NPK compound fertilizer is a core fertilizer in agricultural production, and its granule quality directly affects fertilization effectiveness and market competitiveness.  The granulator, as a key piece of production equipment, requires careful selection to determine production efficiency, product quality, and overall cost. Faced with various models such as rotary drum, roller press, and disc granulators, it is necessary to consider multiple factors scientifically based on your production needs to select the most suitable equipment.

The primary consideration for selection is matching the characteristics of the raw materials and the nutrient ratio requirements. NPK fertilizer raw materials are diverse, including urea, ammonium phosphate, potassium sulfate, and other chemical raw materials, and some also require the addition of trace elements or organic components. Different raw materials have significant differences in solubility and viscosity. Rotary drum granulators have the widest adaptability, compatible with high and low solubility raw materials and organic-inorganic mixed formulations.  Through parameter adjustment, they can achieve arbitrary nutrient ratios from 20% to 48%, suitable for multi-formula production. Roller press granulators use dry granulation, requiring no additional water, and are suitable for low-moisture, medium-to-low viscosity raw materials, ideal for high-concentration compound fertilizer production with fixed ratios, and have lower energy consumption. Disc granulators are more suitable for small-scale production, with lower equipment investment and smooth granulation, but their capacity is limited and difficult to adapt to large-scale, multi-formula production needs.
Production capacity and efficiency are core considerations for selection. It is necessary to consider your annual production capacity plan to avoid insufficient equipment load or overcapacity. Small enterprises (annual capacity 1-50,000 tons) can choose small rotary drum or disc granulators, which have low investment costs and are easy to operate; medium-sized enterprises (annual capacity 50,000-200,000 tons) should prioritize medium-sized rotary drum granulators, with a production capacity of 8-15 tons per hour, balancing efficiency and flexibility; large enterprises (annual capacity over 200,000 tons) can choose large rotary drum granulators or multiple units in parallel to meet the needs of large-scale continuous production. At the same time, attention should be paid to the production stability of the equipment, prioritizing models with long service life of wear parts and convenient maintenance to reduce downtime losses.
Finished product quality requirements and overall costs must be considered comprehensively. High-quality NPK granules require uniform particle size, moderate strength, and even nutrient distribution. Rotary drum granulators can achieve a granulation rate of over 92%, with a high proportion of particles in the 2-4mm size range, meeting mainstream market demands. Roller granulators produce granules with high strength, but lack flexibility in shape. In terms of cost, a comprehensive assessment of equipment purchase, energy consumption, maintenance, and raw material loss is necessary to avoid blindly pursuing low-priced equipment and neglecting subsequent high energy consumption and losses. Furthermore, the manufacturer's production capabilities and after-sales service should not be overlooked; reputable manufacturers can provide installation, commissioning, and technical guidance, reducing equipment operation and maintenance risks.
In summary, choosing an NPK fertilizer granulator requires considering raw material characteristics, production capacity, finished product requirements, and overall costs, avoiding a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Only by precisely matching the machine type to production needs can product quality be ensured, production efficiency improved, and a solid equipment foundation be established for the NPK fertilizer production line.