Granular Sulphur: Overview and Applications
Granular sulphur refers to elemental sulphur in its raw, unprocessed form, typically sourced directly from refineries or extracted from natural deposits. Found both in pure form and in combination with other elements, sulphur is a vital industrial material known for its bright yellow appearance and distinct properties.
Commercially, granular sulphur is also referred to as "lump sulphur" or "sulphur chips" due to its coarse, solid form. In agriculture, its hardness makes it unsuitable for direct use, as it does not readily oxidize. To enhance its usability, it is often physically processed into powdered or micronized forms. Alternatively, sulphur can be blended with other components to produce a granular formulation, hence the term “granular sulphur” is also used for such modified products.
Roll Sulphur: Overview and Applications
Roll sulphur refers to solidified elemental sulphur that has been cast into cylindrical shapes or "rolls" for ease of handling, storage, and transportation. This form is specifically engineered to facilitate industrial use by offering uniformity, reduced dust generation, and improved thermal stability compared to irregular or powdered forms.
Due to its compact and manageable size, roll sulphur is widely used across various sectors. In chemical manufacturing, it serves as a key raw material for producing sulphuric acid and other sulphur-based compounds. Its solid cylindrical form makes it ideal for controlled combustion in applications that require burning sulphur, such as curing, fumigation, bleaching, and preservation processes.
Lump Sulphur: Overview and Applications
Most sulphur is transported globally in bulk solid form and stored in large open-air stockpiles at terminals or plant sites, ready for melting and use in sulphuric acid production. While some facilities provide indoor storage, sulphur is typically exposed to environmental elements like wind, rain, and salt air.
Crushed sulphur is irregular in shape with sharp edges, making it prone to breakage and dust generation. Due to the challenges of transporting molten sulphur, the industry has invested significantly in forming sulphur into uniform particles—such as prills, granules, or pastilles—to improve handling and minimize dust emissions.