A brief discussion on the key role of extrusion in the organic fertilizer industry

In organic fertilizer production lines, there’s a seemingly simple yet crucial process: extrusion granulation. It transforms loose, uneven powdered organic raw materials into uniform, solid granules. This isn’t just a change in form; it’s a crucial step in improving the quality and modernizing the development of organic fertilizer.

Although rich in nutrients, unprocessed powdered organic fertilizer faces numerous challenges in practical application. First, its low density and bulk increase storage and transportation costs. Second, during application, powdered fertilizer is easily dispersed by the wind, resulting in fertilizer loss and environmental pollution. Extrusion technology specifically addresses these issues.

The extrusion process applies tremendous pressure to a fertilizer granulator, forcing the fine fertilizer powder through a specialized die, where it is squeezed into uniform, high-density, and strong granules.

The widespread adoption of extrusion granulation technology marks a significant shift in the organic fertilizer industry from extensive to refined, and from traditional to modern. This enables the standardization and commercialization of organic fertilizer products, shedding their image as “earth-based fertilizer” and making them more readily accepted and trusted by large-scale farms and specialized agricultural practitioners.

In short, these tiny fertilizer pellets embody not only rich organic matter but also the wisdom of modern processing technology. Extrusion molding, as a core component, continues to provide solid technical support for improving quality, increasing efficiency, and promoting green development in the organic fertilizer industry.

The “Competition” between large wheel compost turners and traditional compost turning equipment

In the field of organic waste treatment, compost turning equipment is a critical tool. The emergence of large wheel compost turning machines has disrupted the traditional compost turning system, creating a fierce competition with it.

Traditional trough compost turning machines typically require the construction of fixed fermentation tanks, which not only limits the equipment’s flexibility but also takes up a significant amount of site space. For example, a small organic waste treatment project with a daily processing capacity of 10 tons would require the construction of at least two fermentation tanks, each 10 meters long and 3 meters wide. Including the spacing between the tanks and the operating space, the total area required is approximately 100 square meters.

Large wheel compost turning machines, on the other hand, have relatively low site requirements. Without the need for fixed fermentation tanks, they can operate in more open areas. To process the same 10 tons of organic waste, a large wheel compost turning machine may only require approximately 60 square meters of site space, significantly saving space.

Traditional compost turning equipment has a relatively limited turning range, typically 5-10 meters wide and 1-1.5 meters deep. Large-wheel compost turning machines, on the other hand, can reach widths of up to 30 meters and depths of 1.5-3 meters, enabling them to cover a wider area and greater depths.

Conventional equipment can have blind spots, resulting in incomplete fermentation of some materials. Large wheel compost turning machines, through symmetrical turning and a speed-adjustable, shifting trolley, achieve seamless turning, ensuring more even mixing and more complete fermentation.

Disc granulator: An efficient “Pellet Former” in fertilizer production

In fertilizer granulation production, disc granulators, with their simple structure and easy operation, have become a common tool for small and medium-sized fertilizer companies. They are particularly widely used in granulating compound and organic fertilizer raw materials.

In terms of its core structure, a disc granulator primarily consists of an inclined disc, a transmission system, a distributor, a spray system, and a frame. The disc’s tilt angle and rotational speed are key parameters. Typically, the tilt angle is controlled between 15° and 30°, and the rotational speed is maintained between 15 and 30 rpm. By adjusting these two parameters, fertilizer raw materials of varying moisture and particle size can be accommodated. The transmission system often utilizes a gear reduction design to ensure smooth disc operation and prevent uneven particle size due to speed fluctuations.

During operation, the mixed fertilizer raw materials are evenly delivered by the distributor into the rotating disc. As the disc rotates, the raw materials roll along the inner wall of the disc under the combined effects of centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. At this point, the spray device precisely applies the binder, gradually agglomerating the raw materials into small particles. As the particles continue to roll, they absorb the raw materials and grow larger. Once they reach the desired particle size, they overflow from the edge of the disc and enter the subsequent stages.

This disc granulator offers advantages in highly uniform granulation, low energy consumption, and low maintenance costs; only regular inspections of the disc wear and lubrication of the transmission components are required.

New type organic fertilizer granulator: Core equipment for efficient organic fertilizer conversion

With the development of organic agriculture, the diversification and high moisture content of organic fertilizer raw materials (such as straw, livestock and poultry manure, and mushroom residue) have driven technological upgrades in new type organic fertilizer granulators. Their optimized design, tailored to the characteristics of these raw materials, has significantly improved production efficiency and the quality of the finished product.

The new type organic fertilizer granulator features a new raw material conditioning system and an anti-sticking device. The conditioning system precisely controls the addition of steam or warm water to adjust the high-moisture organic fertilizer raw materials to a suitable moisture content for granulation (40%-50%), preventing clumping and loose granules. The anti-sticking device sprays a special wear-resistant coating on the inner wall of the granulation chamber, reducing the stickiness of the organic fertilizer raw materials and reducing cleaning frequency.

In terms of workflow, pre-treated organic fertilizer raw materials first enter the conditioning system for humidity and temperature adjustment before being transported to the granulation chamber. The spiral or extrusion mechanism within the granulation chamber mechanically compresses the raw materials into granules. The granules are then trimmed to a uniform size by a cutting device before entering a cooling system for final shaping.

The core value of the new type organic fertilizer granulator lies in its ability to efficiently process highly viscous and high-moisture organic fertilizer raw materials. The resulting granules are high in strength and water-solubility, while also reducing raw material waste. This equipment provides support for large-scale, high-quality production in the organic fertilizer industry.

How to choose a suitable drum screener machine for organic fertilizer production?

In the organic fertilizer production process, the quality of material screening directly affects the particle uniformity and application effectiveness of the finished fertilizer. Therefore, selecting an appropriate drum screener machine is crucial. Considering the material characteristics and process requirements of organic fertilizer production, the following key aspects should be considered when selecting a suitable drum screening machine.

First, focus on the equipment’s processing capacity and screening efficiency. Organic fertilizer production is often a continuous process, so the equipment must be able to match the overall production line capacity to avoid material accumulation due to slow screening speeds. Furthermore, screening efficiency must meet industry standards to ensure rapid separation of materials of varying particle sizes and minimize unscreened material residue. When selecting a drum screener machine, pay particular attention to its ability to screen wet and easily agglomerated materials. The equipment must be able to effectively handle these materials and avoid clogging of the screen openings.

Second, consider the equipment’s wear and corrosion resistance. Organic fertilizer materials may contain corrosive components or hard impurities. A high-quality drum screener machine should use wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials for its core components, especially the screen and drum lining. This reduces the need for routine maintenance, extends the equipment’s lifespan, and minimizes the risk of production interruptions.

Finally, the equipment’s adjustable flexibility and ease of operation must also be considered. Different batches of organic fertilizer may require different screening accuracies, and the equipment should be able to flexibly adjust parameters such as mesh size and vibration frequency to accommodate diverse production needs.

Flat die granulator: An eco-friendly tool for fertilizer pellet formation

In the production of organic and compound fertilizers, pellet formation is a key step in determining fertilizer quality. Flat die granulators, with their adaptability and low energy consumption, have become a mainstream piece of equipment in the industry.

This flat die granulator operates with a clear and efficient process: powdered raw materials fed from a hopper enter the granulation chamber, where they are squeezed into the die holes by the relative motion of a roller and a flat die. The exit cutter then cuts them into uniform cylindrical pellets, eliminating the need for complex pretreatment.

Its core advantages lie in three key areas: a granulation rate exceeding 90%, uniform pellet strength, and the preservation of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is compatible with a wide range of organic materials, including livestock and poultry manure, straw, and humic acid, and can even successfully form crude fiber materials with low cohesiveness. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional drying, enabling direct pelletization with a moisture content of 20%-40%, significantly reducing energy costs.

Amid the trend toward green agriculture, flat die granulator environmental value is particularly prominent. Converting agricultural waste into structured granular fertilizer not only solves the pollution problem of straw and feces, but also improves fertilizer application efficiency. By using molds with different apertures, granule specifications can be flexibly adjusted to meet diverse fertilization needs.

Double roller press granulators: A key force driving green upgrades in the fertilizer industry

The application of double roller press granulators(fertilizer compaction machines) is reshaping the fertilizer production landscape in multiple dimensions and becoming a crucial support for sustainable agricultural development. Their most significant value lies in their waste resource utilization, transforming organic waste such as livestock and poultry manure and straw into granular fertilizer, significantly reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

On the production side, this double roller press granulator offers particularly outstanding environmental advantages. The ambient temperature granulation process eliminates the need for fuel oil or gas drying, eliminating the three wastes emitted throughout the process and eliminating the secondary pollution associated with traditional composting. Furthermore, granulation results in a more uniform nutrient distribution and optimal bulkiness in the fertilizer, increasing plant absorption by over 15% compared to traditional bulk fertilizers and reducing dust loss during transportation and storage.

Equally crucial is its industrial adaptability: A single unit can be used for small production lines, or it can be combined into large-scale units with an hourly output of 50 tons, flexibly meeting diverse scale requirements. From rare earth fertilizers and potash fertilizers to bio-organic fertilizers, double roller press granulators can accommodate a wide range of formulations and even fills a technological gap in the granulation of some specialty compound fertilizers. This combination of flexibility and environmental protection accelerates the transformation of traditional fertilizer production towards green and efficient production.

Chain crusher: An all-round aid for material crushing in multiple industries

Chain crushers are not limited to organic fertilizer production; they also play a vital role in a variety of industries, including chemicals, building materials, and mining. They are truly versatile tools for material crushing in various industries, their flexible adaptability enabling them to deliver outstanding performance in diverse production scenarios.

In the chemical industry, they can pre-process and crush various medium-hardness industrial raw materials (such as sulfur lumps and soda ash agglomerates), providing uniformly sized materials for subsequent chemical reactions or processing steps. This prevents incomplete reactions caused by uneven raw material size and improves the quality and stability of chemical products.

In the building materials sector, chain crushers offer efficient crushing of materials such as limestone and shale. They can adjust the output particle size to meet the diverse particle size requirements of building materials production, such as cement and bricks.

In the mining industry, their high adaptability is particularly evident when dealing with ores of varying hardness, allowing crushing parameters to be adjusted based on the ore’s characteristics to ensure optimal crushing results.

In addition, this chain crusher can also be used in scenarios such as agricultural fertilizer crushing. With its wide applicability, it has become an important equipment in the material crushing process of various industries.

Fertilizer granulator machines: Adaptation strategies for different fertilizer types

Many fertilizer companies switch product categories based on market demand. However, if the compatibility of the fertilizer granulator machine with the fertilizer type is neglected, problems such as reduced granule quality and frequent equipment failures can occur.

For organic fertilizers (including straw and fermented manure), the key requirement is “adaptability to the fiber raw material and avoid entanglement and machine blockage.” Flat die granulators or rotary drum granulators are preferred. The vertical extrusion design of the flat die cuts long fibers, and the trapezoidal, non-slip rollers reduce fiber entanglement. Rotary drum granulators use rolling to form the granules, and the lifting plate evenly lifts the fiber material to avoid localized accumulation.

For compound fertilizers (containing phosphate rock and potassium chloride), the key requirements are “high granule hardness and transport resistance.” The high compression ratio of the ring die granulator allows hard mineral raw materials to be extruded with a compressive strength of over 15N, meeting the requirements of long-distance transportation.

For biofertilizers (containing functional microbial agents), the key principle is “low-temperature granulation to protect the activity of the agents.” A flat die granulator (chamber temperature ≤ 40°C) or a disc granulator (rolling, no high-temperature extrusion) can prevent inactivation of microbial agents.

For slow-release fertilizers (including coating materials), “smooth granules suitable for subsequent coating” are required. The rolling forming method of a rotary drum granulator produces smooth, uniformly sized granules, which prevent the coating from detaching during coating.

Windrow compost turning machines: Breaking site constraints and adapting to flexible fermentation

The core of aerobic fermentation of organic fertilizers lies in uniform oxygen supply and temperature-controlled composting. The site adaptability of compost turning equipment directly determines fermentation efficiency and production flexibility. Windrow compost turning machines, with their trackless mobility and all-terrain adaptability, are a perfect fit for the diverse fermentation scenarios in the fertilizer industry.

From a structural perspective, the core advantage of windrow compost turning machines lies in the synergy between their crawler chassis and flexible turning mechanism. Their wide rubber tracks provide a large contact area and low ground pressure, preventing the vehicle from getting stuck even in muddy composting areas or gravel surfaces after rain, eliminating the need for pre-leveling. The chassis’ steering system supports 360° steering, making it easy to navigate obstacles such as raw material piles and equipment around the fermentation area.

In terms of the turning mechanism, most windrow compost turning machines are equipped with double-auger or blade-type turning components, capable of turning compost up to 1.2-2 meters deep and covering compost piles up to 3-5 meters wide. During operation, the equipment slowly moves along the fermentation pile. The turning components throw the bottom material upward and disperse it to the sides, creating a “rolling up and down, mixing side to side” effect. This not only provides sufficient oxygen for aerobic bacteria but also quickly dissipates the heat generated by fermentation.

For fertilizer companies, the value of a windrow compost turning machine lies not only in its flexibility but also in its ability to accommodate multiple fermentation batches. For example, the same site can simultaneously process both a “fresh feed pile” and a “mature compost pile,” allowing the equipment to flexibly switch between different piles, resulting in fermentation efficiency improvements of over 30% compared to track-type compost turners.