, which eliminates the need for a bulky mixture and means for actuating this mixing member.
  • the positioning of the nozzle near the bottom of the tank under the heap of urea discharged into the tank makes it possible to prevent any release of water vapor or splashing out of the tank during the injection of water in the tank and any release of urea dust when urea is discharged into the tank.
  • a device for producing an aqueous urea solution from solid urea and demineralized water is described.
  • Such an aqueous urea solution forms a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) making it possible to convert the majority of the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases into nitrogen and water vapor.
  • the concentration of urea in aqueous solution is substantially equal to 32.5% and meets the ISO22241 standard.
  • Solid urea is, for example, supplied in the form of solid urea agglomerates.
  • the agglomerates are for example in the form of a ball.
  • the agglomerates are for example transported in containers 1.
  • the containers are for example bags of the “big bag” type with a capacity substantially equal to 1.5 m 3 , corresponding to one tonne of solid urea.
  • Such bags are sealed so that the solid urea is not in contact with the environment and that operators handling the bags do not touch the solid urea contained in the bags.
  • the marbles have for example an average diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm.
  • the solid urea could be supplied in powder form.
  • the production device comprises a storage station 2 for the containers 1.
  • the storage station 2 extends between an inlet 4 at which the containers 1 are introduced into the storage station 2 and an outlet 6 at which the containers are withdrawn from. the storage station 2 to be emptied, as will be described later. Between the inlet 4 and the outlet 6, the storage station 2 comprises for example an inclined ramp 8 allowing the containers to slide towards the outlet under the effect of gravity.
  • the storage station 2 comprises a transfer table 10 intended to receive the container 1 on the point of being withdrawn from the storage station 2.
  • the containers 1 are for example transported on pallets 12 arranged to move on the inclined ramp 8.
  • the storage station 2 comprises, downstream of the transfer table 10, a depalletizer 13 arranged to separate the container 1 from the pallet 12 on which it is deposited.
  • the storage station 2 can include several parallel ramps.
  • a container 1 On leaving the storage station 2, a container 1 is placed on the transfer table 10 and is positioned on the table of the depalletizer 13, to be picked up by a routing device 14 allowing the transport of a container 1.
  • the conveying device 14 comprises at least one rail 16 on which a gripping element 18 is movable in translation.
  • the rail 16 extends in an upstream-downstream direction between an upstream end 20 extending above the outlet 6 of the storage station 2 and a downstream end 22 extending above a recovery station 24 of empty containers 1, described later. Between the upstream end 20 and the downstream end 22, the rail 16 extends above one or more devices 26 for producing the aqueous urea solution, as will be described later.
  • the routing device 14 comprises two rails 16 parallel to one another and supporting between them the gripping element 18.
  • the gripping element 18 is formed by a main clamp 28 and by a secondary clamp 30.
  • the main clamp 28 is arranged to grip a filled container 1 by its side walls 32 and allows this container 1 to be transported along the rail.
  • the secondary gripper 30 is designed to grip a container 1 by its upper end part 34 which for example forms a knot when the container 1 is closed.
  • the main clamp 28 makes it possible to transport the container when it is filled while the secondary clamp 30 makes it possible to transport the container. container when emptied, as will be described later.
  • the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps each comprise two jaws 36 movable relative to each other between a close position and a separated position making it possible to adjust the spacing of the clamps.
  • the actuation of the grippers is for example carried out by jacks 38 provided at one end of the jaws 36, as shown in FIG. Fig. 2 .
  • the gripping element 18 in addition to moving in translation along the rail (s) 16, is also movable in translation relative to the rail (s) 16 in an elevation direction substantially perpendicular to the upstream direction -downstream. This movement makes it possible to vary the distance between the gripping element 18 and the stations and devices above which the gripping element 18 moves.
  • the gripping element comprises for example a carriage 40 movable in translation in the upstream-downstream direction on the rail or rails 16, the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps being mounted movable in translation in the direction of elevation on the cart 40.
  • a device 26 for dissolving solid urea in deionized water is now described.
  • the dissolution device 26 comprises a tank 42 adapted to receive the solid urea contained in a container 1. More particularly, the solid urea is received in a tank 46 partially immersed in the tank 42.
  • the tank 42 has a capacity of liquid capacity for example between 3.0 m 3 and 3.4 m 3 , which allows the tank 42 to contain all the aqueous urea solution produced from the solid urea contained in a container 1 as described above .
  • An opening unit 48 of the container 1 extends substantially in the center of the upper part of the tank 46 to allow the opening of the bag when it is introduced into the upper part of the tank 46.
  • the opening unit 48 comprises for example a diamond tip 50 equipped with cutting knives arranged to tear the bottom of the container 1 and thus release the urea contained in the container 1 which can flow into the bottom of the tank 46 by gravity.
  • a filter element 47 is provided across the tank 46 in order to filter the solid urea flowing into the tank 46. More particularly, the filter element 47, for example a grating or a grid, makes it possible to prevent urea agglomerates of too large size from falling into the tank 46, which would risk damaging the demineralized water injection nozzles which will be described later.
  • the filter element 47 comprises openings adapted to allow the passage of urea agglomerates of an average diameter smaller than a predetermined average diameter and to prevent the passage of agglomerates of an average diameter greater than the predetermined average diameter. .
  • the predetermined mean diameter is by example substantially equal to 3 mm.
  • the filter element 47 also makes it possible to prevent the passage of pieces of the container 1, these pieces being able to detach from the container 1 when the opening unit 48 has torn the bottom of the container 1.
  • At least the submerged part of the tank 46 is formed by a basket 52, for example in perforated sheets, that is to say provided with a plurality of openings allowing fluid communication between the contents of the basket and the internal volume of the tank. the tank 42.
  • the volume occupied by the basket 52 in the internal volume of the tank 42 is for example between 1.5 m 3 and 2 m 3 , for example equal to 1.7 m 3 .
  • the tank 46 is formed by an upper part projecting from the tank 42 and the walls of which are closed to prevent any escape of solid urea out of the tank and from a lower part s 'extending into the internal volume of the tank 42 and formed by a basket 52 as described above.
  • the dissolving device 26 further comprises at least one nozzle for injecting water 54 into the internal volume of the basket 52.
  • the injection nozzle 54 makes it possible to inject water into the internal volume of the basket 52 in order to dissolving the heap of solid urea formed during the opening of the container 1.
  • the injection nozzle 54 is connected by an inlet 56 to a source of water and to means for heating the water.
  • the water is demineralized water, for example reverse osmosis water heated to a temperature between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, generally around 45 ° C.
  • the injection nozzle 54 is located at the bottom of the basket 52, in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank 42.
  • Such an arrangement in which the injection nozzle 54 injects the water into the heap of urea placed in the tank 46 allows to create a water turbulence under the surface of the solid urea in order to dissolve the solid urea in the demineralized water.
  • the injection nozzle 54 comprises for example an outlet oriented towards the bottom of the tank 42 and through which the water is injected and a deflector 55 extending opposite the outlet and oriented at 45 ° towards the top of the tank 46 , that is to say towards the upper part of the tank 46, in order to redirect the water injected towards the pile of urea in the basket 52.
  • a deflector 55 extending opposite the outlet and oriented at 45 ° towards the top of the tank 46 , that is to say towards the upper part of the tank 46, in order to redirect the water injected towards the pile of urea in the basket 52.
  • injection nozzles 54 are distributed at the bottom of the basket 52 so as to inject hot water under the entire solid urea heap and thus allow the base of the solid urea heap to dissolve uniformly.
  • urea located opposite the back of the basket 52.
  • sixteen injection nozzles 54 forming rows and columns of four nozzles at the back of the basket 52 are provided.
  • Each injection nozzle 54 has for example a flow rate substantially between 2 m 3 / hour and 3 m 3 / hour so that 2.1 m 3 of water can be injected into tank 42 in 3 minutes.
  • the solution of urea and demineralized water formed flows through the perforations of the basket 52 into the tank 42.
  • the dissolution device 26 further comprises at least one recirculation nozzle 58 provided in the tank 42 and arranged to homogenize the liquid present in the tank 42. More particularly, as shown in FIG. Fig. 4 , the dissolution device 26 comprises for example a recirculation circuit 60 formed by a pipe provided with recirculation nozzles 58 and connected to an inlet 57. The pipe is arranged along the bottom of the tank 42 and makes it possible to create a flow of circulation of liquid in the tank so that the liquid in the tank is mixed. The dissolution device 26 finally comprises a liquid outlet 62 arranged at the bottom and at one end of the tank 42.
  • the outlet 62 is connected to a pump (not shown) which makes it possible either to feed the inlet 57 to perform the recirculation. , or to empty the tank 42 into a storage tank (not shown) for the aqueous urea solution produced in the dissolving device 26.
  • the recirculation pump has for example a flow rate substantially equal to 40 m 3 / h.
  • the dissolution device 26 described above makes it possible to produce, from a container of 1 T of solid urea and 2.1 m3 of reverse osmosis water heated to a temperature between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, generally around 45 ° C, 2.85 m 3 of aqueous urea solution concentrated in urea at 32.5%.
  • obtaining 1 m3 of aqueous urea solution concentrated in 32.5% urea requires the mixture of 0.736 m3 of water at 45 ° C. and 0354 T of urea.
  • about fifteen minutes have elapsed, as will be described later.
  • Such a dissolution device makes it possible to produce an aqueous urea solution meeting the ISO22241 standard using in a single deposition step all of the solid urea contained in a container.
  • the size of the dissolution device can be reduced since the volume of the tank can be adjusted to the quantity of water necessary for the dissolution of all of the solid urea contained in a container 1 to produce the aqueous solution of urea at the desired concentration without requiring a mobile mixing element, of the rotary mixer type.
  • the dissolution device does not require means for actuating such a mobile mixing element outside the tank.
  • the production of an aqueous urea solution can be optimized by providing several dissolving devices 26 as described above.
  • two dissolution devices 26 can be used.
  • This allows the delivery device 14 to be used to deliver a container 1 to the second dissolution device 26 while the Dissolution of the solid urea from a first container takes place in the first dissolving device.
  • the production process is however particularly improved by using three dissolving devices 26, as shown in Fig. Fig. 1 .
  • the three dissolution devices 26 are arranged side by side in the upstream-downstream direction under the delivery device 14, as shown in Figure Fig. 1 .
  • a method of producing an aqueous urea solution by means of a production device comprising three dissolving devices 26 will now be described in more detail.
  • the storage station 2 is provided with containers 1, at least of which is located at the outlet 6 of the storage station 2, either on the table 10 or on the depalletizer 13.
  • the gripping element 18 of the conveying device 14 is positioned above the outlet 5 and is lowered with the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps in the open position.
  • the main clamp 28 is brought around the side walls 32 of the container 1
  • the secondary clamp 30 is located opposite the loop 34 formed at the upper end of the container 1.
  • the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps are then placed in position. closed and the gripping element 18 is raised to lift the container 1.
  • the gripping element 18 then moves along the rail (s) 16 until it is above the inlet housing 46 of the first dissolving device 26.
  • the gripping element 18 is then lowered again to make penetrate the bottom of the container 1 into the tank 46.
  • the bottom of the container 1 is torn by the opening device 48 so that the solid urea empties and forms a pile in the basket 52 passing through the filter element 47 of the tank 42.
  • the upper part of the tank 46 makes it possible to prevent solid urea from spilling out of the dissolving device 26.
  • the gripping element 18 is raised while the container 1 is still held by the secondary clamp 30.
  • the gripping element 18 carrying the empty container 1 is then moved along the rail (s) 16 until it is above the recovery station 24.
  • the secondary clamp 30 is then opened and the empty container 1 is released into the recovery station ration 24.
  • the gripping element 18 is returned to the outlet 6 of the storage station 2 where it grasps a new container 1 and brings it to the second dissolution device 26.
  • the operations described above are repeated by the gripping element 18. then the gripping element repeats the operations for the third dissolution device 26.
  • the step of conveying a container above a dissolution device 26, shown in hatched lines on the Fig. 5 takes about three minutes.
  • Step of puncture of container 1 and discharge of solid urea into tank 46, shown in black on the Fig. 5 takes about a minute.
  • the gripping element 18 is then brought to the recovery station 24 then to the outlet 6 of the storage station 2, where it is again available to carry out a new routing step to another dissolution device 26 .
  • the recirculation nozzle (s) 58 are put into operation in order to homogenize the mixture of water and urea in the tank.
  • This step begins within one minute of the start of the water injection step and lasts approximately 5 minutes.
  • the solid urea contained in container 1 has been completely dissolved in water and tank 42 contains the desired aqueous urea solution.
  • the emptying of the tank through the outlet 62 can then begin to transfer the aqueous urea solution to the storage tank.
  • the emptying of the tank 42 lasts approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
  • a mass density meter may be provided to safeguard the characteristics of the aqueous urea solution obtained, for example its urea concentration.
  • Each dissolution device 26 operates with a 4 minute lag with the preceding or following dissolution device 26.
  • the step of dissolving in the second dissolving device 26 begins four minutes after that in the first dissolving device 26 and four minutes before that in the third dissolving device 26.
  • the recirculation step occurs in the second dissolving device 26 and the emptying of the vessel 42 of the third dissolving device 26 takes place.
  • Such a device and production process make it possible to produce an aqueous urea solution meeting the requirements of the ISO22241 standard while optimizing the use of available water resources (tank of 140 m 3 of cold demineralized water and 6 m 3 of heated water), the flow rates imposed by the emptying pumps of the tanks 42 (approximately 40 m 3 / h) and the number of storage tanks for aqueous urea solution (for example three tanks of 140 m 3 ) of one site for the production of the aqueous urea solution.
  • the size of the production device is reduced thanks to the use of the dissolution devices 26.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée à partir d'urée solide et d'eau déminéralisée, du type comprenant :

  • au moins un dispositif de dissolution de l'urée solide dans l'eau déminéralisée, dans lequel l'urée solide est dissoute dans l'eau déminéralisée afin de former une solution aqueuse d'urée, ledit dispositif de dissolution comprenant une cuve de réception de l'urée solide et de l'eau déminéralisée et une sortie de récupération de la solution aqueuse d'urée,
  • une station de stockage de l'urée solide,
  • un dispositif d'acheminement de l'urée solide de la station de stockage au dispositif de dissolution, ledit dispositif d'acheminement étant agencé pour déverser de l'urée solide dans la cuve du dispositif de dissolution.
The present invention relates to a device for producing an aqueous solution of urea from solid urea and demineralized water, of the type comprising:
  • at least one device for dissolving solid urea in demineralized water, in which the solid urea is dissolved in demineralized water in order to form an aqueous urea solution, said dissolving device comprising a receiving tank for solid urea and demineralized water and an outlet for recovering the aqueous urea solution,
  • a solid urea storage station,
  • a device for conveying the solid urea from the storage station to the dissolving device, said conveying device being arranged to discharge solid urea into the tank of the dissolving device.

La présente invention concerne également un procédé de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée au moyen d'un tel dispositif de production.The present invention also relates to a process for producing an aqueous urea solution by means of such a production device.

De façon connue, une telle solution aqueuse d'urée est utilisée dans le processus de réduction catalytique sélective et permettant de convertir la plus grande partie des oxydes d'azote (Nox) contenus dans les gaz d'échappement en azote et en vapeur d'eau.In a known manner, such an aqueous urea solution is used in the selective catalytic reduction process and makes it possible to convert the majority of the nitrogen oxides (Nox) contained in the exhaust gases into nitrogen and nitrogen vapor. water.

Une telle solution aqueuse d'urée peut également être utilisée dans le processus de réduction des Nox par injection directe dans les fumées de combustion des installations industrielles.Such an aqueous urea solution can also be used in the Nox reduction process by direct injection into the combustion fumes of industrial plants.

La solution aqueuse d'urée est obtenue par dilution d'urée concentrée liquide ou par dissolution d'urée solide dans de l'eau déminéralisée.The aqueous urea solution is obtained by diluting liquid concentrated urea or by dissolving solid urea in demineralized water.

Dans le cas d'une dilution d'urée liquide, le mélange avec l'eau déminéralisée est réalisé sur le site de production de l'urée afin d'éviter tout transport d'urée liquide concentrée. Un tel procédé de production est contraignant car il doit être réalisé sur le site de production d'urée.In the case of dilution of liquid urea, mixing with demineralized water is carried out on the urea production site in order to avoid any transport of concentrated liquid urea. Such a production process is restrictive because it must be carried out on the urea production site.

Lorsque de l'urée solide est dissoute dans l'eau déminéralisée, la production de la solution aqueuse peut être réalisée sur un autre site que celui de la production d'urée car le transport d'urée solide est moins contraignant et moins onéreux que le transport d'urée liquide. Dans ce cas, l'urée solide est déversée dans un mélangeur contenant de l'eau chaude déminéralisée et le mélangeur est actionné pour mélanger l'urée et l'eau jusqu'à dissolution de l'urée solide dans l'eau déminéralisée. Un tel procédé n'est cependant pas satisfaisant. En effet, des opérations manuelles lors de l'introduction de l'urée dans le mélangeur sont nécessaires. En outre, pour assurer la production d'un volume satisfaisant de solution aqueuse d'urée, le mélangeur présente un encombrement important pour assurer un bon mélange des produits dans le mélangeur. Les dimensions de l'organe de mélange, formé par des lames de mélange mobiles en rotation, doivent en effet être suffisantes pour assurer le brassage et le mélange de tout le volume de liquide et de solide introduits dans le mélangeur. En outre, les moyens d'actionnement de l'organe de mélange augmentent encore l'encombrement du dispositif de production.When solid urea is dissolved in demineralized water, the production of the aqueous solution can be carried out at a site other than that of the urea production because the transport of solid urea is less restrictive and less expensive than the transport of liquid urea. In this case, the solid urea is poured into a mixer containing hot demineralized water and the mixer is operated to mix the urea and water until the solid urea dissolves in the deionized water. Such a method is however not satisfactory. Indeed, manual operations during the introduction of urea into the mixer are necessary. In addition, to ensure the production of a satisfactory volume of aqueous urea solution, the mixer has a large footprint to ensure good mixing of the products in the mixer. The dimensions of the mixing member, formed by rotating mixing blades, must in fact be sufficient to ensure the stirring and mixing of the entire volume of liquid and solid introduced into the mixer. In addition, the means for actuating the mixing member further increase the size of the production device.

De tels dispositifs de production ne sont donc pas satisfaisants car ils sont trop encombrants et ont des productivités faibles.Such production devices are therefore not satisfactory because they are too bulky and have low productivities.

Un dispositif selon le préambule de la revendication 1 est divulgué dans le document WO-A2-2010/018140 .A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in document WO-A2-2010 / 018140 .

L'un des buts de l'invention est de pallier les inconvénients ci-dessus en proposant un dispositif de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée sûr, peu encombrant et ayant une productivité améliorée.One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing a device for producing a safe aqueous urea solution, which takes up little space and has improved productivity.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un dispositif de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée selon la revendication 1.To this end, the invention relates to a device for producing an aqueous urea solution according to claim 1.

Le dispositif de production selon l'invention permet d'éviter les opérations manuelles de manipulation de l'urée solide lors du remplissage de la cuve grâce au dispositif d'acheminement apte à déverser le contenu d'un contenant d'urée solide dans la cuve. En outre, l'encombrement du dispositif peut être réduit car c'est l'injection d'eau qui est agencée pour assurer la dissolution de l'urée solide dans l'eau déminéralisée, ce qui permet de se passer d'un organe de mélange encombrant et de moyens d'actionnement de cet organe de mélange. De plus, le positionnement de la buse au voisinage du fond de la cuve sous le tas d'urée déversé dans la cuve permet d'éviter tout dégagement de vapeur d'eau ou les éclaboussures hors de la cuve lors de l'injection d'eau dans la cuve et tout dégagement de poussière d'urée lors du déversement de l'urée dans la cuve.The production device according to the invention makes it possible to avoid manual operations for handling solid urea during filling of the tank thanks to the routing device capable of pouring the contents of a solid urea container into the tank. . In addition, the size of the device can be reduced because it is the injection of water which is arranged to ensure the dissolution of the solid urea in demineralized water, which eliminates the need for a bulky mixture and means for actuating this mixing member. In addition, the positioning of the nozzle near the bottom of the tank under the heap of urea discharged into the tank makes it possible to prevent any release of water vapor or splashing out of the tank during the injection of water in the tank and any release of urea dust when urea is discharged into the tank.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques du dispositif de production selon l'invention, prises isolément ou selon toute combinaison techniquement possible :

  • le dispositif de production comprend au moins deux dispositifs de dissolution, le dispositif d'acheminement étant agencé pour déverser consécutivement de l'urée solide dans la cuve de l'un des dispositifs de dissolution puis dans la cuve de l'autre dispositif de dissolution ;
  • le dispositif de production comprend trois dispositifs de dissolution, le dispositif d'acheminement étant agencé pour déverser consécutivement de l'urée solide dans les cuves desdits dispositifs de dissolution ;
  • le dispositif de dissolution comprend au moins une buse de recirculation du liquide dans la cuve, ladite buse de recirculation étant agencée pour homogénéiser la solution aqueuse d'urée dans la cuve ;
  • la station de stockage est agencée pour stocker des contenants d'agglomérats d'urée, le dispositif d'acheminement comprenant un élément de préhension d'un contenant et au moins un rail sur lequel se déplace l'élément de préhension pour déplacer le contenant jusqu'à la cuve d'un dispositif de dissolution, ledit dispositif de dissolution comprenant une unité d'ouverture du contenant ;
  • les contenants d'agglomérats d'urée sont formés par des sacs, l'élément de préhension et le rail étant agencés pour amener un contenant au-dessus de la cuve du dispositif de dissolution, l'unité d'ouverture comprenant au moins une pointe diamant équipée de couteaux coupants s'étendant au droit de la cuve et étant agencée pour déchirer le fond du contenant de sorte que les agglomérats d'urée se déversent dans la cuve sous l'effet de la gravité lorsque le fond du contenant a été déchiré ;
  • le dispositif de production comprend une station de récupération des contenants après qu'ils ont été vidés, l'élément de préhension et le rail étant agencés pour amener le contenant à ladite station de récupération une fois que l'urée solide a été déversée dudit contenant dans une cuve ;
  • un bac de réception de l'urée solide est en partie immergé dans la cuve, au moins la partie immergée dudit bac formant un panier en communication fluidique avec le volume intérieur de la cuve de sorte que l'urée contenue dans le bac baigne dans l'eau déminéralisée dans la cuve ; et
  • la cuve comprend un élément de filtrage au travers duquel l'urée solide est déversée dans la cuve, ledit élément de filtrage étant agencé pour retenir des agglomérats d'urée solide d'un diamètre moyen supérieur à un diamètre moyen prédéterminé.
According to other characteristics of the production device according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:
  • the production device comprises at least two dissolution devices, the conveying device being arranged to consecutively discharge solid urea into the tank of one of the dissolution devices and then into the tank of the other dissolution device;
  • the production device comprises three dissolution devices, the conveying device being arranged to consecutively discharge solid urea into the tanks of said dissolution devices;
  • the dissolution device comprises at least one nozzle for recirculating the liquid in the tank, said recirculation nozzle being arranged to homogenize the aqueous urea solution in the tank;
  • the storage station is arranged to store containers of urea agglomerates, the conveying device comprising a gripping element of a container and at least one rail on which the gripping element moves to move the container up to 'to the tank of a dissolution device, said dissolution device comprising a unit for opening the container;
  • the urea agglomerates containers are formed by bags, the gripping element and the rail being arranged to bring a container above the tank of the dissolution device, the opening unit comprising at least one tip diamond equipped with sharp knives extending in line with the tank and being arranged to tear the bottom of the container so that the urea agglomerates flow into the tank under the effect of gravity when the bottom of the container has been torn ;
  • the production device comprises a station for recovering the containers after they have been emptied, the gripping element and the rail being arranged to bring the container to said recovery station once the solid urea has been discharged from said container in a tank;
  • a solid urea receiving tank is partially immersed in the tank, at least the submerged part of said tank forming a basket in fluid communication with the interior volume of the tank so that the urea contained in the tank is bathed in the demineralized water in the tank; and
  • the vessel comprises a filter element through which solid urea is discharged into the vessel, said filter element being arranged to retain solid urea agglomerates of an average diameter greater than a predetermined average diameter.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée à partir d'urée solide et d'eau déminéralisée au moyen d'un dispositif de production tel que décrit ci-dessus, selon la revendication 10, comprenant les étapes suivantes :

  • acheminer de l'urée solide de la station de stockage à la cuve d'un dispositif de dissolution et déverser l'urée solide dans ladite cuve au moyen du dispositif d'acheminement de sorte à former un tas d'urée solide dans ladite cuve,
  • injecter de l'eau déminéralisée dans la cuve sous le tas d'urée solide de sorte à dissoudre l'urée dans l'eau déminéralisée et former la solution aqueuse d'urée dans la cuve,
  • récupérer la solution aqueuse d'urée de la cuve.
The invention also relates to a process for producing an aqueous solution of urea from solid urea and demineralized water by means of a production device as described above, according to claim 10, comprising the following: following steps :
  • conveying solid urea from the storage station to the vessel of a dissolving device and discharging the solid urea into said vessel by means of the conveying device so as to form a pile of solid urea in said vessel,
  • inject demineralized water into the tank under the solid urea heap so as to dissolve the urea in the demineralized water and form the aqueous urea solution in the tank,
  • recover the aqueous urea solution from the tank.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques du procédé de production :

  • l'eau déminéralisée est injectée à une température sensiblement comprise entre 30°C et 50°C dans la cuve ; et
  • le dispositif d'acheminement achemine et déverse de l'urée solide dans la cuve de l'un des dispositifs de dissolution puis dans la cuve d'un autre dispositif de dissolution, l'injection d'eau déminéralisée dans lesdites cuves débutant dès qu'un tas d'urée solide est formé dans lesdites cuves de sorte que le début de la dissolution dans un dispositif de dissolution est décalé dans le temps par rapport au début de la dissolution dans un autre dispositif de dissolution.
According to other characteristics of the production process:
  • demineralized water is injected at a temperature substantially between 30 ° C and 50 ° C into the tank; and
  • the conveying device conveys and discharges solid urea into the tank of one of the dissolution devices then into the tank of another dissolution device, the injection of demineralized water into said tanks starting as soon as a heap of solid urea is formed in said vessels such that the start of dissolution in one dissolver is offset in time from the start of dissolution in another dissolver.

D'autres aspects et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui suit, donnée à titre d'exemple et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la Fig. 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée selon l'invention,
  • la Fig. 2 est une représentation schématique de côté d'une partie du dispositif de production de la Fig. 1,
  • la Fig. 3 est une représentation schématique en perspective d'un dispositif de dissolution du dispositif de production de la Fig. 1,
  • la Fig. 4 est une représentation schématique en coupe selon l'axe IV-IV de la Fig. 3, et
  • la Fig. 5 est un graphique représentant les cycles de production de la solution aqueuse d'urée par le dispositif de production selon l'invention.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for producing an aqueous urea solution according to the invention,
  • the Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of part of the production device of the Fig. 1 ,
  • the Fig. 3 is a schematic representation in perspective of a device for dissolving the device for producing the Fig. 1 ,
  • the Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional representation along axis IV-IV of the Fig. 3 , and
  • the Fig. 5 is a graph representing the production cycles of the aqueous urea solution by the production device according to the invention.

En référence à la Fig. 1, on décrit un dispositif de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée à partir d'urée solide et d'eau déminéralisée. Une telle solution aqueuse d'urée forme un fluide d'échappement Diesel (FED) permettant de convertir la plus grande partie des oxydes d'azote contenus dans les gaz d'échappement en azote et en vapeur d'eau. La concentration d'urée en solution aqueuse est sensiblement égale à 32,5 % et répond à la norme ISO22241.With reference to the Fig. 1 , a device for producing an aqueous urea solution from solid urea and demineralized water is described. Such an aqueous urea solution forms a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) making it possible to convert the majority of the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases into nitrogen and water vapor. The concentration of urea in aqueous solution is substantially equal to 32.5% and meets the ISO22241 standard.

L'urée solide est par exemple fournie sous la forme d'agglomérats d'urée solide. Les agglomérats se présentent par exemple sous la forme de bille. Les agglomérats sont par exemple transportés dans des contenants 1. Les contenants sont par exemple des sacs du type « big bag » (grand sac) d'une contenance sensiblement égale à 1.5 m3, correspondant à une tonne d'urée solide. De tels sacs sont fermés de façon étanche de sorte que l'urée solide n'est pas en contact avec l'environnement et que des opérateurs manipulant les sacs ne touchent pas l'urée solide contenue dans les sacs. Les billes présentent par exemple un diamètre moyen compris entre 1 mm et 3 mm En variante, l'urée solide pourrait être fournie sous forme de poudre.Solid urea is, for example, supplied in the form of solid urea agglomerates. The agglomerates are for example in the form of a ball. The agglomerates are for example transported in containers 1. The containers are for example bags of the “big bag” type with a capacity substantially equal to 1.5 m 3 , corresponding to one tonne of solid urea. Such bags are sealed so that the solid urea is not in contact with the environment and that operators handling the bags do not touch the solid urea contained in the bags. The marbles have for example an average diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm. Alternatively, the solid urea could be supplied in powder form.

Le dispositif de production comprend une station de stockage 2 des contenants 1. La station de stockage 2 s'étend entre une entrée 4 à laquelle les contenants 1 sont introduits dans la station de stockage 2 et une sortie 6 à laquelle les contenants sont retirés de la station de stockage 2 pour être vidés, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Entre l'entrée 4 et la sortie 6, la station de stockage 2 comprend par exemple une rampe inclinée 8 permettant aux contenants de glisser vers la sortie sous l'effet de la gravité. En sortie, la station de stockage 2 comprend une table de transfert 10 destinée à recevoir le contenant 1 sur le point d'être retiré de la station de stockage 2. Les contenants 1 sont par exemple transportés sur des palettes 12 agencées pour se déplacer sur la rampe inclinée 8. Dans ce cas, la station de stockage 2 comprend, en aval de la table de transfert 10, un dépalettiseur 13 agencé pour séparer le contenant 1 de la palette 12 sur laquelle il est déposé.The production device comprises a storage station 2 for the containers 1. The storage station 2 extends between an inlet 4 at which the containers 1 are introduced into the storage station 2 and an outlet 6 at which the containers are withdrawn from. the storage station 2 to be emptied, as will be described later. Between the inlet 4 and the outlet 6, the storage station 2 comprises for example an inclined ramp 8 allowing the containers to slide towards the outlet under the effect of gravity. At the output, the storage station 2 comprises a transfer table 10 intended to receive the container 1 on the point of being withdrawn from the storage station 2. The containers 1 are for example transported on pallets 12 arranged to move on the inclined ramp 8. In this case, the storage station 2 comprises, downstream of the transfer table 10, a depalletizer 13 arranged to separate the container 1 from the pallet 12 on which it is deposited.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la station de stockage 2 peut comprendre plusieurs rampes parallèles.According to one embodiment, the storage station 2 can include several parallel ramps.

En sortie de la station de stockage 2, un contenant 1 est placé sur la table de transfert 10 et est positionné sur la table du dépalettiseur 13, pour être prélevés par un dispositif d'acheminement 14 permettant le transport d'un contenant 1. Le dispositif d'acheminement 14 comprend au moins un rail 16 sur lequel un élément de préhension 18 est mobile en translation.On leaving the storage station 2, a container 1 is placed on the transfer table 10 and is positioned on the table of the depalletizer 13, to be picked up by a routing device 14 allowing the transport of a container 1. The conveying device 14 comprises at least one rail 16 on which a gripping element 18 is movable in translation.

Le rail 16 s'étend selon une direction amont-aval entre une extrémité amont 20 s'étendant au-dessus de la sortie 6 de la station de stockage 2 et une extrémité aval 22 s'étendant au-dessus d'une station de récupération 24 de contenants 1 vides, décrite ultérieurement. Entre l'extrémité amont 20 et l'extrémité aval 22, le rail 16 s'étend au-dessus d'un ou plusieurs dispositifs de production 26 de la solution aqueuse d'urée, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur la Fig. 2, le dispositif d'acheminement 14 comprend deux rails 16 parallèles l'un à l'autre et supportant entre eux l'élément de préhension 18.The rail 16 extends in an upstream-downstream direction between an upstream end 20 extending above the outlet 6 of the storage station 2 and a downstream end 22 extending above a recovery station 24 of empty containers 1, described later. Between the upstream end 20 and the downstream end 22, the rail 16 extends above one or more devices 26 for producing the aqueous urea solution, as will be described later. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 , the routing device 14 comprises two rails 16 parallel to one another and supporting between them the gripping element 18.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur la Fig. 2, l'élément de préhension 18 est formé par une pince principale 28 et par une pince secondaire 30. La pince principale 28 est agencée pour saisir un contenant rempli 1 par ses parois latérales 32 et permet de transporter ce contenant 1 le long du rail. La pince secondaire 30 est agencée pour saisir un contenant 1 par sa partie extrême supérieure 34 qui forme par exemple un nœud lorsque le contenant 1 est fermé. Ainsi, la pince principale 28 permet de transporter le contenant lorsqu'il est rempli tandis que la pince secondaire 30 permet de transporter le contenant lorsqu'il est vidé, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Les pinces principale 28 et secondaire 30 comprennent chacune deux mors 36 mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre entre une position rapprochée et une position écartée permettant de régler l'écartement des pinces. L'actionnement des pinces est par exemple réalisé par des vérins 38 prévus à une extrémité des mors 36, comme représenté sur la Fig. 2.According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 , the gripping element 18 is formed by a main clamp 28 and by a secondary clamp 30. The main clamp 28 is arranged to grip a filled container 1 by its side walls 32 and allows this container 1 to be transported along the rail. The secondary gripper 30 is designed to grip a container 1 by its upper end part 34 which for example forms a knot when the container 1 is closed. Thus, the main clamp 28 makes it possible to transport the container when it is filled while the secondary clamp 30 makes it possible to transport the container. container when emptied, as will be described later. The main 28 and secondary 30 clamps each comprise two jaws 36 movable relative to each other between a close position and a separated position making it possible to adjust the spacing of the clamps. The actuation of the grippers is for example carried out by jacks 38 provided at one end of the jaws 36, as shown in FIG. Fig. 2 .

L'élément de préhension 18, en plus de se déplacer en translation le long du ou des rails 16, est également mobile en translation par rapport au(x) rail(s) 16 selon une direction d'élévation sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction amont-aval. Ce déplacement permet de faire varier la distance entre l'élément de préhension 18 et les stations et dispositifs au-dessus desquels l'élément de préhension 18 se déplace. Pour ce faire, l'élément de préhension comprend par exemple un charriot 40 mobile en translation selon la direction amont-aval sur le ou les rails 16, les pinces principale 28 et secondaire 30 étant montées mobiles en translation selon la direction d'élévation sur le charriot 40.The gripping element 18, in addition to moving in translation along the rail (s) 16, is also movable in translation relative to the rail (s) 16 in an elevation direction substantially perpendicular to the upstream direction -downstream. This movement makes it possible to vary the distance between the gripping element 18 and the stations and devices above which the gripping element 18 moves. To do this, the gripping element comprises for example a carriage 40 movable in translation in the upstream-downstream direction on the rail or rails 16, the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps being mounted movable in translation in the direction of elevation on the cart 40.

On décrit à présent un dispositif de dissolution 26 de l'urée solide dans l'eau déminéralisée.A device 26 for dissolving solid urea in deionized water is now described.

Le dispositif de dissolution 26 comprend une cuve 42 adaptée pour recevoir l'urée solide contenue dans un contenant 1. Plus particulièrement, l'urée solide est reçue dans un bac 46 en partie immergé dans la cuve 42. La cuve 42 présente une capacité de contenance de liquide par exemple comprise entre 3.0 m3 et 3.4 m3, ce qui permet à la cuve 42 de contenir toute la solution aqueuse d'urée produite à partir de l'urée solide contenue dans un contenant 1 tel que décrit ci-dessus.The dissolution device 26 comprises a tank 42 adapted to receive the solid urea contained in a container 1. More particularly, the solid urea is received in a tank 46 partially immersed in the tank 42. The tank 42 has a capacity of liquid capacity for example between 3.0 m 3 and 3.4 m 3 , which allows the tank 42 to contain all the aqueous urea solution produced from the solid urea contained in a container 1 as described above .

Une unité d'ouverture 48 du contenant 1 s'étend sensiblement au centre de la partie supérieure du bac 46 afin de permettre l'ouverture du sac lorsqu'il est introduit dans la partie supérieure du bac 46. L'unité d'ouverture 48 comprend par exemple une pointe diamant 50 équipée de couteaux coupants agencés pour déchirer le fond du contenant 1 et ainsi libérer l'urée contenue dans le contenant 1 qui peut se déverser dans le fond du bac 46 par gravité.An opening unit 48 of the container 1 extends substantially in the center of the upper part of the tank 46 to allow the opening of the bag when it is introduced into the upper part of the tank 46. The opening unit 48 comprises for example a diamond tip 50 equipped with cutting knives arranged to tear the bottom of the container 1 and thus release the urea contained in the container 1 which can flow into the bottom of the tank 46 by gravity.

Sous l'unité d'ouverture 48, un élément de filtrage 47 est prévu en travers du bac 46 afin de filtrer l'urée solide se déversant dans le bac 46. Plus particulièrement, l'élément de filtrage 47, par exemple un caillebottis ou une grille, permet d'empêcher des agglomérats d'urée de trop grande taille de tomber dans le bac 46, ce qui risquerait d'endommager les buses d'injection d'eau déminéralisée qui seront décrites ultérieurement. A cet effet, l'élément de filtrage 47 comprend des ouvertures adaptées pour laisser passer les agglomérats d'urée d'un diamètre moyen inférieur à un diamètre moyen prédéterminé et pour empêcher le passage des agglomérats d'un diamètre moyen supérieur au diamètre moyen prédéterminé. Le diamètre moyen prédéterminé est par exemple sensiblement égal à 3 mm. L'élément de filtrage 47 permet également d'empêcher le passage de morceaux du contenant 1, ces morceaux pouvant se détacher du contenant 1 lorsque l'unité d'ouverture 48 a déchiré le fond du contenant 1.Under the opening unit 48, a filter element 47 is provided across the tank 46 in order to filter the solid urea flowing into the tank 46. More particularly, the filter element 47, for example a grating or a grid, makes it possible to prevent urea agglomerates of too large size from falling into the tank 46, which would risk damaging the demineralized water injection nozzles which will be described later. For this purpose, the filter element 47 comprises openings adapted to allow the passage of urea agglomerates of an average diameter smaller than a predetermined average diameter and to prevent the passage of agglomerates of an average diameter greater than the predetermined average diameter. . The predetermined mean diameter is by example substantially equal to 3 mm. The filter element 47 also makes it possible to prevent the passage of pieces of the container 1, these pieces being able to detach from the container 1 when the opening unit 48 has torn the bottom of the container 1.

Au moins la partie immergée du bac 46 est formée par un panier 52, par exemple en tôles perforées, c'est-à-dire pourvues d'une pluralité d'ouvertures permettant la communication fluidique entre le contenu du panier et le volume interne de la cuve 42. Le volume occupé par le panier 52 dans le volume interne de la cuve 42 est par exemple compris entre 1.5 m3 et 2 m3, par exemple égal à 1.7 m3. Selon un mode de réalisation, le bac 46 est formé d'une partie supérieure s'étendant en saillie de la cuve 42 et dont les parois sont fermées pour empêcher tout échappement d'urée solide hors de la cuve et d'une partie inférieure s'étendant dans le volume interne de la cuve 42 et formée par un panier 52 tel que décrit ci-dessus.At least the submerged part of the tank 46 is formed by a basket 52, for example in perforated sheets, that is to say provided with a plurality of openings allowing fluid communication between the contents of the basket and the internal volume of the tank. the tank 42. The volume occupied by the basket 52 in the internal volume of the tank 42 is for example between 1.5 m 3 and 2 m 3 , for example equal to 1.7 m 3 . According to one embodiment, the tank 46 is formed by an upper part projecting from the tank 42 and the walls of which are closed to prevent any escape of solid urea out of the tank and from a lower part s 'extending into the internal volume of the tank 42 and formed by a basket 52 as described above.

Le dispositif de dissolution 26 comprend en outre au moins une buse d'injection d'eau 54 dans le volume interne du panier 52. La buse d'injection 54 permet d'injecter de l'eau dans le volume interne du panier 52 afin de dissoudre le tas d'urée solide formé lors de l'ouverture du contenant 1. La buse d'injection 54 est reliée par une entrée 56 à une source d'eau et à des moyens de chauffage de l'eau. L'eau est de l'eau déminéralisée, par exemple de l'eau osmosée chauffée à une température comprise entre 30°C et 50°C, généralement voisine de 45°C.The dissolving device 26 further comprises at least one nozzle for injecting water 54 into the internal volume of the basket 52. The injection nozzle 54 makes it possible to inject water into the internal volume of the basket 52 in order to dissolving the heap of solid urea formed during the opening of the container 1. The injection nozzle 54 is connected by an inlet 56 to a source of water and to means for heating the water. The water is demineralized water, for example reverse osmosis water heated to a temperature between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, generally around 45 ° C.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur les Figs. 2 et 4, la buse d'injection 54 est située au fond du panier 52, au voisinage du fond de la cuve 42. Un tel agencement dans lequel la buse d'injection 54 injecte l'eau dans le tas d'urée disposé dans le bac 46 permet de créer une turbulence d'eau sous la surface de l'urée solide afin de dissoudre l'urée solide dans l'eau déminéralisée.According to the embodiment shown in the Figs. 2 and 4 , the injection nozzle 54 is located at the bottom of the basket 52, in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank 42. Such an arrangement in which the injection nozzle 54 injects the water into the heap of urea placed in the tank 46 allows to create a water turbulence under the surface of the solid urea in order to dissolve the solid urea in the demineralized water.

La buse d'injection 54 comprend par exemple une sortie orientée vers le fond de la cuve 42 et par laquelle l'eau est injectée et un déflecteur 55 s'étendant en regard de la sortie et orienté à 45° vers le haut du bac 46, c'est-à-dire vers la partie supérieure du bac 46, afin de réorienter l'eau injectée vers le tas d'urée dans le panier 52. Un tel agencement permet de protéger la buse 54 lorsque l'urée est déversée dans le bac 46 et d'éviter que la sortie de la buse puisse être bouchée par de l'urée.The injection nozzle 54 comprises for example an outlet oriented towards the bottom of the tank 42 and through which the water is injected and a deflector 55 extending opposite the outlet and oriented at 45 ° towards the top of the tank 46 , that is to say towards the upper part of the tank 46, in order to redirect the water injected towards the pile of urea in the basket 52. Such an arrangement makes it possible to protect the nozzle 54 when the urea is poured into the tank. the tank 46 and prevent the outlet of the nozzle from being clogged with urea.

Selon un mode de réalisation, plusieurs buses d'injection 54 sont réparties au fond du panier 52 de sorte à injecter de l'eau chaude sous l'ensemble du tas d'urée solide et permettre ainsi de dissoudre uniformément la base du tas d'urée située en vis-à-vis du fond du panier 52. Selon un mode de réalisation, seize buses d'injection 54 formant des rangées et des colonnes de quatre buses au fond du panier 52 sont prévues. Chaque buse d'injection 54 présente par exemple un débit sensiblement compris entre 2 m3/heure et 3 m3/heure de sorte que 2.1 m3 d'eau peuvent être injectés dans la cuve 42 en 3 minutes. La solution d'urée et d'eau déminéralisée formée s'écoule par les perforations du panier 52 dans la cuve 42.According to one embodiment, several injection nozzles 54 are distributed at the bottom of the basket 52 so as to inject hot water under the entire solid urea heap and thus allow the base of the solid urea heap to dissolve uniformly. urea located opposite the back of the basket 52. According to one embodiment, sixteen injection nozzles 54 forming rows and columns of four nozzles at the back of the basket 52 are provided. Each injection nozzle 54 has for example a flow rate substantially between 2 m 3 / hour and 3 m 3 / hour so that 2.1 m 3 of water can be injected into tank 42 in 3 minutes. The solution of urea and demineralized water formed flows through the perforations of the basket 52 into the tank 42.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le dispositif de dissolution 26 comprend en outre au moins une buse de recirculation 58 prévue dans la cuve 42 et agencée pour homogénéiser le liquide présent dans la cuve 42. Plus particulièrement, comme représenté sur la Fig. 4, le dispositif de dissolution 26 comprend par exemple un circuit de recirculation 60 formé par une conduite dotée de buses de recirculation 58 et reliée à une entrée 57. La conduite est agencée le long du fond de la cuve 42 et permet de créer un flux de circulation de liquide dans la cuve afin que le liquide dans la cuve soit mélangé. Le dispositif de dissolution 26 comprend enfin une sortie 62 de liquide agencée au fond et à une extrémité de la cuve 42. La sortie 62 est reliée à une pompe (non représentée) qui permet soit d'alimenter l'entrée 57 pour réaliser la recirculation, soit de vider la cuve 42 dans une cuve de stockage (non représentée) de la solution aqueuse d'urée produite dans le dispositif de dissolution 26. La pompe de recirculation présente par exemple un débit sensiblement égal à 40 m3/h.According to one embodiment, the dissolution device 26 further comprises at least one recirculation nozzle 58 provided in the tank 42 and arranged to homogenize the liquid present in the tank 42. More particularly, as shown in FIG. Fig. 4 , the dissolution device 26 comprises for example a recirculation circuit 60 formed by a pipe provided with recirculation nozzles 58 and connected to an inlet 57. The pipe is arranged along the bottom of the tank 42 and makes it possible to create a flow of circulation of liquid in the tank so that the liquid in the tank is mixed. The dissolution device 26 finally comprises a liquid outlet 62 arranged at the bottom and at one end of the tank 42. The outlet 62 is connected to a pump (not shown) which makes it possible either to feed the inlet 57 to perform the recirculation. , or to empty the tank 42 into a storage tank (not shown) for the aqueous urea solution produced in the dissolving device 26. The recirculation pump has for example a flow rate substantially equal to 40 m 3 / h.

Le dispositif de dissolution 26 décrit ci-dessus permet de produire, à partir d'un contenant de 1 T d'urée solide et de 2,1 m3 d'eau osmosée chauffée à une température comprise entre 30°C et 50°C, généralement voisine de 45°C, 2,85 m3 de solution aqueuse d'urée concentrée en urée à 32,5%. En effet, l'obtention d'1 m3 de solution aqueuse d'urée concentrée en urée à 32,5 % requiert le mélange de 0,736 m3 d'eau à 45°C et de 0354 T d'urée. Entre l'acheminement du contenant d'urée 1 et la vidange de la solution aqueuse obtenue, une quinzaine de minutes s'est écoulée, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Un tel dispositif de dissolution permet de produire une solution aqueuse d'urée répondant à la norme ISO22241 utilisant en une seule étape de dépôt l'intégralité de l'urée solide contenue dans un contenant. L'encombrement du dispositif de dissolution peut être réduit puisque le volume de la cuve peut être ajusté à la quantité d'eau nécessaire à la dissolution de l'intégralité de l'urée solide contenue dans un contenant 1 pour produire la solution aqueuse d'urée à la concentration voulue sans nécessiter d'élément mobile de mélange, du type mélangeur rotatif. Ainsi, le dispositif de dissolution ne requiert pas de moyens d'actionnement d'un tel élément mobile de mélange à l'extérieur de la cuve.The dissolution device 26 described above makes it possible to produce, from a container of 1 T of solid urea and 2.1 m3 of reverse osmosis water heated to a temperature between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, generally around 45 ° C, 2.85 m 3 of aqueous urea solution concentrated in urea at 32.5%. In fact, obtaining 1 m3 of aqueous urea solution concentrated in 32.5% urea requires the mixture of 0.736 m3 of water at 45 ° C. and 0354 T of urea. Between the delivery of the urea container 1 and the emptying of the aqueous solution obtained, about fifteen minutes have elapsed, as will be described later. Such a dissolution device makes it possible to produce an aqueous urea solution meeting the ISO22241 standard using in a single deposition step all of the solid urea contained in a container. The size of the dissolution device can be reduced since the volume of the tank can be adjusted to the quantity of water necessary for the dissolution of all of the solid urea contained in a container 1 to produce the aqueous solution of urea at the desired concentration without requiring a mobile mixing element, of the rotary mixer type. Thus, the dissolution device does not require means for actuating such a mobile mixing element outside the tank.

La production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée peut être optimisée en prévoyant plusieurs dispositifs de dissolution 26 tels que décrit ci-dessus. Ainsi, deux dispositifs de dissolution 26 peuvent être utilisés. Cela permet d'utiliser le dispositif d'acheminement 14 pour amener un contenant 1 vers le deuxième dispositif de dissolution 26 pendant que la dissolution de l'urée solide issue d'un premier contenant a lieu dans le premier dispositif de dissolution. Le procédé de production est cependant particulièrement amélioré en utilisant trois dispositifs de dissolution 26, comme représenté sur la Fig. 1. Dans ce cas, les trois dispositifs de dissolution 26 sont disposés les uns à côtés des autres selon la direction amont-aval sous le dispositif d'acheminement 14, comme représenté sur la Fig. 1.The production of an aqueous urea solution can be optimized by providing several dissolving devices 26 as described above. Thus, two dissolution devices 26 can be used. This allows the delivery device 14 to be used to deliver a container 1 to the second dissolution device 26 while the Dissolution of the solid urea from a first container takes place in the first dissolving device. The production process is however particularly improved by using three dissolving devices 26, as shown in Fig. Fig. 1 . In this case, the three dissolution devices 26 are arranged side by side in the upstream-downstream direction under the delivery device 14, as shown in Figure Fig. 1 .

Un procédé de production d'une solution aqueuse d'urée au moyen d'un dispositif de production comprenant trois dispositifs de dissolution 26 va à présent être décrit plus en détail.A method of producing an aqueous urea solution by means of a production device comprising three dissolving devices 26 will now be described in more detail.

La station de stockage 2 est pourvue de contenants 1, dont au moins se situe en sortie 6 de la station de stockage 2, soit sur la table 10, soit sur le dépalettiseur 13. L'élément de préhension 18 du dispositif d'acheminement 14 est positionné au-dessus de la sortie 5 et est abaissé avec les pinces principale 28 et secondaire 30 en position ouverte. Lorsque la pince principale 28 est amenée autour des parois latérales 32 du contenant 1, la pince secondaire 30 se trouve en regard de la boucle 34 formée à l'extrémité supérieure du contenant 1. Les pinces principale 28 et secondaire 30 sont alors placées en position fermée et l'élément de préhension 18 est relevé pour soulever le contenant 1.The storage station 2 is provided with containers 1, at least of which is located at the outlet 6 of the storage station 2, either on the table 10 or on the depalletizer 13. The gripping element 18 of the conveying device 14 is positioned above the outlet 5 and is lowered with the main 28 and secondary 30 clamps in the open position. When the main clamp 28 is brought around the side walls 32 of the container 1, the secondary clamp 30 is located opposite the loop 34 formed at the upper end of the container 1. The main 28 and secondary 30 clamps are then placed in position. closed and the gripping element 18 is raised to lift the container 1.

L'élément de préhension 18 se déplace alors le long du ou des rails 16 jusqu'à se trouver au-dessus du carter d'entrée 46 du premier dispositif de dissolution 26. L'élément de préhension 18 est alors de nouveau abaissé pour faire pénétrer le fond du contenant 1 dans le bac 46. Le fond du contenant 1 est déchiré par le dispositif d'ouverture 48 de sorte que l'urée solide se vide et forme un tas dans le panier 52 en passant par l'élément de filtrage 47 de la cuve 42. La partie supérieure du bac 46 permet d'éviter que de l'urée solide se déverse hors du dispositif de dissolution 26. Lorsque le contenant 1 a été vidé, l'élément de préhension 18 est relevé alors que le contenant 1 est toujours maintenu par la pince secondaire 30. L'élément de préhension 18 transportant le contant 1 vide est alors déplacé le long du ou des rails 16 jusqu'à se trouver au-dessus de la station de récupération 24. La pince secondaire 30 est alors ouverte et le contenant 1 vide est lâché dans la station de récupération 24.The gripping element 18 then moves along the rail (s) 16 until it is above the inlet housing 46 of the first dissolving device 26. The gripping element 18 is then lowered again to make penetrate the bottom of the container 1 into the tank 46. The bottom of the container 1 is torn by the opening device 48 so that the solid urea empties and forms a pile in the basket 52 passing through the filter element 47 of the tank 42. The upper part of the tank 46 makes it possible to prevent solid urea from spilling out of the dissolving device 26. When the container 1 has been emptied, the gripping element 18 is raised while the container 1 is still held by the secondary clamp 30. The gripping element 18 carrying the empty container 1 is then moved along the rail (s) 16 until it is above the recovery station 24. The secondary clamp 30 is then opened and the empty container 1 is released into the recovery station ration 24.

L'élément de préhension 18 est ramené en sortie 6 de la station de stockage 2 où il saisit un nouveau contenant 1 et l'amène au deuxième dispositif de dissolution 26. Les opérations décrites ci-dessus sont répétées par l'élément de préhension 18 puis l'élément de préhension recommence les opérations pour le troisième dispositif de dissolution 26.The gripping element 18 is returned to the outlet 6 of the storage station 2 where it grasps a new container 1 and brings it to the second dissolution device 26. The operations described above are repeated by the gripping element 18. then the gripping element repeats the operations for the third dissolution device 26.

L'étape d'acheminement d'un contenant au-dessus d'un dispositif de dissolution 26, représentée en hachurée sur la Fig. 5, requiert environ trois minutes. L'étape de crevage du contenant 1 et de déversement de l'urée solide dans le bac 46, représentée en noir sur la Fig. 5, requiert environ une minute. L'élément de préhension 18 est ensuite amené à la station de récupération 24 puis à la sortie 6 de la station de stockage 2, où il est à nouveau disponible pour réaliser une nouvelle étape d'acheminement jusqu'à un autre dispositif de dissolution 26.The step of conveying a container above a dissolution device 26, shown in hatched lines on the Fig. 5 , takes about three minutes. Step of puncture of container 1 and discharge of solid urea into tank 46, shown in black on the Fig. 5 , takes about a minute. The gripping element 18 is then brought to the recovery station 24 then to the outlet 6 of the storage station 2, where it is again available to carry out a new routing step to another dissolution device 26 .

Pour chaque dispositif de dissolution 26, dès que celui-ci reçoit un tas d'urée solide, l'injection d'eau déminéralisée chauffée à une température sensiblement comprise entre 30°C et 50°C, par exemple une température voisine de 45°C, dans la cuve 42 débute. Cette étape, représentée en points sur la Fig. 5, dure environ 3 minutes au bout desquelles environ 2,1 m3 d'eau ont été injectés dans la cuve 42.For each dissolution device 26, as soon as it receives a heap of solid urea, the injection of demineralized water heated to a temperature substantially between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, for example a temperature close to 45 ° C, in the tank 42 begins. This step, represented in points on the Fig. 5 , lasts about 3 minutes, after which about 2.1 m 3 of water have been injected into tank 42.

Dès que le premier m3 d'eau a été injecté dans la cuve 42, la ou les buses de recirculation 58 sont mises en fonctionnement afin d'homogénéiser le mélange d'eau et d'urée dans la cuve. Cette étape, comme représentée sur la Fig. 5, débute dans la minute qui suit le début de l'étape d'injection d'eau et dure environ 5 minutes.As soon as the first m 3 of water has been injected into the tank 42, the recirculation nozzle (s) 58 are put into operation in order to homogenize the mixture of water and urea in the tank. This step, as shown in the Fig. 5 , begins within one minute of the start of the water injection step and lasts approximately 5 minutes.

A l'issue de cette étape, l'urée solide contenue dans le contenant 1 a été entièrement dissoute dans l'eau et la cuve 42 contient la solution aqueuse d'urée souhaitée. La vidange de la cuve par la sortie 62 peut alors commencer pour transférer la solution aqueuse d'urée vers la cuve de stockage. Comme représenté sur la Fig. 5, la vidange de la cuve 42 dure environ 4 minutes et 30 secondes. Au cours du transfert de la solution aqueuse d'urée de la cuve 42 d'un dispositif de dissolution 26 à la cuve de stockage, un densimètre massique peut être prévu pour sauvegarder les caractéristiques de la solution aqueuse d'urée obtenue, par exemple sa concentration en urée.At the end of this step, the solid urea contained in container 1 has been completely dissolved in water and tank 42 contains the desired aqueous urea solution. The emptying of the tank through the outlet 62 can then begin to transfer the aqueous urea solution to the storage tank. As shown on the Fig. 5 , the emptying of the tank 42 lasts approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds. During the transfer of the aqueous urea solution from the tank 42 of a dissolving device 26 to the storage tank, a mass density meter may be provided to safeguard the characteristics of the aqueous urea solution obtained, for example its urea concentration.

Chaque dispositif de dissolution 26 fonctionne avec un décalage de 4 minutes avec le dispositif de dissolution 26 le précédent ou le suivant. Ainsi, l'étape de dissolution dans le deuxième dispositif de dissolution 26 débute quatre minutes après celle dans le premier dispositif de dissolution 26 et quatre minutes avant celle dans le troisième dispositif de dissolution 26. Lorsque le premier dispositif de dissolution 26 reçoit l'urée solide d'un contenant, l'étape de recirculation se produit dans le deuxième dispositif de dissolution 26 et la vidange de la cuve 42 du troisième dispositif de dissolution 26 a lieu.Each dissolution device 26 operates with a 4 minute lag with the preceding or following dissolution device 26. Thus, the step of dissolving in the second dissolving device 26 begins four minutes after that in the first dissolving device 26 and four minutes before that in the third dissolving device 26. When the first dissolving device 26 receives the urea solid from a container, the recirculation step occurs in the second dissolving device 26 and the emptying of the vessel 42 of the third dissolving device 26 takes place.

De tels dispositif et procédé de production permettent de produire une solution aqueuse d'urée répondant aux exigences de la norme ISO22241 tout en optimisant l'utilisation des ressources disponibles en eau (cuve de 140 m3 d'eau déminéralisée froide et 6 m3 d'eau chauffée), les débits imposés par les pompes de vidange des cuves 42 (environ 40 m3/h) et le nombre de cuves de stockage de solution aqueuse d'urée (par exemple trois cuves de 140 m3) d'un site de production de la solution aqueuse d'urée. En outre, comme indiqué précédemment, l'encombrement du dispositif de production est réduit grâce à l'utilisation des dispositifs de dissolution 26.Such a device and production process make it possible to produce an aqueous urea solution meeting the requirements of the ISO22241 standard while optimizing the use of available water resources (tank of 140 m 3 of cold demineralized water and 6 m 3 of heated water), the flow rates imposed by the emptying pumps of the tanks 42 (approximately 40 m 3 / h) and the number of storage tanks for aqueous urea solution (for example three tanks of 140 m 3 ) of one site for the production of the aqueous urea solution. In In addition, as indicated above, the size of the production device is reduced thanks to the use of the dissolution devices 26.

Les valeurs de volume, de poids, de débit, etc. n'ont été données qu'à titre d'exemple et peuvent varier selon les sites de production. Notamment, le volume de la cuve d'un dispositif de dissolution peut varier en fonction de la quantité d'urée solide contenue dans les contenants 1.The values of volume, weight, flow, etc. have been given as an example only and may vary depending on the production site. In particular, the volume of the tank of a dissolution device can vary depending on the quantity of solid urea contained in the containers 1.

Claims (12)

  1. A device for producing an aqueous solution of urea from solid urea and demineralized water, said device comprising:
    - at least one device (26) for dissolving solid urea in demineralized water, in which the solid urea is dissolved in the demineralized water in order to form an aqueous solution of urea, said dissolving device (26) comprising a tank (42) for receiving solid urea and demineralized water and an outlet (62) for recovering the aqueous solution of urea,
    - a solid urea (2) storage station,
    - a device (14) for transporting solid urea from the storage station (2) to the dissolving device (26), said transporting device (14) being arranged to pour solid urea into the tank (42) of the dissolving device (26),
    characterized in that the dissolving device (26) comprises at least one nozzle (54) for injecting demineralized water into the solid urea poured into the tank (42), said nozzle (54) for injecting demineralized water being connected by an inlet (56) to a demineralized water source and to means for heating the water and being arranged in the vicinity of the bottom of the tank (42) in order to create water turbulence below the surface of the solid urea poured into the tank (42) and to dissolve the solid urea in the demineralized water so as to form the aqueous solution of urea.
  2. The production device according to claim 1, comprising at least two dissolving devices (26), the transport device (14) being arranged to pour, consecutively, solid urea into the tank (42) of one of the dissolving devices (26), then into the tank (42) of the other dissolving device (26).
  3. The production device according to claim 2, comprising three dissolving devices (26), the transport device (14) being arranged to pour, consecutively, solid urea into the tanks (46) of said dissolving devices (26).
  4. The production device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dissolving device (26) comprises at least one nozzle (58) for recirculating liquid in the tank (42), said recirculating nozzle (58) being arranged to homogenize the aqueous solution of urea in the tank (42).
  5. The production device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage station (2) is arranged to store containers (1) of urea clumps, the transport device (14) comprising an element (18) for gripping a container (1) and at least one rail (16) on which the gripping element (18) moves in order to move the container (1) to the tank (42) of a dissolving device (26), said dissolving device (26) comprising a unit (48) for opening the container (1).
  6. The production device (6) according to claim 5, wherein the containers (1) of urea clumps are formed by bags, the gripping element (18) and the rail (16) being arranged to bring the container (1) above the tank (42) of the dissolving device (26), the opening unit (48) comprising at least one diamond tip (50) equipped with cutting scissors extending in line with the tank (42) and being arranged to tear the bottom of the container (1) such that the urea clumps are poured into the tank (42) under the effect of gravity when the bottom of the container (1) has been torn.
  7. The production device according to claim 6, comprising a station (24) for recovering containers (1) after they have been emptied, the gripping element (18) and the rail (16) being arranged to bring the container (1) to said recovery station once the solid urea has been poured from said container (1) into a tank (42).
  8. The production device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a tray (46) for receiving solid urea is partially submerged in the tank (42), at least the submerged part of the tray (46) forming a basket (52) in fluid communication with the inner volume of the tank (42) such that the urea contained in the tray (46) is bathed in the demineralized water in the tank (42).
  9. The production device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tank (42) comprises a filtering element (47) through which the solid urea is poured into the tank (42), said filtering element (47) being arranged to retain clumps of solid urea with an average diameter larger than a predetermined average diameter.
  10. A process for producing an aqueous solution of urea from solid urea and demineralized water using a production device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps:
    - transporting solid urea from the storage station (2) to the tank (42) of a dissolving device (26) and pouring the solid urea into said tank (42) using the transport device (14) so as to form a pile of solid urea in said tank (42),
    - injecting demineralized water into the tank (42) below the pile of solid urea so as to dissolve the urea in the demineralized water and form the aqueous solution of urea in the tank (42),
    - recovering the aqueous solution of urea from the tank (42).
  11. The production process according to claim 10, wherein the demineralized water is injected at a temperature substantially between 30°C and 50°C into the tank (42).
  12. The production process according to claim 10 or 11 using the device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transport device (14) transports and pours solid urea into the tank (42) of one of the dissolving devices (26), then into the tank (42) of another dissolving device (26), the injection of demineralized water into said tanks (42) beginning once a pile of solid urea is formed in said tanks (42) such that the beginning of the dissolving in a dissolving device (26) is offset in time relative to the beginning of the dissolving in another dissolving device (26).
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US6468481B1 (en) * 1997-01-26 2002-10-22 Charles E. Anderson Method and apparatus for full ultilization of salt crystals in brine
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WO2018007312A1 (en) 2018-01-11

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