Sulphur prills

Types of sulphur prills

Sulphur prills are a form of processed elemental sulphur, often used as fertilizers in agriculture for improving soil quality and aiding plant growth. The sulphur prills in this document are listed from the supply industry, focusing on the materials required to manufacture industrial prills.

Yellow sulphur prills

Yellow sulphur prills are the most typical form of processed elemental sulphur. They are produced from the Frasch process or by recovering sulphur from refinery gas or other industrial sources of hydrogen sulphide. Yellow sulphur prills have the following qualities:

• Bright yellow colour for immediate identification.
• A size of about 2 to 5 millimetres, making them easy to spread on fields.
• Non-toxic and safe to handle even in large quantities.

Red sulphur prills

Red sulphur prills result from a modified version of the Frasch process, in which the temperature is kept lower to produce prills that contain more carbon, iron, or other impurities. This form of sulphur is sometimes produced from mining or refining minerals containing metallic sulphides, such as pyrite or galena. The colour of these prills can range from deep red to darker shades of brown. Compared to yellow sulphur prills, the following characteristics are apparent:

• Larger size and coarser texture due to lower processing temperatures.
• Difficulties in handling and transport because of possible clumping or caking.
• Iron content can be an advantage in certain agricultural applications where additional micronutrients are needed.

Industrial applications of sulphur prills

Industrial applications of sulphur prills involve the use of prills as an input in large-scale chemical processes, pollution control measures, and even in construction. Prills have the following qualities:

• Highly consistent chemical composition resulting from industrial production processes.
• Standardised size (usually 2-5 mm), which ensures that the prills can be easily handled, transported, and fed into industrial equipment.
• High purity, with most industrial sulphur prills containing over 99% elemental sulphur.

Fertiliser production

Sulphur prills are used in the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilisers for agriculture. The prills are used to make ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) and calcium sulphate (CaSO4) fertilisers, which provide vital nutrients such as nitrogen and sulphur to crops. Fertiliser production comprises the largest single-use of sulphur prills.

Chemical production

Sulphur prills can be used in the production of various chemicals, including sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for batteries, metals refining, and waste processing. Other chemicals that may be manufactured from sulphur prills include thiokols (rubber-like materials useful for sealants, adhesives, and coatings), ammonium thiomes, rodent and gopher bait, photography materials, detergents, rubber accelerators and other chemical applications where consistent sulphur input is required.

Waste treatment

Sulphur prills can be employed in flue gas desulphurisation, a process used in power plants and industrial facilities to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal, oil, or gas combustion. The prills react with SO2 to form calcium sulphate, thus reducing acid rain potential. Sulphur prills can also be used in treating mine water to neutralise acid mine drainage, a process that helps prevent environmental contamination from mining activities.

Mining

Sulphur prills can be injected underground in some types of mining, such as insitu leach mining. The prills create a reducing environment that can help dissolve valuable metals like copper or nickel contained in reduced ore deposits.

Construction

Prills may be used for making certain types of concrete or other building materials that require sulphur compounds. The main application of sulphur prills in construction is for making chemically resistant concrete for buildings and infrastructure exposed to harsh chemical environments, such as in chemical plants or wastewater treatment facilities.

Key specifications & features of sulphur prills

Sulphur prills have certain key specifications and features that make them suitable for industrial use. Buyers should pay attention to the following attributes of sulphur prills when sourcing them in bulk:

Chemical composition

• The key chemical requirement for sulphur prills is high sulphur purity or content, usually over 99%.
• Look for low or no contaminants such as carbon, ash, water, and heavy metals, decreasing the value of prills as fertilisers.

Physical properties

• Sulphur prills are typically spherical or near-spherical granules, which promotes even flow and easy handling.
• They should be between 2 to 5 millimetres in diameter to ensure compatibility with industrial equipment.
• Sulphur prills have a low bulk density of about 0.7 to 1.0 grams per cubic centimetre, which affects how they are transported and stored.
• Check for the absence of caking or clumping during storage and handling, as this can disrupt operations.

Packaging

• Ensure the packaging is strong and durable for industrial use, with common options including bulk bags, tight-sealed drums, or waterproof containers/boxes.
• Consider packaging size that suits end-use requirements and handling equipment, usually ranging from 25 kilograms to over a tonne per bag or drum.

How to order automotive suspension products

Industrial buyers can place orders for automotive suspension products by following these steps

• Identify a suitable wholesale automotive suspension parts supplier or manufacturer online, such as those listed on Alibaba.com.
• Confirm bulk sulphur prills availability and types from the supplier.
• Ask for the buyer to submit their business documentation, such as a business licence, tax ID, and credit history check, to establish an account with the supplier.
• Industrial buyers should check the MOQ to ensure the order is large enough to qualify for bulk discount pricing.
• Consider the shipping options and costs, including delivery times, to ensure they align with the buyer's needs. Buyers can also request the supplier to provide samples of the prills to check quality before purchasing bulk quantities.

How to choose sulphur prills

Selecting high-quality sulphur prills for industrial applications from Alibaba.com requires buyers to consider the following criteria:

Sourcing goals

Buyers should identify the specific quantity and quality requirements for the intended use of the prills and the results they would like to achieve. For example, agricultural requirements often demand prills with high purity and consistency to promote crop growth, while chemical manufacturing needs only sufficient quality to produce intermediate chemicals.

Assess quality

The buyer's business must assess the quality of the bulk sulphur prills. Request quality certificates if available. Buyers can also visit the supplier to assess the quality of the prills physically.

Supplier typ

Industrial buyers on Alibaba.com should consider purchasing the prills directly from bulk manufacturers or leading wholesale suppliers.

Packaging considerations

Since industrial quantities of sulphur prills are usually supplied in bulk bags or containers, buyers should consider the suitability of the packaging for their handling, storage, and transport. The packaging should also preserve the quality of the prills during transit and storage.

Logistics

Industrial buyers should consider the bulk order delivery times, costs, and availability. This information is crucial for avoiding interrupting the buyer's business. Buyers should consider placing orders of sufficient quantity and scheduling orders in good time to allow for the receipt of the goods ahead of when they are required.

Q&A

Q1: Are there differences between agricultural and industrial sulphur prills?

A1: Industrial sulphur prills may be less pure than agricultural sulphur prills because they contain impurities such as iron, metals, and other carbon compounds. Agricultural sulphur prills must be very pure and homogenous and have a consistent size to support crop health.

Q2: How are sulphur prills produced for agriculture?

A2: The most common method for producing sulphur prills is the Frasch process, in which sulphur deposits are melted and pumped out as molten sulphur. This molten sulphur is then cooled and solidified into prills.

Q3: What is the role of packaging in the quality of sulphur prills?

A3: The quality of the prills is maintained through proper packaging in bulk bags, sealed containers, or waterproof drums. Prills are protected during transit, storage, and handling by strong and durable packaging that prevents moisture, contamination, and caking.

Q4: How can buyers ascertain the quality of the sulphur prills they are purchasing?

A4: Buyers can request quality certificates for the chemical purity or quality of the product and physically assess the product quality by visiting the supplier or receiving a sample of the product before placing a bulk order. Also, buying from reputable manufacturers and suppliers can help ensure the buyer receives high-quality products.