Benefits of Using a Disc Granulator in Organic Fertilizer Production Lines

Among the core equipment in organic fertilizer production lines, disc granulators are the preferred choice for many companies, especially small and medium-sized production lines, due to their strong adaptability, high-quality granulation, and convenient operation. They significantly improve production efficiency and product quality.

The disc granulator‘s most prominent advantage is its excellent granulation performance. Its unique disc structure uses the synergistic effect of centrifugal force and gravity to create a stable “rolling granulation zone” within the disc, achieving a granulation rate exceeding 90%, far exceeding that of some extrusion granulation equipment. The resulting granules are not only highly rounded and smooth, but also uniform in size (typically controlled within 2-5mm). This not only prevents nutrient loss due to granule breakage during transportation, but also meets the granule shape requirements of mechanized fertilization, significantly enhancing product market acceptance.

Secondly, it offers excellent raw material compatibility. Organic fertilizer raw materials come from a wide range of sources, from decomposed chicken manure and cow dung to straw powder and mushroom residue, with widely varying composition. The disc granulator can easily adapt to different raw material characteristics by adjusting the disc inclination angle (45°-55°), rotation speed (15-20 rpm), and feed rate.

Disc granulators also offer significant advantages in terms of operation and cost. The device boasts a simple structure, with the disc and drive system as its core components. Routine maintenance requires only regular inspections of bearing wear and disc flatness, resulting in maintenance costs approximately 30% lower than those of a drum granulator. Furthermore, its energy consumption is low, with a single unit consuming approximately 5-10 kWh per hour. This makes it suitable for the production needs of small and medium-sized production lines (with a single unit capable of flexibly adjusting daily output to 5-20 tons). The investment threshold is significantly lower than that of large-scale drum granulation equipment, enabling companies to quickly achieve operational and profitability.

Disc granulators also align with green production trends. Their enclosed design reduces dust emission from raw materials, and combined with a spray moisturizing system, they effectively control dust pollution during the production process. Some units can also be integrated into the production line’s waste heat recovery system, further reducing energy consumption. For organic fertilizer production companies that pursue high efficiency, economy and environmental protection, disc granulator is undoubtedly the ideal choice to balance quality and cost.

Why Choose a Disc Granulator for Granulation?

In industries requiring granular materials, such as fertilizers, building materials, and metallurgy, the choice of granulation equipment directly impacts production efficiency and product quality. Disc granulators, with their numerous advantages, have become the preferred equipment for many companies.

In terms of granulation efficiency, disc granulators excel. Their unique disc design allows the material to quickly form a stable trajectory during rotation, shortening the time it takes for the material to aggregate and granulate. For example, in fertilizer production, under similar operating conditions, a disc granulator can process dozens of tons of raw materials per hour, increasing efficiency by over 30% compared to traditional granulation equipment. This significantly reduces production cycle time and meets the needs of large-scale production.

Granulation quality is a key consideration when choosing a granulator, and disc granulators offer significant advantages in this regard. By precisely controlling the disc’s rotational speed, inclination, and material moisture content, they achieve uniform granule size, typically maintaining a stable diameter of 2-5 mm. The granules are also strong and resistant to breakage. This characteristic is particularly important in fertilizer production. High-quality granulated fertilizers are not only easy to store and transport, but also ensure uniform nutrient release, improving fertilizer utilization and enhancing product market competitiveness.

The disc granulator’s wide range of applications is a key factor in its popularity. It can efficiently adapt to applications ranging from organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer production lines to the processing of building materials such as cement and expanded clay, and even to the granulation of metal ore powders. Different materials require only adjustments to relevant parameters, eliminating the need for large-scale replacement of equipment components. This reduces equipment costs associated with producing different products and enhances production flexibility.

Disc granulators also offer advantages in terms of energy consumption and cost. Their relatively simple structure and low power consumption during operation can reduce energy costs per ton of material produced by 15%-20% compared to other types of granulators. Furthermore, the equipment’s low manufacturing and maintenance costs, along with the limited number of wearing parts and easy replacement, reduce ongoing operating expenses and offer significant financial savings.

Overall, the disc granulator‘s advantages in efficiency, quality, applicability, and cost make it an ideal choice for granulation production.

Key Maintenance Points for Disc Granulators in Organic Fertilizer Production Lines

In organic fertilizer production lines, the disc granulator is the core equipment for raw material processing. Its operating condition directly affects product quality and production efficiency. Scientific maintenance can extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and lower costs. The following details maintenance methods from three perspectives: daily, periodic, and long-term.

Daily maintenance requires “cleaning and inspection in tandem.” After each shutdown, promptly clean the discs of residual material to prevent hardening and scratching of the disc surface or increased operating load. Use soft tools to prevent damage to the liner. Also, check the disc’s tilt angle (normally 45°-55°). If offset, correct it using the bracket bolts. Observe the transmission system daily for abnormal noise and check the motor and reducer temperatures. If the temperature exceeds 60°C, shut down the machine for inspection.

Regular maintenance focuses on “component maintenance and lubrication.” Perform a comprehensive weekly inspection, focusing on the meshing of the transmission gears. Adjust and replace any wear or excessive clearance. Inspect the bearing seals to prevent dust intrusion. Replace the bearing grease monthly. Choose a high-temperature, dust-resistant lithium-based grease, filling it to fill 2/3 of the bearing’s internal space. Disassemble and inspect the scraper blade quarterly. If the blade wear exceeds 3mm, polish or replace it. Ensure a 1-2mm gap between the blade and the liner to prevent material adhesion.

For long-term maintenance, maintain “equipment inspection and record keeping.” Perform a comprehensive annual disassembly and inspection. If the liner thickness decreases by 1/3, replace it entirely. Perform a flaw inspection on the frame to identify any weld cracks and repair them. Maintain a maintenance log, recording maintenance times, details, and replaced parts. Use data analysis to predict failures and plan maintenance in advance.

In short, disc granulator maintenance should adhere to the principle of “prevention first, prevention combined.” This involves combining daily cleaning, regular maintenance, and ongoing inspections to ensure optimal equipment operation and a stable and efficient organic fertilizer production line.

Key Maintenance Points for Disc Granulators in Organic Fertilizer Production Lines

In organic fertilizer production lines, the disc granulator is the core equipment for raw material processing. Its operating condition directly affects product quality and production efficiency. Scientific maintenance can extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and lower costs. The following details maintenance methods from three perspectives: daily, periodic, and long-term.

Daily maintenance requires “cleaning and inspection in tandem.” After each shutdown, promptly clean the discs of residual material to prevent hardening and scratching of the disc surface or increased operating load. Use soft tools to prevent damage to the liner. Also, check the disc’s tilt angle (normally 45°-55°). If offset, correct it using the bracket bolts. Observe the transmission system daily for abnormal noise and check the motor and reducer temperatures. If the temperature exceeds 60°C, shut down the machine for inspection.

Regular maintenance focuses on “component maintenance and lubrication.” Perform a comprehensive weekly inspection, focusing on the meshing of the transmission gears. Adjust and replace any wear or excessive clearance. Inspect the bearing seals to prevent dust intrusion. Replace the bearing grease monthly. Choose a high-temperature, dust-resistant lithium-based grease, filling it to fill 2/3 of the bearing’s internal space. Disassemble and inspect the scraper blade quarterly. If the blade wear exceeds 3mm, polish or replace it. Ensure a 1-2mm gap between the blade and the liner to prevent material adhesion.

For long-term maintenance, maintain “equipment inspection and record keeping.” Perform a comprehensive annual disassembly and inspection. If the liner thickness decreases by 1/3, replace it entirely. Perform a flaw inspection on the frame to identify any weld cracks and repair them. Maintain a maintenance log, recording maintenance times, details, and replaced parts. Use data analysis to predict failures and plan maintenance in advance.

In short, disc granulator maintenance should adhere to the principle of “prevention first, prevention combined.” This involves combining daily cleaning, regular maintenance, and ongoing inspections to ensure optimal equipment operation and a stable and efficient organic fertilizer production line.

Factors Affecting the Production of Compound Fertilizers Using a Disc Granulator

When producing compound fertilizers using a disc granulator, many factors influence granulation, such as disc diameter, disc speed, disc inclination, nozzle aperture, and moisture content. Generally speaking, disc inclination has a greater impact on the granulation rate, while disc speed has a greater influence on the compressive strength of the granules.

The moisture content of disc granulation significantly influences both the granulation rate and the compressive strength of the granules. When the moisture content of the material is controlled within the range of 16%-20%, the granulation rate and compressive strength of the granules are optimal. Too little moisture results in a low granulation rate; too much moisture causes the material to clump and stick together, resulting in a reduced granulation rate. When the moisture content is too low, the compressive strength of the granules increases with increasing moisture content, which is beneficial for improving the compressive strength of the granules. However, when the moisture content is too high, the excess moisture disrupts the interactions between fertilizer molecules, causing the dried granules to crack and resulting in a decrease in compressive strength. Before using a disc granulator, the optimal moisture content, disc speed, and disc inclination angle should be tested to ensure high fertilizer production line efficiency and high pellet quality. Furthermore, the finer the raw material powder, the better the granulation effect.

Disc granulators are widely used in organic fertilizer production lines and compound fertilizer production lines. Fertilizer production using disc granulators offers low investment, high output, simple process, and intuitive operation, resulting in excellent economic and social benefits.

Application of Disc Granulators in NPK Fertilizer Production Lines

In the NPK fertilizer production line, disc granulators are a widely used and highly favored granulation equipment.

The disc granulator‘s structure is relatively simple yet unique. It primarily consists of an inclined disc, a drive mechanism, and a spray system. The disc, the core of the granulation process, is typically constructed of high-strength steel to ensure it can withstand the various forces involved in the granulation process. The drive mechanism provides stable rotational power to the disc, ensuring it rotates at an appropriate speed.

The disc’s operating principle is based on the movement and interaction of the materials within the rotating disc. When the mixed NPK fertilizer raw materials are fed into the rotating disc, the disc’s tilt and rotational motion cause the materials to roll upward along the disc’s inner wall due to a combination of centrifugal force, friction, and gravity. During this rolling process, a spray system applies a binder to the material. The binder acts like “glue,” gradually binding the loose raw material particles together and causing them to aggregate and grow. Over time, these agglomerated particles continuously roll and collide within the disc, further compacting and shaping them, ultimately forming relatively uniformly sized round granules that roll off the disc’s edge, completing the granulation process.

Disc granulators offer numerous advantages. First, they produce fertilizer granules with high roundness, excellent appearance, and strong market competitiveness. Second, they are relatively simple to operate and easy to master, requiring minimal operator skill. Furthermore, disc granulators are highly adaptable and can produce fertilizer granules of varying sizes to meet diverse market demands by adjusting parameters such as disc speed, tilt angle, and binder spraying rate to meet specific production needs.

However, disc granulators also have limitations. For example, compared to some large-scale granulation equipment, their production efficiency may be relatively low, making them less suitable for large-scale industrial production. Furthermore, when processing high-viscosity raw materials, material may stick to the disc, affecting granulation efficiency and equipment operation. Nevertheless, due to their unique advantages, disc granulators still play an important role in the production of NPK compound fertilizers by small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as in production scenarios where the appearance of fertilizer granules is a high priority.