Rotary Drum Granulator – fertilizer production line

A comprehensive analysis of the harmful effects of excessive N, P, and K fertilizers on plants

Written by fertilizer production line on January 26th, 2026.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential macronutrients for plants. NPK fertilizer production lines process them into granular fertilizers using equipment such as rotary drum granulators or disc granulators. However, blindly applying excessive amounts not only fails to promote growth but also disrupts plant physiological metabolism, causing growth problems, leading to reduced yield and quality. The harmful effects of excessive amounts of different elements vary.

Excessive nitrogen fertilizer easily leads to “excessive vegetative growth and poor fruit set” in plants. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer stimulates excessive vegetative growth, resulting in thin stems, dark green leaves, poor ventilation and light penetration, reduced resistance to lodging and pests/diseases, and increased susceptibility to aphids and powdery mildew. In fruits and vegetables, this results in fewer flowers, lower fruit set, deformed fruits, insufficient sweetness, delayed maturity, and compromised quality.

Excessive phosphorus fertilizer causes “nutrient antagonism” and growth stagnation. Excessive phosphorus inhibits the absorption of zinc, iron, and calcium by plants, leading to chlorosis and yellowing of leaves, slow growth of new leaves, and poor root development. Simultaneously, it exacerbates soil compaction, impairs root respiration, and weakens plant growth, with more pronounced harm to calcium- and zinc-loving crops.

Excessive potassium fertilizer causes “physiological imbalance.” Excessive potassium disrupts nutrient balance, inhibits nitrogen and magnesium absorption, and causes leaf edges to scorch and curl, resulting in “leaf burn.” It also affects water transport, reducing plant drought resistance, causing root aging, and hindering fruit enlargement, leading to small or stunted fruit.

In summary, excessive application of granular fertilizer produced by NPK fertilizer production lines will damage plants and pollute the soil in multiple ways. It is necessary to precisely control the nutrient content of granules, rationally manage the amount of fertilizer applied, and follow the principle of “light and frequent fertilization.”

Packaging and storage of fertilizer granules: A critical aspect for maintaining quality

Written by fertilizer production line on January 23rd, 2026.

The packaging and storage of fertilizer granules directly affect their nutrient stability, granule integrity, and shelf life, and must be adapted to the characteristics of granules produced by equipment such as rotary drum granulators and double roller press granulators. The core principle is to isolate the granules from external influences, prevent chemical reactions, and ensure safe storage and transportation, requiring adherence to specific operating procedures.

Packaging focuses on “sealing, leak-proofing, and easy identification.” Granules produced by rotary drum granulators require emphasis on moisture protection, while granules from double roller press granulators require enhanced protection against crushing. The preferred packaging material is a laminated woven bag with a PE liner, sealed with heat sealing or double-stitched seams to prevent leakage. Common packaging sizes are 25kg and 50kg, with labels indicating nutrient content, shelf life, and storage precautions. For granules that are easily hygroscopic or volatile, desiccants or moisture-proof inner liners can be added for enhanced protection.

Storage requires strict control of the environment and stacking methods. Storage spaces must be dry, well-ventilated, cool, and protected from light, with a relative humidity of ≤60% and a temperature of 5-30℃, to prevent granule caking and nutrient decomposition. When stacking, use pallets to elevate the bags 10-15cm from the ground and walls, and maintain a moderate stacking height to prevent crushing of the bottom layer of granules.

Furthermore, fertilizer granules produced by different fertilizer granulator machines should be stored separately to avoid mixing and potential chemical reactions; measures should be taken to prevent rodents and insects, and to prevent contamination. Regular inspections of packaging and granule condition are necessary, and any damage or caking should be addressed promptly.

The core purpose of granulation: Why is it a key production process?

Written by fertilizer production line on January 22nd, 2026.

Granulation is not simply the transformation of powder into granules; it is a core method for upgrading material value through morphological reshaping, utilizing equipment such as rotary drum granulators and disc granulators.

It addresses the inherent defects of powdered materials. Powdered materials are prone to severe dusting and clumping, leading to wasted raw materials and safety hazards. After processing with disc granulators and rotary drum granulators, the granules have improved sealing properties, significantly reducing dusting and clumping problems, lowering transportation and storage losses, and creating a safer working environment, meeting the environmental protection requirements of industries such as fertilizers and chemicals.

It allows for precise control of material properties. By adjusting the parameters of the fertilizer granulator, the size and strength of the granules can be controlled, optimizing the dissolution and release efficiency of the material. In agriculture, granular fertilizers produced by rotary drum and disc granulators can achieve slow-release of nutrients; in the chemical industry, double roller press granulators can customize granule morphology to improve reaction rates.

It achieves component homogenization. Granulators allow multi-component materials to be tightly combined, preventing imbalances in proportions during use. Granular products have regular shapes and controllable quality, making it easy to create standardized products and increasing market acceptance.

In summary, granulation, relying on various specialized equipment, solves production pain points through morphological optimization, giving materials better performance and economic value. This is the fundamental reason why it has become an indispensable part of many industries.

Understanding the essence, value, and applications of granulation technology

Written by fertilizer production line on January 20th, 2026.

Granulation technology is a processing technique that transforms powdered, lumpy, or liquid raw materials into granular products of specific size, strength, and shape through physical, chemical, or biological methods. Its core purpose is to optimize the characteristics of raw materials and solve problems such as dust generation, difficulty in storage and transportation, and uneven mixing of powdered materials.

The core value of granulation technology lies not only in improving the physical form of materials but also in enabling precise control of nutrients or components. In the agricultural field, powdered fertilizers, after granulation, become uniform in size and have moderate strength, preventing scattering during application and improving utilization. It also allows for the proportional mixing of multiple nutrients during granulation, enabling balanced fertilization.

Mainstream granulation technologies are divided into two categories: physical granulation and chemical granulation, with physical granulation being the most widely used. Physical granulation relies on mechanical force or physical action for shaping. Common types include rotary drum granulation,double roller press granulation, and disc granulation technology. For example, rotary drum granulators use centrifugal force and friction to roll and shape the material, while double roller press granulators use high pressure to densify powdered materials without requiring excessive binders. Chemical granulation, on the other hand, utilizes chemical reactions to produce granular products from raw materials and is mostly used in the production of specific chemical products.

In addition to agricultural fertilizer production, granulation technology is also widely used in pharmaceutical tablet formation, food and feed pellet processing. With technological advancements, granulation technology is increasingly focused on environmental protection and efficiency, further improving processing stability and product quality.

Comprehensive analysis of products processed by rotary drum granulators

Written by fertilizer production line on January 19th, 2026.

With its advantages of stable granulation, wide adaptability, and suitability for large-scale production, the rotary drum granulator has become a core fertilizer granulation equipment in the fertilizer industry, capable of processing various types of granular fertilizers.

Organic Fertilizer Series: It can process raw materials such as livestock and poultry manure and straw into ordinary organic fertilizer granules. The finished product has uniform particle size and moderate strength, making it easy to store and transport; it can also process bio-organic fertilizers; in addition, organic-inorganic compound fertilizers can also be produced using rotary drum granulators by mixing organic materials with inorganic fertilizer raw materials for granulation.

Compound Fertilizer Series: It can process nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizers. By precisely proportioning raw materials such as urea, monoammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride, it can produce general-purpose or special-purpose compound fertilizers with different nutrient ratios to meet the needs of different crops; it can also process compound fertilizers containing trace elements by mixing magnesium sulfate, zinc sulfate, etc., into the basic fertilizer raw materials to achieve comprehensive nutrient supplementation and improve crop quality; it is also suitable for processing slow-release compound fertilizers.

In addition, the rotary drum granulator can also process some special fertilizers, such as fertilizers for flowers and seedlings. By adjusting the raw material ratio and granulation parameters, it can produce granular fertilizers that meet the growth needs of specific crops; it can also process industrial waste such as slag and fly ash into environmentally friendly fertilizers, achieving resource utilization.

How to choose the right fertilizer granulator based on your production needs?

Written by fertilizer production line on January 15th, 2026.

The selection of a fertilizer granulator directly impacts production efficiency, product quality, and overall costs. The key is to match the granulator to your specific production needs. Consider key dimensions such as fertilizer type, production capacity, and finished granule requirements.

Prioritize based on fertilizer type. For organic fertilizers, rotary drum granulators or disc granulators are recommended. Both are suitable for fermented and composted organic materials such as livestock manure and straw. Rotary drum granulators are better suited for large-scale production, while disc granulators are suitable for small to medium-sized production capacities and scenarios requiring high granule uniformity. For compound fertilizers, consider rotary drum granulators or double roller press granulators. Rotary drum granulators are suitable for multi-material mixing and granulation, while double roller press granulators do not require additional water and are suitable for heat-sensitive and water-soluble raw materials.

Refine your selection based on production capacity. For small to medium capacities (50-200 tons per day), a disc granulator is a good choice due to its small footprint, simple operation, and low investment cost. For medium to large capacities (over 200 tons per day), a rotary drum granulator is recommended due to its strong continuous production capacity and high stability, and it can be integrated into a complete production line for automated operation. For small-batch trial production or processing of special materials, the flexibility of a double roller press granulator is more advantageous.

Consider finished granule requirements and costs. If high granule strength and uniform particle size are required, rotary drum granulators and double roller press granulators perform better; for high granule roundness requirements, a disc granulator is the preferred choice. Also consider energy consumption and environmental requirements, prioritizing models with good sealing and effective dust control to reduce future environmental investment. By considering all these dimensions, you can select a granulator that perfectly matches your production needs.

Common types of bio-organic fertilizers: Adapting to production lines and equipment

Written by fertilizer production line on January 13th, 2026.

Bio-organic fertilizers are environmentally friendly and have long-lasting effects, making them a core fertilizer in modern agriculture. Their diverse types depend on bio-organic fertilizer production lines and supporting equipment. They can be precisely classified according to raw material source, functional characteristics, and dosage form. Different types have varying nutrient compositions and application scenarios, requiring selection based on specific planting needs.

Based on raw material source, livestock and poultry manure-based fertilizers are the most common, using chicken manure, cow manure, etc., as raw materials, fermented through bio-organic fertilizer production lines. They are high in organic matter, improve soil compaction, and are suitable for a wide range of applications including field crops and fruits and vegetables. Straw and fungal residue-based fertilizers use straw and fungal residue as raw materials, rich in fiber to improve soil aeration, and are suitable for improving clayey soils.

Based on functional characteristics, functional microbial fertilizers add nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphorus-solubilizing and potassium-solubilizing bacteria, etc., to address soil nutrient imbalances and crop diseases, suitable for barren or continuously cropped land. Amino acid-based fertilizers add amino acid components, providing quick results, suitable for crop seedling and fruit development stages. Both types require precise control of components using bio-organic fertilizer equipment to ensure fertilizer efficiency.

Based on dosage form, powdered fertilizers dissolve quickly and are suitable for irrigation and broadcasting; granular fertilizers, processed by rotary drum granulators, are easy to store and transport, have long-lasting effects, and are suitable for mechanical fertilization and large-scale planting. Precisely matching the type to the needs maximizes the value of bio-organic fertilizers.

Types of organic fertilizer materials and processing characteristics suitable for rotary drum granulators

Written by fertilizer production line on January 12th, 2026.

The rotary drum granulator, with its strong adaptability to various materials and high granulation rate, has become a core piece of equipment in organic fertilizer production lines. It can process organic materials from multiple sources, covering various fields such as livestock farming, agriculture, and industrial processing.

Livestock and poultry manure is the most common suitable material, including chicken manure, pig manure, cow manure, and sheep manure. These materials are rich in basic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. After fermentation and composting, they have a loose texture and a certain viscosity, which meets the granulation requirements of the rotary drum granulator. The rotating agitation of the drum allows the manure material to be fully mixed with auxiliary materials, resulting in granules with moderate strength, effectively solving the problems of seedling burning and environmental pollution caused by the direct application of livestock and poultry manure.

Agricultural straw materials can also be processed by the rotary drum granulator, such as corn stalks, wheat stalks, and rice stalks. Straw is rich in cellulose and organic matter. After crushing and fermentation, it needs to be used in combination with viscous materials such as livestock and poultry manure. The rolling granulation of the drum allows the straw powder to be evenly coated and formed, which not only increases the organic matter content of the organic fertilizer but also realizes the resource utilization of agricultural waste.

In addition, the rotary drum granulator can also process industrial organic waste materials, such as distiller’s grains, vinegar residue, furfural residue, and pharmaceutical waste. These materials are rich in nutrients, but their composition is complex and their moisture content fluctuates greatly. The rotary drum granulator can adapt to the characteristics of different wastes by adjusting the rotation speed and material ratio, converting them into qualified organic fertilizer granules. At the same time, urban and rural organic waste such as kitchen waste and garden fallen leaves, after sorting and fermentation, can also be granulated and recycled through the rotary drum granulator.

From raw materials to granules: The journey to the birth of modern NPK fertilizer

Written by fertilizer production line on January 12th, 2026.

NPK compound fertilizers, widely used in modern agricultural production, undergo a precise and systematic industrial processing procedure. From basic chemical raw materials to uniformly shaped granules, this NPK fertilizer production line integrates chemical synthesis and physical processing technologies, forming a standardized manufacturing system.

Production begins with the precise measurement and synthesis reaction of raw materials. Different proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium base materials undergo chemical reactions under controlled conditions to generate a complex containing the target nutrients. This chemical stage establishes the core nutrient content and ratio of the product.

The synthesized slurry then enters the crucial physical molding stage. The rotary drum granulator plays a vital role in this process. By precisely controlling temperature and humidity, these granules achieve a stable physical morphology, preparing them for subsequent processing.

The newly generated granules require complete post-processing. After drying and cooling, the sieving process grades the granules according to their specifications. At this point, lumps with excessively large particle sizes are returned to the previous process, re-crushed in a fertilizer crusher, and then re-granulated. This cycle ensures high raw material utilization and uniform product particle size.

It is worth mentioning that some of the large-particle base fertilizers obtained after drying and screening can be used as raw materials to directly enter another flexible production path—through bulk blending fertilizer machines, they can be quickly and physically mixed with other single-element fertilizers or micronutrients according to actual field needs to produce customized blended fertilizers.

NPK compound fertilizer additives: The key to quality improvement in the production process

Written by fertilizer production line on January 12th, 2026.

In NPK compound fertilizer production, although additives account for a small proportion of the total volume, they directly affect product quality, storage stability, and application effectiveness. Different types of additives need to be precisely matched to each stage of the NPK fertilizer production line. Scientific application can effectively solve problems such as caking, loose granules, and nutrient loss, thereby enhancing product competitiveness.

Anti-caking agents are a core category, mostly added during the raw material mixing stage in the fertilizer mixer machine or after granulation in the granulator. Common types include hydrophobic (mineral oil, silicones) and adsorbent (zeolite powder, diatomaceous earth). The former forms a protective film on the surface of the granules to isolate water and oxygen, while the latter adsorbs free moisture. Both can reduce the risk of caking, especially suitable for NPK fertilizers with high nitrogen and high humidity formulations.

Binding and conditioning agents are suitable for the granulation stage, ensuring molding quality. Binders (starch, lignin sulfonate) increase material viscosity, improving the molding rate of NPK fertilizer granulators and reducing powdering; conditioning agents optimize granule strength and smoothness, adapting to different granulation processes such as rotary drum granulator. The amount of additive needs to be adjusted according to the characteristics of the raw materials to avoid excessively hard granules or slow dissolution.

Nutrient efficiency enhancers need to be added during the mixing stage in the fertilizer mixer machine to improve fertilizer utilization. For example, urease inhibitors delay nitrogen volatilization, phosphorus activators reduce phosphorus fixation, and trace element chelating agents improve nutrient stability. Strict adherence to the formula ratio is necessary to ensure synergy with the main nutrients and avoid affecting fertilizer efficiency.

In summary, the core of additive application is “functional matching to the process stage and precise dosage.” Scientific selection based on raw materials and product requirements is essential to maximize their value and consistently produce high-quality NPK compound fertilizers.