The Ultimate Granulation Plant

Abstract

The ultimate granulation plant is the plant that can make multiple formulations (N, P, K, S, MN) of granular products including DAP, MAP, NPK, NP(K)S, and TSP and can also add Micro-Nutrients. In the past a granulation plant made one product and shipped the product to a retailer that blended ingredients for the customer. Today the trend is to have the fertilizer producer combine the ingredients in the granulation process for the customer. The reason for the trend away from the blend plant is consistency in chemistry appearance and size. The fertilizer blend eventually segregates into the original components resulting in unequal distribution of the different chemical components on the field. If the ingredients are combined in the granule, they cannot segregate which results in a more consistent application of the components. The ultimate granulation plant produces granules with all the components mixed together. JESA Technologies is involved in designing granulation plants capable of making many different formulations. This paper will review design considerations for the ultimate plant including the technology basis, major equipment selection, and process operating factors that impact the productivity of the granulation train.