Fertilizer granulation is a process in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering that transforms powdered fertilizer raw materials into granules. Fertilizer mixer normally use intensive granulating mixer. Forming granules can slow down the dissolution rate of nutrients, reduce damage to seeds or seedlings and nutrient loss, and facilitate uniform application through machinery such as centrifugal spreaders. The granulation process significantly affects the physicochemical properties of fertilizers, thereby influencing crop yield and nutrient utilization efficiency. The development of this technology includes early wet granulation, breakthroughs in granulation technology for sandy fertilizers, and production quality monitoring technology based on deep learning.
The granulation process can significantly alter the physicochemical properties of fertilizers (such as dissolution rate, compressive strength, etc.), thereby affecting their agronomic effects, such as crop yield, nutrient utilization efficiency, and environmental risks.
The common compound fertilizer granulation processes mainly include: spray granulation (SG), new needle granulation (NNG), high-tower granulation (HTG), and drum granulation (DG). Among them, the fertilizer produced by the new needle granulation (NNG) process has a faster dissolution rate and lower compressive strength.
In terms of quality control, online monitoring technology for particle size based on deep learning and computer vision is being researched, aiming to replace traditional manual observation methods and achieve intelligent and unmanned fertilizer granulation production.
