Rotary Drum Granulator for NPK Fertilizer Production

Equipment in Action

Rotary drum granulators are suitable for continuous NPK, GSSP, GTSP and other fertilizer production lines. SYM can customize the equipment according to the raw materials, required capacity, target granule size and site conditions.

Feature

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Steam Granulation System

The rotary drum granulator is equipped with an internal steam injection system. Steam is introduced directly into the granulation drum during operation. It increases the material temperature and improves the liquid phase condition for granulation. This helps stabilize the process and promotes faster granule growth.

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Internal Lifting Plate Structure

Special lifting plates are installed inside the drum. As the drum rotates, the plates continuously lift and cascade the materials. This action forms a material curtain inside the drum. It improves mixing efficiency and increases particle collisions, accelerating granule formation.

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Anti-Sticking Lining Design

The inner wall of the drum can be equipped with a rubber liner to reduce material adhesion. During rotation, the liner undergoes slight elastic deformation. This movement helps release materials that stick to the surface. The liner creates a natural self-cleaning effect. It prevents buildup and caking inside the drum. In many cases, it can replace traditional internal scraper systems and maintain stable operation.

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Customizable Granulation Methods

The rotary drum granulator supports different granulation methods depending on the production process. It can operate with steam granulation or chemical reaction granulation. For example, ammoniation reactions can occur inside the drum during production. This flexibility allows the equipment to adapt to various NPK fertilizer formulations.

Structure

Drum Shell

The drum shell is the main body of the rotary drum granulator, typically fabricated from rolled carbon steel plates. It forms the rotating chamber where raw materials tumble, mix, and gradually form fertilizer granules during the granulation process.

Support System

Large riding rings (tyres) mounted around the shell support the drum. These rings rest on rotary support rollers, which carry the weight of the drum and allow smooth and stable rotation during operation.

Drive System

The drive system consists of a motor, reducer, pinion gear, and large girth gear mounted on the drum. The motor drives the pinion, which meshes with the girth gear to rotate the granulation drum at a controlled speed.

Cleaning Mechanism

To prevent material buildup on the drum shell, the equipment can be equipped with cleaning devices such as external knockers or mechanical scrapers when required. These systems help maintain stable operation and prevent internal blockage.

Principle

Feeding

Raw materials enter the rotating drum through the feed inlet. The slightly inclined granulation drum allows materials to move gradually toward the discharge end during operation.

Steam Injection

Specialized nozzles inject steam into the material bed, providing heat and moisture that improve the liquid phase condition for granulation.

Agglomeration

As the drum rotates, internal lifting plates raise and cascade the materials. Particles roll and collide continuously, forming seed pellets that grow layer by layer into spherical granules.

Discharge

Granules reaching the desired size move toward the discharge outlet. The finished granules are then discharged for cooling and screening.

Application

Our rotary drum granulators are engineered for versatile production, offering scalable solutions for fertilizer plants of all sizes.

NPK Compound Fertilizer: The industry standard for high-efficiency granulation, supporting both steam and chemical reaction processes.
Ammonium Phosphate (DAP/MAP): Optimized for stable production of high-strength phosphate granules.
Organic-Inorganic Blends: Transforming livestock manure or waste composites into uniform, marketable fertilizer spheres.
Bulk Blending (BB) Upgrading: A cost-effective way to upgrade blended powders into high-quality granules to increase product value.

Advantage

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High Granulation Rate

The rotary drum granulator typically achieves a granulation rate of over 70%. This reduces recycle material and improves overall production efficiency.

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Large-Scale Continuous Production

The drum granulator is designed for continuous industrial operation and can support medium to large fertilizer production lines with stable output.

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Lower Energy Consumption

Reaction heat and optimized drum operation help reduce moisture content in granules, lowering the energy required in the downstream drying process.

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Easy Maintenance

The equipment structure is relatively simple and robust, allowing convenient inspection and maintenance, which reduces downtime and operating costs.

Technical Specifications

Model	Drum Size (mm)	Rotation Speed (rpm)	Shell Thickness (mm)	Capacity (tph)	Power (kw)	Tilt Angle (°)
SYM-1060	Φ1000*6000	13	10	2-5	7.5	2-2.5°
SYM-1260	Φ1200*6000	13	10	3-6	11	2-2.5°
SYM-1560	Φ1500*6000	13	10	6-8	15	2-2.5°
SYM-1870	Φ1800*7000	13	12	8-10	18.5	2-2.5°
SYM-2080	Φ2000*8000	11.5	12	10-15	22	2-2.5°
SYM-2290	Φ2200*9000	11.5	14	15-20	30	2-2.5°
SYM-2410	Φ2400*10000	11.5	16	15-20	37	2-2.5°

FAQ

1. What raw materials can be processed in a rotary drum granulator?

The machine is suitable for various fertilizer materials including ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, urea, potassium chloride, and mixed NPK powders.

2. What is the typical capacity of a rotary drum granulator?

Depending on drum diameter and design, the capacity can range from several tons per hour to more than 30 t/h.

3. How does a drum granulator differ from a disc granulator?

A drum granulator is better suited for continuous large-scale production, while disc granulators are often used in smaller production lines.

4. Can the equipment handle corrosive materials?

Yes. Corrosion-resistant materials and liners can be used to ensure stable operation when processing acidic or reactive fertilizer components.

Rotary Drum Granulator