Key considerations for drum fertilizer dryer selection

fertilizer granulator Oct 17, 2025

For fertilizer companies, choosing the right drum fertilizer dryer not only ensures effective drying but also reduces subsequent energy consumption and maintenance costs.

1. Suitable Heating Method for Fertilizer Type

For organic fertilizer production (including fiber-based fermented materials), the preferred option is “hot air heating.” Direct contact between the hot air and the material results in faster drying and prevents fiber sticking to the wall. For compound fertilizer production (wet granules after granulation), the “steam heating” option offers a milder temperature and reduces granule breakage. For low-temperature drying of biofertilizers (to prevent inactivation of microbial inoculants), the “low-temperature hot air” option is recommended to preserve microbial activity.

2. Matching Drum Specifications to Production Capacity

The drum diameter and length directly determine the processing capacity. When selecting a drum fertilizer dryer, calculate the hourly processing capacity based on the daily production capacity, allowing for a 10%-15% margin to ensure sufficient material residence time.

3. Targeted Selection of Anti-Stick Designs

High-humidity organic fertilizers tend to stick to the inner wall of the drying drum. When selecting a drum fertilizer dryer, confirm whether it features an anti-sticking skimmer or polished inner wall treatment to reduce material residue and avoid frequent downtime for cleaning. When processing highly sticky wet compound fertilizer pellets, a combination of a guide plate and skimmer can be used to guide material flow smoothly.

4. Energy Consumption and Environmental Parameters

Prioritize equipment with high thermal efficiency to reduce fuel waste. Also, consider the suitability of exhaust gas treatment. The hot and humid exhaust gas generated during the drying process requires dust removal and desulfurization equipment to ensure compliance with environmental emission standards in the fertilizer industry.

Flat die granulator: Understanding the “Simple and Efficient” logic of granulation

fertilizer granulator Oct 16, 2025

In fertilizer granulation production, flat die granulators are the preferred equipment for small and medium-sized enterprises due to their simple structure and easy operation. They are particularly suitable for fertilizers with complex raw material characteristics, such as organic fertilizers and biofertilizers. The core of their granulation principle lies in the vertical extrusion design of a “flat die + roller” system, which ensures effective granulation while reducing operational complexity.

The core components of a flat die granulator are a horizontally positioned circular die (flat die) and one or two rollers above it. Cylindrical holes are evenly distributed across the die surface. Raw material falls from the feed inlet between the die and rollers. A motor drives the rollers to rotate, and friction forces the rollers continuously press the raw material against the die surface, forcing it into the holes.

In the die holes, the raw material undergoes a process of “extrusion shaping → solidification forming.” A scraper below the die cuts the cylindrical material that emerges from the holes, forming pellets of uniform length.

Compared to other granulation equipment, the flat die granulator’s advantage lies in its adaptability to fibrous raw materials (such as fermented straw). The vertical compression of the rollers prevents fiber entanglement and facilitates die hole cleaning, making it suitable for the production of small and medium-sized batches of a wide variety of fertilizers.

Ring die granulator: What is the core mechanism of pellet formation?

fertilizer granulator Oct 15, 2025

In fertilizer granulation production, the ring die granulator is a key piece of equipment for achieving “powdered raw materials → uniform granules.” It is particularly suitable for a variety of fertilizer types, including organic fertilizers, compound fertilizers, and biofertilizers. The key to its granule formation lies in the synergistic effect of the “ring die + press roller” system, as well as precise adaptation to the raw material characteristics.

The core working components of the ring die granulator are a ring die with densely packed holes (ring die) and two to three press rollers within it. When the machine is started, pre-treated (mixed and conditioned) fertilizer raw materials (usually with a moisture content of 15%-25%) are fed into the extrusion chamber between the ring die and the press rollers. The motor drives the ring die at high speed, while the press rollers follow in the opposite direction. Friction forces press the raw materials tightly against the inner wall of the ring die.

As the ring die continues to rotate, the raw materials are forcibly squeezed into the small holes of the ring die, where they undergo a process of “extrusion → shaping → solidification.” The shape of the small holes (circular, cylindrical, or oblate) determines the appearance of the pellets, while the length-to-diameter ratio of the holes (also known as the “compression ratio”) influences pellet hardness.

Finally, the formed pellets are cut by a scraper on the outside of the ring die, forming uniform fertilizer granules. The entire process achieves “continuous feeding and continuous granulation,” adapting to the mass production needs of organic fertilizer production lines.

Horizontal crusher: How to ensure continuous operation of organic fertilizer production lines?

fertilizer granulator Oct 14, 2025

In fertilizer production, production line interruptions are one of the most troublesome issues for companies. Frequent downtime of the pulverizing equipment causes delays in upstream and downstream processes (such as raw material pretreatment and subsequent granulation), directly reducing daily production capacity. However, the horizontal crusher, with its targeted design, serves as a “stabilizer” for ensuring continuous production line operation. Its core advantages are concentrated in three aspects.

1. Anti-clogging Design Reduces Downtime for Cleaning

To address the problem of caking and clogging of fertilizer raw materials (especially high-humidity fermented materials and fibrous materials), high-quality horizontal crushers feature a “tilted discharge chamber + self-cleaning impeller” structure. The tilted chamber accelerates material discharge and prevents accumulation. Elastic scrapers at the end of the impellers scrape residual material off the chamber walls as they rotate, eliminating the need for frequent downtime for cleaning.

2. Feeding and Production Line Compatibility

It can be used with automatic feeding devices (such as belt conveyors and screw feeders). Frequency conversion controls the feed speed to match the raw material conveying and pelletizing process, preventing “overfeeding and machine blockage” or “overfeeding and idling.”

3. Durability Reduces Failure Frequency

To address the abrasive nature of fertilizer raw materials (such as minerals), the chamber wall is constructed of a wear-resistant alloy, extending its average service life by two times that of ordinary materials. The device also features an overload protection device. If the chamber is overloaded, the motor automatically shuts off, preventing extended downtime due to component damage. This design ensures “less downtime, more operation” for the organic fertilizer production line.

Dynamic synergy between NPK fertilizer production lines and the agricultural production cycle

fertilizer granulator Oct 13, 2025

NPK fertilizer production isn’t a fixed process; it’s a dynamic system deeply integrated with the agricultural production cycle. Two to three months before spring plowing, NPK fertilizer production lines should prioritize production of high-nitrogen formulas (such as 25-10-10) to meet the nutritional needs of seedling crops like wheat and corn. During this period, granulation production should be adjusted to increase daily production capacity by 30%, while also stockpiling raw materials to avoid supply interruptions during the peak spring plowing season.

During the summer fruit and vegetable bulking season, NPK fertilizer production lines must quickly switch to high-potassium formulas (such as 15-10-25). A modular silo design allows for formula conversion within four hours, and a low-temperature granulation process (controlled at 55-60°C) is used to minimize potassium loss.

After the autumn harvest, to meet soil maintenance needs during the fallow period, NPK fertilizer production lines will increase the proportion of slow-release NPK products containing humic acid. This requires extending the coating process and adjusting the nutrient release cycle from 30 days to 90 days.

This dynamic synergy requires the establishment of a “farming cycle-production plan” linkage mechanism. By analyzing historical planting data to predict demand, this ensures that fertilizer supply is precisely matched to crop nutrient absorption points, avoiding production capacity waste and ensuring agricultural production efficiency.

How can organic fertilizer production lines adapt to the needs of ecological agriculture?

fertilizer granulator Oct 11, 2025

Ecological agriculture’s requirements for “no chemical additives” and “full-cycle composting” of fertilizers are driving targeted adjustments to organic fertilizer production lines.

In ecological farming, the use of chemical regulators is prohibited. Organic fertilizer production lines must optimize the microbial community structure to achieve natural composting of raw materials. For example, complex microbial agents can be used instead of traditional chemical ripening agents to ensure that no exogenous pollutants are introduced during the fermentation process.

At the same time, ecological agriculture emphasizes the “cultivation-livestock cycle.” Organic fertilizer production lines must adapt to a variety of ecological raw materials, such as rice husks and mushroom residues, using precise pulverization and mixing processes to ensure balanced nutrient release.

Furthermore, to meet the demand for “light and simplified fertilization” in ecological farming, end-of-line production lines must enhance granulation and slow-release technologies to adapt fertilizers to various ecological farming scenarios, such as drip irrigation and broadcasting, thus achieving a closed loop of “fertilization-growth-soil maintenance.”

At present, the application rate of products of this type of organic fertilizer production line adapted to ecological agriculture in ecological fruit and vegetable planting has increased by 35% compared with ordinary production lines. After some ecological tea gardens adopted this type of fertilizer, the tea polyphenol content in tea increased by an average of 8%, and the pass rate of pesticide residue detection remained at 100%, further verifying the adaptability of the production line to ecological planting.

How do new type organic fertilizer granulators adapt to different organic fertilizer raw materials?

fertilizer granulator Oct 10, 2025

New type organic fertilizer granulators are more flexible than traditional models. Whether it’s straw, manure, mushroom residue, or distiller’s grains, they can be adapted with minimal adjustments without having to replace equipment.

If using fermented straw for granulation, this raw material is fibrous and somewhat loose, making it difficult to produce compact pellets. Add 5%-8% bentonite (a common binder) to the raw material, mix it thoroughly before feeding it into the new type organic fertilizer granulator, and increase the roller pressure. This will ensure compact pellets without breaking them up and damaging the organic matter in the straw.

For wet, sticky raw materials like chicken manure and pig manure, the biggest concern is clogging the granulator. Instead of adding too much binder, add about 10% dry mushroom residue to reduce moisture. Also, slow the new type organic fertilizer granulator’s feed rate to allow the raw material to fully form in the granulation chamber. The resulting pellets are smooth and less likely to stick to the machine.
When it comes to fine raw materials such as mushroom residue and wine lees, they have moderate viscosity and do not require additional adhesives, which saves materials and time.

How should a windrow compost turner be adjusted for different organic fertilizer raw materials?

fertilizer granulator Oct 9, 2025

Organic fertilizer raw materials vary greatly, such as straw, chicken manure, mushroom residue, and distiller’s grains, and their properties can vary greatly. When using a windrow compost turner, a few adjustments can ensure smoother fermentation.

If you’re turning dry straw, it’s fluffy and porous, but it’s prone to “lifting.” The blades of a windrow compost turner tend to only scrape the surface, failing to thoroughly turn the bottom. In this case, you can steepen the blade angle to allow it to penetrate deeper into the pile. At the same time, slow down the compost turner’s speed to 2-3 kilometers per hour. This ensures that both the top and bottom of the straw pile are turned loosely, breaking up any large clumps and facilitating subsequent fermentation.

If you’re turning wet, sticky raw materials like chicken manure and pig manure, they tend to clump and stick to the blades, and the pile may become compacted after turning. At this time, the blade angle should be adjusted to a gentler angle to reduce sticking, and the forward speed can be increased slightly to allow the turned manure pile to quickly disperse and breathe. Additionally, before turning the pile, sprinkle some dry sawdust on the surface. This will automatically mix the material as the compost turner turns, reducing moisture and preventing clumping.

When turning fine ingredients like mushroom residue and distiller’s grains, the main concern is “missing” them. If the pile is too loose, they can easily leak through the gaps between the blades. By reducing the blade spacing on the windrow compost turner and maintaining a moderate speed, the fine ingredients can be turned over, ensuring even mixing and accelerating fermentation by about 10 days.

Key factors affecting BB fertilizer mixer mixing uniformity

fertilizer granulator Sep 30, 2025

The core quality indicator of BB fertilizer (blended fertilizer) is nutrient uniformity, and the mixing performance of the BB fertilizer mixer directly determines the quality of the final product. This process is influenced by several key factors and requires targeted control.

First, the raw material pretreatment stage. BB fertilizer raw materials are mostly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium single granular fertilizers or powdered organic fertilizers. If the raw material particle size varies greatly, stratification due to different densities is likely to occur. Screening is required to control the raw material particle size deviation to within 2mm. At the same time, the raw material moisture content must be maintained at a stable 12%-15%. Too high a moisture content can easily cause the particles to stick together, while too low a moisture content can cause the powdered raw material to generate dust.

Second, the mixing parameter setting is important. The speed of the BB fertilizer mixer should be adjusted according to the raw material type. When mixing granular fertilizer, the speed can be set to 15-20 rpm to avoid particle collision and breakage caused by high speed. When mixing raw materials containing powder, the speed can be increased to 20-25 rpm. The mixing time also needs to be controlled. Typically, 8-12 minutes per mixing cycle is sufficient. Too short a time will result in uneven mixing, while too long a time can easily cause excessive friction and loss of the raw materials.

Finally, the compatibility of the equipment structure is important. The impeller design of the BB fertilizer mixer must balance convection and shearing. If the raw materials contain a small amount of fiber (such as when adding straw powder to organic fertilizer), impellers with scraping functions should be used to prevent the raw materials from adhering to the cylinder walls. The cylinder should avoid right angles and instead use rounded transitions to reduce dead corners where raw materials accumulate, ensuring that every portion of the raw materials is mixed and ensuring uniformity from a structural perspective.

Different fertilizer types require special adaptation requirements for ring die granulators

fertilizer granulator Sep 29, 2025

In fertilizer production, ring die granulators must adjust core parameters based on the characteristics of different raw materials, such as organic fertilizer, compound fertilizer, and slow-release fertilizer, to ensure optimal granulation.

For organic fertilizers, whose raw materials often contain fiber components such as straw and fermented manure, ring die granulators require large-aperture ring dies (typically 8-12mm) and anti-entanglement rollers to prevent fiber entanglement and pelletizing stalls. Furthermore, the steam injection time should be appropriately extended during the conditioning stage to enhance the viscosity of the fiber raw material.

If producing bio-organic fertilizers containing live bacteria, a rapid cooling device should be added after granulation to reduce the pellet temperature to below 35°C to prevent high temperatures from killing the live bacteria.

Compound fertilizer raw materials are primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium powders, which are prone to moisture absorption and agglomeration. Therefore, granulators require ring dies made of wear-resistant materials (such as alloy steel) to minimize wear on the die holes, and the roller pressure must be precisely controlled. Excessive pressure can cause components like nitrate nitrogen in the raw materials to decompose and be lost due to the high extrusion temperature, while too little pressure can cause the granules to become loose.

Slow-release fertilizers, however, contain special ingredients like coating agents, so the ring die granulator requires a lower extrusion temperature (below 30°C). This is usually achieved by reducing the roller speed (from 30 rpm to 20 rpm) and adding a cooling device to prevent high temperatures from damaging the slow-release coating structure and ensure the fertilizer’s slow-release effect.