Cost Analysis of Chicken Manure Fertilizer Processing in an Organic Fertilizer Production Line

Chicken manure is indeed a high-quality organic fertilizer raw material, rich in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, various trace elements, enzymes, and microorganisms. Through standardized aerobic composting processes, it effectively degrades organic matter, kills parasite eggs and pathogens, and renders it harmless and stable. This can then be produced into commercial organic fertilizer through an organic fertilizer production line, creating economic benefits for chicken farms while fundamentally addressing environmental pollution.

However, processing chicken manure into commercial organic fertilizer does involve certain production costs, which can be primarily categorized into the following aspects. First, equipment investment is the core, one-time investment. A complete production line typically includes fermentation and compost turning equipment, a crusher, a mixer, a granulator, a dryer, a cooler, a screener, and an automatic packaging machine. The choice of granulator significantly impacts cost and product form. For example, a rotary drum granulator offers high output, a disc granulator offers a high granulation rate, and a flat die granulator is suitable for organic materials. Different granulator models have varying prices and energy consumption. Secondly, the costs of the pretreatment and fermentation processes cannot be ignored. Fresh chicken manure is sticky and moist, typically with a moisture content exceeding 70%, while the optimal fermentation moisture content needs to be adjusted to 50%-60%. Therefore, a large amount of auxiliary materials (such as straw, sawdust, and mushroom residue) are often required to adjust the moisture and carbon-nitrogen ratios. The procurement, transportation, and crushing of these auxiliary materials all incur ongoing costs.

The initial equipment investment for processing chicken manure in an organic fertilizer production line is relatively high, and ongoing operations also require ongoing investment. The cost level depends largely on the production scale, the degree of automation, the availability and price of raw materials, and the positioning of the final product. For large-scale chicken farms, although the initial investment is high, in the long run, the comprehensive benefits of addressing environmental pressures and creating economic value by turning waste into resources are significant, making the cost acceptable.

Precautions for Using a Compost Turning Machine

As a core piece of equipment for material fermentation in an organic fertilizer production line, the proper use of a compost turning machine directly impacts production safety and fermentation efficiency. During daily operation, equipment inspection and parameter adjustment must be thoroughly monitored to ensure maximum performance.

A thorough pre-startup inspection is the first line of defense for safe operation. Check the tracks or running wheels for deviation and bolt connections for looseness. In particular, check for breakage or excessive wear on the turning blade assembly to prevent blades from falling off and causing damage to the equipment during operation. Also, clear the fermentation tank of hard objects such as rocks and metal to prevent them from becoming entangled in the turning mechanism and causing it to jam. Electrical system inspection is essential. Ensure cables are intact and grounding is reliable. Install a waterproof cover during rainy weather to prevent electrical leakage.

Parameter adjustment during operation is crucial for ensuring fermentation quality. Dynamically adjust the turning depth and frequency based on the material’s characteristics: High-protein materials like fresh livestock and poultry manure require more frequent turning to ensure ventilation and oxygen supply to prevent anaerobic decay. Crude fiber materials like straw can be turned more deeply to promote even mixing. The turning speed should be matched to the material’s moisture content. If the moisture content is too high, slow the turning speed to reduce clumping. Dry materials can be turned faster to improve efficiency.

Post-downtime maintenance determines the lifespan of the equipment.After each run, clean the blades and trough to prevent caking and compaction, which increases the load at the next start-up. Regularly lubricate bearings, chains, and other transmission components, and promptly replace severely worn parts. When the equipment is idle for extended periods, it should be stored in a dry location, the blades should be coated with anti-rust oil, and the electrical system should be disconnected from the power supply and dust-proofed.

Proper operation of a compost turning machine is not only essential for ensuring production safety, but also a scientific approach to improving fermentation efficiency and reducing operational costs, laying a solid foundation for the resource utilization of organic waste.

What is the production process of an organic fertilizer production line?

In terms of equipment, an organic fertilizer production line requires a fermentation compost turner, fertilizer crusher, fertilizer mixer, fertilizer granulator, fertilizer dryer, fertilizer cooler, fertilizer screening machine, fertilizer packaging machine, fertilizer conveyor, and fertilizer coating machine.

The raw materials used in organic fertilizer production vary widely, including livestock and poultry manure, municipal sewage sludge, and animal and plant residues. These raw materials are rich in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients, providing essential nutrients for crop growth and are available at low prices.

How an organic fertilizer production line works:

Organic fertilizer processing primarily involves collecting, crushing, and mixing the raw materials. The raw materials are then mixed according to the desired formula, and the moisture content and carbon-nitrogen ratio are adjusted before the fermentation process begins.

Fermentation compost turning machines: Assist in turning the compost during the fermentation process, provide sufficient oxygen, and control the temperature to ensure uniform and thorough fermentation.

Fertilizer mixers: If the size and state of the fermented material are inconsistent, a semi-wet material grinder can be used for fine grinding.

Fertilizer Granulator: The crushed material is processed into uniformly sized organic fertilizer granules by the organic fertilizer granulator.

Fertilizer Cooler: After granulation, the organic fertilizer still contains approximately 30% moisture. To increase its strength, the granules need to be cooled for later storage and transportation.

Fertilizer Screening Machine: After granulation, a small number of unqualified granules, some too large and some too small, will be produced. The fertilizer screening machine is used to separate these granules. Oversized granules are returned to the fertilizer crusher, while undersized granules are returned to the fertilizer granulator for regranulation. Qualified granules are then sent to the automatic packaging machine.

Fertilizer Packaging Machine: The finished organic fertilizer granules are packaged by the automatic packaging machine, completing the entire process.

It should be noted that the above configuration is for a typical organic fertilizer production line and may not be suitable for all situations. In actual production applications, different manufacturers may have different requirements regarding site and raw materials, and adjustments may be required based on actual needs.  

What are the main components of an organic fertilizer production line?

Those familiar with organic fertilizer production lines can generally identify their components, but for those new to the industry, this may seem a bit vague. Today, Zhengzhou Huaqiang Heavy Industry will share with you the components of an organic fertilizer production line.
The crushing section of an organic fertilizer production line. Given the diversity of user raw materials, our organic fertilizer production line equipment is designed with a crushing section. During the equipment sales process, we found that many users use relatively dry chicken manure or pig manure as raw materials, and some even mix in other raw materials to reduce organic fertilizer production costs. Raw materials with excessively large particle sizes cannot be directly granulated. Therefore, before granulation, the raw materials must be crushed to achieve the desired granulation effect before they can be fed into the organic fertilizer granulator. Of course, for users with sufficiently fine raw materials, this step can be omitted when designing organic fertilizer equipment.
The granulator section of an organic fertilizer production line is the core component of the equipment, making it an essential component. The model of granulator to be selected depends on the user’s production volume. The drying section of the organic fertilizer production line. The granulation process requires that the material humidity be kept below 25%. Therefore, raw materials with an initial humidity above 25% should first enter the drying process, and then enter the granulation process after the dried material reaches the required humidity. Of course, users with sufficient material humidity can omit this step when designing organic fertilizer equipment.
In other parts of the organic fertilizer production line, after the pelletizer completes the processing, it is conveyed by a belt conveyor to a ball shaping machine for shaping, achieving a perfectly spherical shape and forming organic fertilizer granules. For users who require it, we can design a final packaging process to directly package the final product, thus achieving perfect automation of the entire fertilizer granulation process.

The unique working principle of the double roller press granulator

The reason why the double roller press granulator can occupy an important position in the organic fertilizer granulation equipment is inseparable from its unique working principle, which also allows it to show many advantages.  Its working process is clear and straightforward. First, the pre-treated dry powder raw material is conveyed between two relatively rotating rollers. The surface of this pair of rollers is usually provided with specific lines or grooves. Under the action of strong extrusion force, the raw material is tightly squeezed to form continuous flakes. These flakes then enter the crushing device and are crushed into particles of different sizes. Next, the particles will go through the screening stage, and the fine powder or large particles that do not meet the requirements will be separated and sent back to the granulation system, while the qualified particles will become the final product.

This working principle brings significant advantages. There is no need to add a lot of water, and the subsequent drying step is omitted, which not only saves energy, but also maintains the original nutritional content of the raw materials. The whole process is coherent and efficient, from the entry of raw materials to the output of qualified particles, which can be completed in one go and quickly meet production needs. At the same time, due to the physical extrusion granulation, it has strong adaptability to raw materials, and a variety of organic raw materials can be made into granules in this way.

The double roller press granulator has become an efficient and practical granulation choice in the organic fertilizer production line due to its scientific working principle, helping producers improve efficiency and ensure quality.

The secrets of organic fertilizer production line and bio organic fertilizer production line

In agricultural production, the quality of fertilizer directly affects the growth and harvest of crops. Today, let’s take a deep look at the differences between organic fertilizer production line and bio organic fertilizer production line to help you make a better choice.

Organic fertilizer production line mainly uses animal and plant residues, such as livestock and poultry manure, crop straw, etc. as raw materials. After collection, pretreatment is first carried out, such as crushing and mixing, to make the raw materials uniform in texture. Then enter the key fermentation and decomposition link, using natural microorganisms to decompose and transform organic raw materials under suitable temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions. This process often takes several months to make organic matter reach a stable state and finally make organic fertilizer.

Bio organic fertilizer production line goes a step further on this basis. After the raw materials are also collected, pretreated and conventionally fermented and decomposed, wait for the material temperature to drop to a suitable range (usually not more than 40℃), and evenly mix in specific microbial agents, such as Bacillus, yeast, etc. These microorganisms play an important role in the follow-up, and can decompose nutrients such as insoluble phosphorus and potassium in the soil and convert them into plant-absorbable forms. However, since microorganisms are sensitive to the environment, the subsequent storage and transportation conditions must be strictly controlled to prevent inactivation.

From the production process point of view, the bio-organic fertilizer production line adds the addition of microbial agents. It seems simple, but it has higher requirements for equipment and environment, and the production process is more complicated.

In terms of product effect, organic fertilizer can improve soil structure, slowly release nutrients, and provide long-term nutrition for plants; bio-organic fertilizer not only has these functions, but also can prevent and inhibit pests and diseases, enhance plant resistance, reduce the use of pesticides, and improve the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Whether you want to invest in organic fertilizer production or focus on bio-organic fertilizer processing, choosing our equipment can escort your production, help you produce high-quality fertilizers, and seize the opportunity in the field of agricultural planting.

Comparison between trough compost turners and crawler compost turners

In the composting equipment of organic fertilizer production lines, compost turning machine and windrow compost turning machine have their own advantages. Choosing suitable equipment can make production efficiency more efficient.

In terms of application scenarios,compost turning machines are suitable for fixed-site operations and need to be used in conjunction with fermentation tanks. The width of a single tank is usually 3-5 meters and the depth is 1-1.5 meters. They are suitable for large-scale and standardized production bases, especially in the continuous fermentation line of organic fertilizer plants. Windrow compost turning machines are experts in mobile operations. The crawler design enables them to shuttle freely in muddy sites without the need for preset fermentation tanks. The pile height can reach more than 1.5 meters.

Each has its own focus on operating efficiency. The compost turning machine relies on chain transmission to drive the turning and throwing teeth. The hourly processing capacity can reach 50-100 tons. The turning and throwing depth is uniform, the material is highly broken, and oxygen can be fully integrated. The fermentation cycle can be shortened to 7-10 days. Windrow compost turning machines rely on hydraulically driven rotating blades to process 30-80 tons per hour. Although the efficiency per hour is slightly lower, they can adapt to irregular piles and have a small turning radius. Their flexibility in operation on complex sites far exceeds that of trough compost turners.

There are obvious differences in operation and maintenance. Compost turning machines require regular adjustment of chain tension and monthly lubrication of sprocket bearings. Due to fixed operations, the replacement cycle of wear parts is relatively long. Windrow compost turning machines require weekly inspection of track tightness and grease of blade bearings every 100 hours, but their modular design makes replacement of wearing parts more convenient and less time-consuming for daily maintenance.

In terms of energy consumption and cost, compost turning machines have 15%-20% lower energy consumption per unit of processing capacity, but they need to invest in fermentation tank construction in the early stage. Windrow compost turning machines have low initial investment, and mobile operations save site renovation costs, making them suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Both can meet the requirements of harmless compost treatment. The compost turning machine is suitable for large-scale and standardized production, while the windrow compost turning machine is suitable for flexible and changeable operation scenarios. Only by choosing according to your own production needs can you make compost treatment efficient and economical, and help the development of green industry.

The “Iron Chef” of Compost: Perfect Fermentation by Compost Turning Machine

On the stage of organic fertilizer production, the compost turning machine acts like a masterful “iron chef”, meticulously controlling each fermentation step to “cook” various organic wastes into nutrient-rich compost. Let’s explore this “chef’s” secret recipe.

Step 1: Meticulous Ingredient Preparation

Like a chef preparing ingredients, raw materials first undergo crushing and screening to remove impurities, achieving the “golden size” of 2-5 cm particles. The carbon-nitrogen ratio (25-30:1) and moisture content (50%-60%) are adjusted—the perfect formula for microbial activity. Too wet? Add straw “absorbent”. Too dry? Add water for “seasoning”.

Step 2: Scientific Layering in Trough

Pre-treated materials are evenly spread in fermentation troughs at 0.8-1.5m depth—this “fermentation bed” thickness ensures sufficient heat generation without compromising ventilation. Like baking a cake in the right pan, this thickness is the “gold standard” from years of practice.

Step 3: Precise Temperature-controlled Turning

When material temperature reaches 60-70°C, the “iron chef” begins work. Its turning teeth act like chef’s spoons, flipping and mixing materials so every part can “breathe”. This phase resembles slow cooking, with turning every 1-3 days over 15-30 days, allowing microbes to fully “cook” the organics.

Step 4: Maturity Assessment and Harvest

When temperature drops to ambient level and materials turn dark brown with earthy fragrance, this “organic feast” is ready. The material becomes loose, odor-free, with pathogens eliminated by heat, ready for further “processing”.

Why Choose This “Iron Chef”?

• High Efficiency: 30%-50% faster than manual methods
• Superior Quality: Even turning ensures perfect “doneness”
• Labor-saving: Automated operation reduces workforce
• Eco-friendly: Minimizes odor and energy consumption
• Versatile: Handles diverse “ingredients” from manure to straw

In the kitchen of circular agriculture, compost turning machines are using their “culinary art” to transform waste into “black gold”, providing continuous nutrition for green farming.

What precautions should be taken during organic fertilizer production?

The efficient operation and high-quality output of an organic fertilizer production line depend on precise control of production details. Attention to precautions in every step not only ensures product quality, but also improves production safety and stability, empowering green agriculture.

The fermentation process is a key quality control point. Precise control of the fermentation temperature is required. Real-time monitoring by the equipment ensures that the core temperature of the material remains within the appropriate range, which not only kills pathogens and insect eggs but also promotes microbial activity. Regularly turning the material ensures uniform oxygen supply and prevents localized anaerobic conditions that can cause odor and nutrient loss. The fermentation cycle must be strictly adhered to. If it is too short, composting will be incomplete, while if it is too long, nutrient loss can occur. Flexible adjustments are required based on the raw material ratio.

Equipment operation and maintenance are essential. Before starting equipment like crushers and granulators, check component integrity and bearing lubrication to avoid running them unloaded or overloaded. During operation, closely monitor abnormal signals such as current and noise. If any problems are detected, stop the machine immediately for investigation. Regularly clean residual material from the equipment to prevent caking and mold that could affect the next production run, extending the equipment’s service life.

Environmental protection and safety measures must be implemented. The production area is equipped with dust collection and exhaust gas treatment equipment to reduce dust dispersion and odor emissions. Operators must wear protective equipment and strictly adhere to operating procedures to avoid direct contact with fermentation materials or moving equipment parts. Fermentation wastewater must be treated before discharge to prevent environmental pollution and comply with environmental protection policies.

Product storage and testing must be standardized. Finished organic fertilizer should be stored in a well-ventilated and dry warehouse to prevent moisture and caking. Each batch of product is sampled and tested for nutrient content, heavy metal indicators, and other indicators to ensure compliance with national standards and enhance market acceptance.

Only by carefully controlling these precautions can the organic fertilizer production line consistently produce high-quality fertilizer, achieve a win-win situation for both environmental protection and profitability, and provide reliable support for sustainable agricultural development.                  

How chicken manure is turned into fertilizer and the equipment used

The large amount of chicken manure produced by chicken farms every day was once a headache for farmers – it piled up and occupied land, the odor disturbed people, and polluted the environment. Today, with the upgrading of environmental protection technology, chicken manure has transformed into high-quality organic fertilizer, and this “gorgeous transformation” is inseparable from the help of professional processing equipment.

The core of chicken manure turning into fertilizer is composting and fermentation. Fresh chicken manure contains a lot of pathogens, insect eggs, and a strong smell of ammonia nitrogen. Direct use will burn the roots of crops and attract pests and diseases. Therefore, the first step is to “disinfect and improve the quality” of chicken manure.

First, send the chicken manure to the dewatering machine to remove excess water. The dehydrated chicken manure cannot be fermented directly, but must be matched with straw and sawdust to adjust the air permeability and make the fermentation more complete.

The mixed materials are sent to the fermentation area, and the turning machine (such as the compost turning machine) is on the scene to turn the materials regularly to ensure sufficient air, so that the upper and lower layers are heated evenly to ensure the fermentation effect.

The fermented materials are crushed and agglomerated by a pulverizer, and the impurities are removed by a drum screener machine. The powdered organic fertilizer obtained can be used directly. If you want to improve storage stability and application convenience, you can perform granulation.

Granulation requires an organic fertilizer granulator to condense the powdered material into uniform particles. Granular fertilizer is not easy to absorb moisture and agglomerate, and it is resistant to loss during transportation and storage. When applied, the amount can be controlled to prevent waste. It can also slowly release fertilizer in the soil, prolong fertilizer effect, and improve crop absorption efficiency.

This system not only solves environmental problems, but also creates profits. Chicken manure organic fertilizer improves soil, improves the quality of fruits and vegetables, and is very popular.

From waste to “hot cakes”, the counterattack of chicken manure is clear. Choose professional equipment to turn chicken manure into treasure, protect green waters and green mountains, and collect gold and silver mountains. This is a wise choice for the circular development of modern agriculture.