Hot and humid climates in many Asian countries can pose challenges for the storage of chemical fertilizers. Agglomeration/clumping in fertilizers is a common phenomenon for most fertilizer manufacturers, especially in technologies involving steam granulation. There are various reasons for agglomeration, a result of the production of fertilizers. The main factor is the high moisture absorption and free water (humidity) in the product.

Therefore, solutions are needed for this issue, such as coating fertilizers with suitable coating materials. In this article, Hawaii Oil will share more information about coating materials for fertilizer granulation to prevent clumping and agglomeration in chemical fertilizers, so stay tuned!

One of the biggest challenges for chemical fertilizer manufacturers is to maintain quality, ensuring that fertilizers do not deteriorate during transportation, handling, storage, and usage. Most fertilizers tend to absorb moisture because their components are more or less soluble in water; the effectiveness of many fertilizers depends on this solubility. For example, the water solubility of DAP and MAP is around 60-80% P2O5. The more moisture a fertilizer absorbs, the higher the risk of deterioration and reduced quality during storage and transportation.

The causes of agglomeration in chemical fertilizers

Factors affecting the moisture absorption of chemical fertilizers include: the chemical composition of the fertilizer, moisture content, ambient temperature, relative humidity, particle structure, and the porosity of the fertilizer. The main consequence of moisture absorption is agglomeration, where fertilizer particles stick together to form hard clumps. The most important factors causing agglomeration are the development of small crystals, elastic deformation, a reduction in the total surface area, and the formation of double salts within and between individual particles.

The exchange of moisture with the surrounding environment can cause fertilizers to clump or generate dust. Storage temperature is also a crucial factor. Cycling temperature changes can increase the tendency to agglomerate, especially for moisture-absorbing fertilizers like ammonium nitrate. High pressure also makes fertilizers more prone to clumping; the lower layer of a fertilizer pile is particularly susceptible to clumping due to deformed particles and increased contact area.

Some considerations when using oil to prevent agglomeration most effectively

To maximize the effectiveness of anti-agglomeration agents for fertilizer products, Hawaii Oil provides some recommended process guidelines for use in production on the production line:

Optimal conditions for using anti-agglomeration oil

The moisture content of the fertilizer product plays a crucial role. For products with high nitrogen content or high N content, control moisture below 1.5%, for a total content of about 30-40%, keep moisture below 2%. For low-grade products, keep moisture below 4%. Higher moisture reduces the effectiveness of anti-agglomeration agents.

The packaging process should remove all air from the bag, tightly tied with drawstrings. Avoid using thin or punctured lining bags.

Stored products should be stored in a cool and dry warehouse, and the bag sealing temperature should not differ from the ambient temperature by 50°C. Stored products should avoid direct contact with environmental conditions.

After packaging, finished products should not be stacked too high. Stacking too high can significantly reduce the physical properties of the particles or cause particle breakage at the bottom. Normally, not more than 4m.

Fertilizer particles should be uniform in size, ranging from 2 to 4.5mm. The smoother the surface of the fertilizer, the better. Additionally, sieve carefully to avoid fine powder from the raw material sticking to the finished product particles, as it will increase the contact points between fertilizers, reduce the effectiveness of anti-agglomeration oil, and increase the tendency to clump.

The fertilizer anti-agglomeration oil spraying machine should be well shielded to reduce dust, whether from the production process or the spraying equipment causing blockages and equipment damage.

Pay attention to the arrangement of machinery for application and adjust the dosage appropriately

To ensure the effectiveness of the product after using anti-agglomeration agents, in addition to choosing a good anti-agglomeration agent, the equipment installation and use of anti-agglomeration agents must meet the following requirements:

• Apply the prescribed dosage correctly.
• Spray evenly, ensuring maximum coverage of anti-agglomeration agents on the fertilizer particle surface.
• Spraying equipment must be continuously checked to ensure smooth operation of the spraying device throughout the operation of the equipment, grease spraying equipment, and powder operation.
• Oil and powder spraying equipment should be kept at a distance (usually 1.25 – 2 m) to ensure that the oil is evenly coated on the fertilizer particles, but not too long to allow the oil film to dry and stiffen, reducing the ability to stick to the powder and maintain the powder of the oil film. Therefore, depending on the polishing equipment of each production line, adjust the rotation speed, rotation angle, and add flip bars to ensure the above principles.

Choosing the right coating material depends on various factors such as the impact of the coating on agglomeration, dust, and moisture absorption; the method and equipment used; environmental, health, and safety factors; economic efficiency; the availability of coating materials; and also depends on the type of fertilizer used. Therefore, when producing, enterprises need to choose the appropriate fertilizer oil for their business to address the issue of agglomeration to limit risks, increase productivity, and profit.

Through this information, we hope that Hawaii Oil’s sharing can help you understand more about fertilizer oil and some usage considerations to increase productivity. To learn more about industrial oil for the fertilizer granulation process, please contact the hotline below for advice and support.

KHANG AN CHEMICALS JOINT STOCK COMPANY
111 North Bridge Road, #05-14 Peninsula Plaza Singapore 179098
info@hawaii-oil.com info@hawaii-lubricant.com
Hotline: 0903336870
Website: www.hawaii-oil.com
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