The impact of material moisture on rotary drum granulator production and optimization strategies

In industries like fertilizers, animal feed, and chemicals, the rotary drum granulator is a core piece of equipment for pellet production. Proper moisture control is crucial for stable operation of the granulation process.

1.Moisture Too High

Harder Pellet Formation: Overly wet material tends to clump, forming large lumps or irregular pellets, reducing the finished product yield.

Increased Drying Load: High-moisture material needs longer drying times, raising energy use and production costs.

Severe Equipment Buildup: Excess moisture causes material to stick to the drum walls, affecting mixing uniformity and potentially clogging the machine.

2.Moisture Too Low

Weak Pellet Strength: Insufficient moisture makes it hard for material to bind effectively, resulting in loose, fragile pellets that harm product quality.

More Dust: Dry material tumbling inside the rotary drum granulator creates more dust, polluting the environment and potentially lowering raw material use.

Lower Pellet Formation Rate: Fewer pellets form successfully, increasing the amount of recycled material and hurting production efficiency.

3.Best Moisture Control Range

The ideal moisture content varies for different materials, but typically falls between 8% to 15%. Specific adjustments depend on material properties (like water absorption and binding ability) and process requirements.

4.Moisture Management Measures

Pre-Mixing Stage: Pre-mix the material before it enters the drum to ensure even moisture distribution.

Adjust Binders: If the material itself has poor binding properties, consider adding binders (like bentonite or starch) to improve pellet formation.

In short, precisely controlling moisture content significantly boosts pellet formation rates in rotary drum granulators, cuts energy consumption, and extends equipment life.