Process or storage tank with dual measurement devices and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a process or storage tank comprising: a liquid, slurry, gas or mixtures thereof; a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or within the tank; and a first means (9) for measurement configured for measuring a first process or storage condition of said liquid, slurry, gas or mixtures thereof, said first process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, viscosity, water content, solids content, solids size, solids shape, solids roughness and liquid level, wherein the conduit or the means for measuring is configured to removably integrate a second means (4) for measuring a second process or storage condition selected from the same group as above when the process or storage is being performed inside the tank and when the first means for measuring is inside the process or storage tank. The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding method and to a method for correspondingly retrofitting a process or a storage tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of process or storage tanks having a dual measuring device. Background Art

[0002] Measurement is a key aspect to ensure proper control or safety of the production process, i.e. the absence of decomposition in storage, buffer or holding tanks. There are various measuring devices, in particular sensors based on various technologies, for determining conditions such as temperature, pressure and vibration. Without having indications from such measuring devices, neither the production process nor safe storage can be controlled.

[0003] The nitrophosphate process (enabling the production of NPK fertilizer) is an example of a multi-step process that requires control of process conditions at each step. Specifically, temperature and pressure are to be controlled.

[0004] The nitrophosphate process includes six main steps. In the first step (digestion step), phosphate rock is digested in nitric acid to produce a digestion solution at a temperature of 65°C. In the second step (crystallization step), calcium nitrate tetrahydrate is crystallized from the digestion solution to produce a crystal slurry. In the third step (separation step), the crystallized calcium nitrate is separated by a technique such as filtration or centrifugation, so that the calcium nitrate tetrahydrate crystals are separated from the liquid of the crystal slurry (called the mother liquor). In the fourth step (neutralization step), the mother liquor is neutralized to a pH of about 5.8 using ammonia. In the fifth step (granulation), the neutralized mother liquor is granulated into a final product (e.g., for use as NP fertilizer). Potassium salt can be added during the neutralization process or added to the neutralized mother liquor. When granulation is performed by granulation, an evaporation step is performed before adding the potassium salt so as to reach a sufficiently low water content to perform granulation. In a sixth step (coating step), the particles may then be coated, for example with a coating agent which is suitable for reducing hygroscopicity and thereby for ensuring suitable physical properties for the particles.

[0005] Therefore, in the NPK process, it is also necessary to measure the pH at the neutralization step and to measure the composition of the slurry by vibration measurement during the crystallization step in order to ensure proper crystal growth.

[0006] Prior art

[0007] DE102018112913A1 relates to a sensor for detecting flow noise and / or temperature in a pipeline. According to the invention, it is proposed that the sensor is provided with a contact surface which is supported from the outside to the pipeline in the use position, and that the sensor is firmly held in the use position on the pipeline by means of a pipe surrounding clamp or a flexible band.

[0008] CN215639594U discloses a high-accuracy three-axis temperature vibration composite sensor, which relates to the field of signal detection technology. Under the premise of simultaneously detecting the vibration signal and temperature signal of the object to be detected, the vibration detection device has the advantages of simple and compact structure and easy assembly and debugging, and the vibration detection direction of the sensor is adjustable. The temperature vibration composite sensor includes a lower base; an annular mounting cavity is formed in the lower base, and the mounting base is arranged in the annular mounting cavity; the mounting base can rotate in the annular mounting cavity; a sleeve is sleeved on the outer side of the mounting base, a locking nut is sleeved on the outer side of the sleeve, the lower end of the locking nut is threadedly connected to the upper end of the lower base, and the mounting base is pressed tightly in the annular mounting cavity; the temperature sensor probe is connected to the bottom of the mounting base, the signal processing chip is arranged at the upper end of the mounting base, and the MEMS acceleration chip is arranged on the signal processing chip. The application is used to improve the performance of the temperature vibration composite sensor.

[0009] CN215573123U discloses a temperature vibration composite sensor based on a MEMS acceleration chip, which relates to the field of signal detection technology. The vibration signal and temperature signal of the object to be detected can be detected at the same time, and the device has the advantages of simple and compact structure and easy assembly and debugging. The temperature vibration composite sensor includes a sensor housing, a temperature sensor probe, a MEMS acceleration chip and a signal processing chip; the left and right connected sensor mounting cavity is arranged in the sensor housing, the sensor mounting base is arranged in the mounting cavity, the sensor mounting base is connected to the opening at the left end of the sensor housing, and the sensor cover is arranged at the opening at the right end of the sensor housing; the temperature sensor probe is connected to the left end of the sensor mounting base, the signal processing chip is arranged at the right end of the sensor mounting base, and the MEMS acceleration chip is arranged on the signal processing chip; the bottom of the mounting cavity is provided with a wired outlet, and the wired outlet is connected to a wired outlet connector. The application is used to improve the performance of the temperature vibration composite sensor.

[0010] CN112729399A discloses a liquid-gas pressure and liquid-gas vibration sensor and a preparation method thereof. The pressure detection module includes a hydraulic pressure chamber, a spring tube and a first fiber Bragg grating sensor, the first fiber Bragg grating sensor is arranged on the spring tube, the spring tube is arranged on the outside of the hydraulic pressure chamber and communicates with the hydraulic pressure chamber, and a through hole is formed in the hydraulic pressure chamber. The vibration detection module includes an outer protective shell, a vibration part and a second fiber grating sensor, the second fiber grating sensor is arranged on the vibration part, the vibration part is arranged in the outer protective shell, and the vibration detection module is fixedly connected to the pressure detection module. It can monitor the water pressure near the shore and the impact vibration effect of seawater on the wave-breaking wall and the impact dam, and achieve the multi-purpose purpose of a sensor. The printing ink is manufactured by a 3D fused deposition printing preparation method, has an integrated structure and shortens the processing cycle.

[0011] However, the prior art does not address the possibility of incorporating a second measuring device while a chemical process or storage of chemical substances is ongoing in a tank. The flexibility of doing such incorporation without disturbing the process or storage, i.e. without having to empty the tank and thereby stop the process or interrupt the storage, is very important: depending on how the process or storage is going on, one may want to modify which second process or storage condition is measured without having to replace a defined dual measuring device with another defined dual measuring device.

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a solution for achieving the above flexibility. Summary of the invention

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a process or storage tank is disclosed. The process or storage tank comprises:

[0014] The liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the tank;

[0015] a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and

[0016] a first device for measuring, configured to measure a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the first process or storage condition selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level;

[0017] The system is characterized in that the conduit or the first device for measuring (also referred to herein as the measuring device) is configured to be used when a process or storage is being carried out inside the process or storage tank and when the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank, the second device for measuring being removably integrated for measuring, for measuring a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof, the second process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level.

[0018] The inventors have realised that it is not necessary to have one device for measuring two process or storage conditions. All that is required is the suitability of the conduit or the device for measuring to measure two conditions. Thus, the (first) device for measuring is designed such that while the process or storage of the substance is taking place in the tank in which the condition is to be measured, at least one second device for measuring the process or storage condition can be integrated into the conduit or into the (first) device for measuring another process condition.

[0019] Therefore, the system of the present disclosure does not require interruption of the process or storage for the additional device for measurement to be integrated. This means that there is no need to empty the process or storage tank to insert a second measurement device or to insert a new core supporting the second measurement device.

[0020] In addition, the second device for measuring can be conveniently selected by the operator based on the specific process or storage. The operator can also switch between two different second measuring devices without disturbing the process or storage. Therefore, the operator can obtain all information related to the first process or storage conditions, as well as information for two different second process storage conditions within a defined time period. In other words, the system of the present disclosure presents the required flexibility to measure relevant information while optimizing production load or storage safety.

[0021] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, and the second means for measuring can be removably integrated or attached to the support or the core.

[0022] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is nitrophosphate digestion liquor, nitrophosphate crystal slurry, nitrophosphate mother liquor or finished fertilizer liquor for evaporation or granulation.

[0023] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition is temperature and the second process or storage condition is pressure or liquid level.

[0024] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring is a thermocouple or a resistance temperature probe, and the second means for measuring is a piezoresistive pressure probe or a pitot tube pressure probe.

[0025] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the tank further comprises:

[0026] a collection box for collecting data of the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring; and

[0027] • Processing means for processing the data collected by the collection box.

[0028] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition is temperature, the second process or storage condition is vibration, and the system further comprises:

[0029] A data collection box for collecting vibration data; and

[0030] - Processing means for processing the vibration data such that the composition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank is determined.

[0031] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for measuring two process or storage conditions of a liquid, slurry, gas, or mixture thereof in a process or storage tank is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps:

[0032] a) measuring a first process or storage condition of a liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof inside a process or storage tank using a first device for measuring, the process or storage tank comprising:

[0033] the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof;

[0034] a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and

[0035] the first means for measuring being configured to measure the first process or storage condition selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solids content, solids size, solids shape, solids roughness, and liquid level;

[0036] The method is characterized in that it further comprises the following steps:

[0037] b) removably integrating into the conduit or into the first means for measuring a second means for measuring a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the second process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solids content, solids size, solids shape, solids roughness and liquid level; and

[0038] c) measuring the second process or storage condition using the second means for measuring.

[0039] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, and step b) is performed by removably integrating or attaching the second means for measuring to the support or the core.

[0040] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof is a nitrophosphate digestion solution, a nitrophosphate crystal slurry, a nitrophosphate mother liquor or a finished fertilizer liquid to be evaporated or granulated.

[0041] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0042] d) collecting the data measured in step a) or step c) in a collection box; and

[0043] e) processing the data collected in step d) in a processing device to determine third process or storage conditions.

[0044] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition measured in step b) is temperature, and:

[0045] The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is pressure;

[0046] The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is liquid level; or

[0047] The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is vibration. More specifically, vibration data is collected in step d) and the vibration data collected in step d) is processed in step e) such that the composition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank is determined.

[0048] In one aspect of the present disclosure, use of a process or storage tank of the present disclosure for performing a method of the present disclosure is disclosed.

[0049] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for converting a process or storage tank comprising:

[0050] Liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof;

[0051] a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and

[0052] - A device for measuring the process or storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof.

[0053] The method comprises the following steps:

[0054] removing the device used for measuring; and

[0055] integrating a first device for measuring a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the first process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level, and the first device for measuring being configured to removably integrate a second device for measuring a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof while the process or storage is carried out inside the process or storage tank and while the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank.

[0056] In one embodiment of the method for transformation according to the present disclosure, the first device for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, the second device for measuring can be removably integrated or attached to the support or the core, and the data generated by the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring can be processed by a processing device for determining a third process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof, so that the method further comprises the following steps:

[0057] a data box integrating the data collected by the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring; and

[0058] - Integrating processing means for processing the data collected by the data box, thereby determining a third process or storage condition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 Schematic representations of embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0060] manual

[0061] Throughout the description and claims of this application document, the word "comprise" and its variations mean "including but not limited to", and it is not intended to (and does not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this disclosure, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular reference includes the plural. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the disclosure will be understood to contemplate the plural as well as the singular, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0062] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the present disclosure will be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in the features of the present disclosure (including the description, claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of the steps of any method or process disclosed thereby may be combined in any combination, except for combinations in which at least some of the features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The present disclosure is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The present disclosure extends to any novel feature or any combination of novel features in the features disclosed in the present disclosure (including the description, claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel step or any combination of novel steps in the steps of any method or process disclosed thereby.

[0063] Numerical values ​​recited with reference to the accompanying drawings include all values ​​and fractions within these ranges, as well as the cited endpoints. The terms "range from ... to ..." or "in the range of ... to ..." or "up to" as used when referring to a range of measurable values ​​(such as a parameter, amount, time period, etc.) are intended to include the limits associated with the disclosed ranges.

[0064] When the term "about" is applied to a particular value or range, that value or range is to be interpreted as being as accurate as the method used to measure that value or range. As defined herein, a slurry is a semi-liquid mixture of particles.

[0065] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a process or storage tank is disclosed. The process or storage tank includes: a liquid, slurry, gas, or a mixture thereof (inside the tank); a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit inside the tank; and a first device for measuring, which is configured to measure a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas, or a mixture thereof, wherein the first process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness, and liquid level;

[0066] The system is characterized in that the conduit or the (first) device for measuring is configured to removably integrate a second device for measuring when a process or storage is taking place inside the process or storage tank and when the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank, wherein the second device for measuring is configured to measure a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof, wherein the second process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level.

[0067] The inventors have realised that it is not necessary to have one device for measuring two process or storage conditions, or in other words, that the first and second measuring devices are permanently fixed to the tank or conduit. All that is required is the suitability of the conduit or the device for measuring to measure both conditions. Therefore, the device for measuring is designed such that it comprises a first device for measuring for measuring a process or storage condition, and such that when a process or storage of a substance is taking place in the tank in which the condition is to be measured, the second device for measuring the process or storage condition can be integrated into the conduit or into the first device for measuring without interrupting the process or storage.

[0068] Therefore, the system of the present disclosure does not require the process or storage to be disturbed for the additional device for measurement to be integrated. This means that a new core can be inserted without emptying the process or storage tank.

[0069] In addition, the second device for measuring can be conveniently selected by the operator based on the specific process or storage. The operator can also switch between two different second measuring devices without interfering with the process or storage. Therefore, the operator can, for example, obtain all information related to the first process or storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas or their mixture in a continuous manner, and in addition can obtain information for two different second process storage conditions for the liquid, slurry, gas or their mixture within a defined time period by introducing and / or replacing the second device for measuring without interrupting the process or storage. In other words, the system of the present disclosure presents improved flexibility, so that relevant information is measured while optimizing production load or storage safety.

[0070] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, and the second means for measuring can be removably integrated or attached to the support or the core.

[0071] Advantageously, a second device for measuring a second process or storage condition is integrated using a support or core (such as a metal sheath) external to the tank. The support or core is easily accessible and provides a safe location and an optimal surface for integrating the second device for measuring, so that the second device for measuring then provides a signal of acceptable quality.

[0072] It is worth noting that, regardless of whether the conduits at the outside of the tank also include parts of the tank interior, such as eg a heat exchanger, they provide an advantageous location for integrating a second device for measuring.

[0073] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is nitrophosphate digestion liquor, nitrophosphate crystal slurry, nitrophosphate mother liquor or finished fertilizer liquor for evaporation or granulation.

[0074] As mentioned above, the nitrophosphate process is a multi-step process that requires measurement of several process conditions. Specifically, the digestion, evaporation, and granulation steps all require measurement of temperature or pressure. The neutralization step further requires pressure and pH measurements, while the crystallization step further requires measurement of liquid level and determination of the composition of the slurry inside the crystallizer, which can be determined by measuring vibrations in the slurry. Therefore, the system of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for use in the nitrophosphate process.

[0075] Furthermore, it is beneficial to obtain information about the solids content during the digestion step in order to determine the amount of phosphate rock and the amount of insoluble material that is actually digested in the acid.

[0076] Besides this, during the neutralization step, it is particularly advantageous to obtain information about viscosity and granulometry (ie solids content, size, shape and roughness). Information about water content is also very practical with regard to planning for evaporation and determining how much water is to be evaporated.

[0077] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is temperature, and the second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is pressure or level.

[0078] Several processes, such as but not limited to the neutralization step of a nitrophosphate process, require measurement of both temperature and pressure inside a neutralization tank when performed at pressures above atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is particularly beneficial to use a system of the present disclosure that is capable of measuring two conditions (for measuring temperature and pressure). In one embodiment of a process or storage tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition is temperature, and the second process or storage condition is liquid level or vibration.

[0079] Alternatively, simultaneous measurement of temperature and liquid level is particularly beneficial, for example during crystallization of nitrophosphates, during which it is necessary to ensure that the temperature is within the range for calcium nitrate crystallization and to monitor the liquid level as the crystals form. Also, in storage tanks containing liquid to be transferred, knowing both the temperature of the liquid and the volume of liquid available is particularly useful.

[0080] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring is a thermocouple or a resistance temperature probe, and the second means for measuring is a piezoresistive pressure probe or a pitot tube pressure probe.

[0081] Piezoresistive pressure probes offer the benefit of small size while being able to measure a wide range of pressure conditions. In addition, piezoresistive probes are able to measure very accurately and remain stable even when process conditions, including pressure, change.

[0082] The Pitot tube presents the benefit of being easy to maneuver due to its small size. The Pitot tube can also be easily used in a very wide range of existing systems and offers low pressure loss, minimizing disruption to the process, and minimizing friction losses due to its lack of moving parts.

[0083] Thermocouples offer the benefit of accurate measurements over a wide operating range, including extremely high temperatures, which means they can be used in harsh environments. In addition to this, they also offer fast response and highly repeatable results due to their very short response time. Temperature resistance probes offer the same advantages listed for thermocouples, and also have a long lifespan.

[0084] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the tank further comprises:

[0085] a collection box or acquisition box for collecting data of the first means for measuring or the second means for measuring; and

[0086] • Processing means for processing the data collected by the collection box.

[0087] In the absence of sensors that can be used to directly measure the first or second process or storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas, or mixture thereof, an alternative is to measure conditions that can be used to determine the target conditions. In this case, after storing the data acquired by the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring, the data may then be processed, for example, by software running an algorithm, to calculate the target process or storage conditions.

[0088] In one embodiment of the tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is temperature, the second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is vibration, and the system further comprises:

[0089] A data collection box or acquisition box for collecting vibration data; and

[0090] - Processing means for processing the vibration data such that the composition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank is determined.

[0091] As mentioned above, it is particularly useful to obtain information about the composition of the contents of the tank during the crystallization and neutralization steps of the nitrophosphate process. It is advantageous to determine this composition by analyzing the vibrations of the tank interior. By storing the vibration data, and subsequently processing the data through software running an algorithm, it is possible to determine a quantitative estimate of each component of interest within the tank interior.

[0092] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for measuring two process or storage conditions of a liquid, slurry, gas, or mixture thereof in a process or storage tank is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: a) measuring a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas, or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank using a first device for measuring; wherein the process or storage tank further comprises a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit inside the tank; and wherein the first process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness, and liquid level.

[0093] The method is characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: b) removably integrating a second device for measuring a second process or storage condition of a liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof into the conduit or into the first device for measuring, wherein the second process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level; and c) measuring the second process or storage condition using the second device for measuring.

[0094] The inventors have realised that it is not necessary to have one device for measuring two process or storage conditions. All that is required is the suitability of the conduit or the device for measuring to measure both conditions. Therefore, the device for measuring is designed such that when a process or storage of a substance is taking place in the tank in which the condition is to be measured, at least one device for measuring a process or storage condition can be integrated into the conduit or into the device for measuring another process condition.

[0095] Therefore, the method of the present disclosure does not require the process or storage to be disturbed for the additional device for measurement to be integrated. This means that a new core can be inserted without emptying the process or storage tank.

[0096] In addition, the second device for measuring can be conveniently selected by the operator based on the specific process or storage. The operator can also switch between two different second measuring devices without disturbing the process or storage. Therefore, the operator can obtain all information related to the first process or storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof within a defined time period, as well as information for two different second process storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof. In other words, the method of the present disclosure presents the required flexibility so that relevant information is measured while optimizing production load or storage safety.

[0097] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the first means for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, and step b) is performed by removably integrating or attaching the second means for measuring to the support or the core.

[0098] Advantageously, a second device for measuring a second process or storage condition is integrated using a support or core (such as a metal sheath) external to the tank. The support or core is easily accessible and provides a safe location and an optimal surface for integrating the second device for measuring, so that the second device for measuring then provides a signal of acceptable quality.

[0099] It is worth noting that, regardless of whether the conduits at the outside of the tank also include parts of the tank interior, such as eg a heat exchanger, they provide an advantageous location for integrating a second device for measuring.

[0100] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof is a nitrophosphate digestion solution, a nitrophosphate crystal slurry, a nitrophosphate mother liquor or a finished fertilizer liquid to be evaporated or granulated.

[0101] As mentioned above, the nitrophosphate process is a multi-step process that requires measurement of several process conditions. Specifically, the digestion, neutralization, evaporation, and granulation steps all require measurement of both temperature. The neutralization step further requires pressure and pH measurements, while the crystallization step further requires measurement of liquid level and determination of the composition of the slurry inside the crystallizer, which can be determined by measuring vibrations in the slurry. The method of the present disclosure is therefore particularly suitable for the nitrophosphate process.

[0102] Furthermore, it is beneficial to obtain information about the solids content during the digestion step in order to determine the amount of phosphate rock and the amount of insoluble material that is actually digested in the acid.

[0103] Besides this, during the neutralization step, it is particularly advantageous to obtain information about viscosity and granulometry (ie solids content, size, shape and roughness). Information about water content is also very practical with regard to planning for evaporation and determining how much water is to be evaporated.

[0104] In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method further comprises the following steps: d) collecting the data measured in step a) or step c) in a collection box or an acquisition box; and e) processing the data collected in step d) in a processing device to determine a third process or storage condition.

[0105] In the absence of a sensor that can be used to directly measure the first or second process or storage condition, an alternative is to measure a condition that can be used to determine the target condition. In this case, after storing the data acquired by the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring, it is possible to subsequently process the data, for example, by software running an algorithm, to calculate the target process or storage condition.

[0106] In one embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof measured in step b) is temperature, and the second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof measured in step c) is pressure; the second process or storage condition measured in step c) is liquid level; or the second process or storage condition measured in step c) is vibration, and vibration data is collected in step d) and the vibration data collected in step d) is processed in step e), so that the composition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank is determined.

[0107] Several processes, such as but not limited to the neutralization step of a nitrophosphate process, require measurement of both temperature and pressure inside a neutralization tank when performed at pressures above atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is particularly beneficial to use a system of the present disclosure that is capable of measuring two conditions (for measuring temperature and pressure). In one embodiment of a process or storage tank according to the present disclosure, the first process or storage condition is temperature, and the second process or storage condition is liquid level or vibration.

[0108] Alternatively, simultaneous measurement of temperature and liquid level is particularly beneficial, for example during crystallization of nitrophosphates, during which it is necessary to ensure that the temperature is within the range for calcium nitrate crystallization and to monitor the liquid level as the crystals form. Also, in storage tanks containing liquid to be transferred, knowing both the temperature of the liquid and the volume of liquid available is particularly useful.

[0109] In addition, it is particularly useful to obtain information about the composition of the contents of the tank during the crystallization and neutralization steps of the nitrophosphate process. It is advantageous to determine this composition by analyzing the vibrations of the tank interior. By storing the vibration data, and subsequently processing the data through software running an algorithm, it is possible to determine and quantify each component of interest within the tank interior.

[0110] In one aspect of the present disclosure, use of a process or storage tank of the present disclosure for performing a method of the present disclosure is disclosed.

[0111] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for converting a process or storage tank comprising: a liquid, a slurry, a gas, or a mixture thereof; a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit inside the tank; and a device for measuring, which is configured to measure the process or storage conditions of the liquid, slurry, gas, or a mixture thereof. The method comprises the steps of: removing a device for measuring; and integrating a first device for measuring a first process or storage condition of a liquid, a slurry, a gas or a mixture thereof, wherein the first process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level, and the first device for measuring is configured to be used when a process or storage is being carried out inside the process or storage tank and when the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank, and a second device for measuring a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof can be removably integrated, wherein the second process or storage condition is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level.

[0112] In one embodiment of the method for transformation according to the present disclosure, the first device for measuring includes a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, the second device for measuring can be removably integrated or attached to the support or the core, and the data generated by the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring can be processed by a processing device for determining a third process or storage condition, so that the method further includes the following steps: integrating a data box for collecting data of the first device for measuring or the second device for measuring; and integrating a processing device for processing the data collected by the data box to determine the third process or storage condition.

[0113] Example

[0114] Reference Figure 1The liquid inside the tank comprising the reactor wall 1 and a mixture of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, calcium nitrate and water is stored in a buffer tank by reacting phosphate rock with acid at a temperature in the range of 0°C to 70°C and a pressure in the range of 1 atmosphere to 10 bar. The temperature of the reaction in the process tank 2 is controlled by using a thermocouple 9 which is connected to the reactor wall 1 via a housing connection 7 and to a data acquisition box 11 via a cable 10. The thermocouple 9 is protected by being inserted inside a housing 6 which is connected to the outer wall housing 5 of the thermocouple 9. The housing connection 7 is fastened to the outer wall housing 5 by a tight fitting fastening device 8.

[0115] While the reaction in the process tank is ongoing, the vibration sensor 4 is attached to the outer wall housing 5 of the thermocouple 9 and is connected to the second data acquisition box 2 through the cable 3 .

[0116] By attaching a vibration sensor 4, the vibrations are correlated to the metal housing 5 of the thermocouple 9 embedded in the fluid. The vibrations acquired by the data acquisition box 2 are analyzed by computer software to determine the properties of the fluid in the reactor.

[0117] Table 1. List of reference numerals

[0118]

Claims

1. A process or storage tank comprising: Liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof; a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and a first device for measuring, configured to measure a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the first process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level; Wherein the conduit or the first device for measuring is configured to removably integrate a second device for measuring when a process or storage is being carried out inside the process or storage tank and when the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank, wherein the second device for measuring measures a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof, the second process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level.

2. A process or storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the first means for measuring comprises a support or core, such as a metal sheath, and wherein the second means for measuring is removably integrated or attached to the support or core.

3. The process or storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof is a nitrophosphate digestion solution, a nitrophosphate crystal slurry, a nitrophosphate mother liquor or a finished fertilizer solution for evaporation or granulation.

4. The process or storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first process or storage condition is temperature, and wherein the second process or storage condition is pressure or liquid level.

5. The process or storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first means for measuring is a thermocouple or a resistance temperature probe, and wherein the second means for measuring is a piezoresistive pressure probe or a pitot tube pressure probe.

6. The process or storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a collection box for collecting data of the first device for measuring and / or the second device for measuring; and • Processing means for processing said data collected by said collection box.

7. The process or storage tank of claim 6, wherein the first process or storage condition is temperature, and wherein the second process or storage condition is vibration, and wherein the system further comprises: Data collection box, which is used to collect vibration data; and - Processing means for processing said vibration data such that the composition of said liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside a process or storage tank is determined.

8. A method for measuring two process or storage conditions of a liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof in a process or storage tank, the method comprising the steps of: a) measuring a first process or storage condition of a liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof in a process or storage tank using a first device for measuring, the process or storage tank comprising: The liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof; a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and the first means for measuring being configured to measure the first process or storage condition selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, vibration, pH, viscosity, water content, solids content, solids size, solids shape, solids roughness and liquid level; The method further comprises the following steps: b) removably integrating a second device for measuring into the conduit or into the first device for measuring for measuring a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the second process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level; and c) measuring the second process or storage condition using the second means for measuring.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first means for measuring comprises a support or a core, such as a metal sheath, and wherein step b) is performed by removably integrating or attaching the second means for measuring to the support or the core.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the liquid, slurry, gas or a mixture thereof is a nitrophosphate digestion solution, a nitrophosphate crystal slurry, a nitrophosphate mother liquor or a finished fertilizer liquid to be evaporated or granulated.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first process or storage condition measured in step a) is temperature, and wherein: The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is pressure; The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is the liquid level; or • The second process or storage condition measured in step c) is vibration.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: d) collecting the data measured in step a) or step c) in a collection box; as well as e) processing said data collected in step d) in a processing device to determine third process or storage conditions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second process or storage condition measured in step c) is vibration, and wherein in step d) vibration data is collected, and in step e) the vibration data collected in step d) is processed such that the composition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof inside the process or storage tank is determined.

14. Use of a process or storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for carrying out a method according to claims 8 to 13.

15. A method for converting a process or storage tank comprising: Liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof; a conduit in fluid communication with the tank or a conduit within the tank; and - a device for measuring the process or storage conditions of said liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof; The method comprises the following steps: Removing the device used for measurement; as well as integrating a first device, the first device being for measuring a first process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, the first process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level; and A second device configured to removably integrate a second process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof while a process or storage is ongoing inside the process or storage tank and when the first device for measuring is inside the process or storage tank, the first process or storage condition being selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, pH, vibration, viscosity, water content, solid content, solid size, solid shape, solid roughness and liquid level.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first means for measuring comprises a support or core, such as a metal sheath, and wherein the second means for measuring can be removably integrated or attached to the support or core, and wherein data generated by the first means for measuring or the second means for measuring can be processed by a processing device for determining a third process or storage condition of the liquid, slurry, gas or mixture thereof, such that the method further comprises the steps of: a data box integrating said data collected by said first device or said second device for measuring; and - Integrating processing means for processing said data collected by said data box, thereby determining a third process or storage condition.

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