Specialty fertilizers and soil amendments are becoming increasingly integral to meeting crop nutrition needs, improving soil conditions, and protecting the environment, with custom formulations, controlled-release attributes, and optimized application characteristics now considered essential for many products.
With unmatched experience in the fertilizer production industry, FEECO has been on the cusp of these changes, helping producers to develop and produce custom products to meet the industry’s changing demands through:
- Granulation of novel materials and custom formulations (NPKS, Humate, SOP, etc.)
- Granulation of recovered or recycled nutrients (Manure, Biosolids, etc.)
- Granulation of organic materials into premium products (Digested Dairy Manure, Chicken Litter, Compost, etc.)
- Granulation of process and industry by-products (Synthetic/FGD Gypsum, Fly Ash, Paper Sludge, etc.)
- Inclusion of additives or performance enhancers (Micro Nutrients, Organic Binders, Biochar, etc.)
- Improvement of performance, handling, and application characteristics
EQUIPMENT
FEECO provides custom equipment for every step in the fertilizer and soil amendment production process – from a single piece, to a complete granulation line.
MATERIAL PROCESSING
Mixing, Pelletizing & Granulating
FEECO’s highly customizable line of mixing and agglomeration equipment covers a diverse range of production techniques for a truly engineered product. From traditional granulation utilizing a chemical reaction, to pelletizing with a preconditioning step, FEECO equipment is configurable for the most specific production demands. Available mixing and granulation equipment includes:
Drying & Cooling
Drying and cooling are both essential steps in producing custom fertilizer and soil amendment products that stay intact throughout their life cycle and perform as intended. FEECO rotary dryers and coolers are designed to meet precise product needs while offering reliable long-term performance.
Coating
Coating has emerged as a preferred method of producing specialty fertilizers and soil amendments, allowing beneficial additives, micronutrients, and performance-enhancing coatings to be incorporated into traditional products for a value-added product. FEECO coating drums provide superior results over alternative coating methods, producing a highly uniform product.
BULK MATERIAL HANDLING
FEECO also provides a comprehensive line of bulk material handling equipment for all of your fertilizer and soil amendment handling needs. We offer custom bucket elevators, belt conveyors, reversing shuttle conveyors, and steep incline conveyors, along with equipment to increase the flexibility of your handling system, such as belt trippers and plows, and belt feeders.
We can supply a single piece of handling equipment to fit into your existing process, or a complete bulk handling system as part of an overall process solution.
PLANT AND PILOT SCALE PROCESS TESTING AND DESIGN
Thorough testing is the basis of a quality custom fertilizer or soil amendment product. The FEECO Innovation Center utilizes state-of-the-art technology to evaluate the best process configuration to produce the desired product efficiently and reliably. Process engineers in the Innovation Center test product formulations at both batch and pilot scale to work out process variables and gather the data necessary for designing a commercial-scale piece of equipment or production line.
Various types of granulation can be tested, either as a single piece of equipment, or as part of a continuous process loop. Samples can be produced for use in field trials or further testing.
A variety of particle characteristics can be controlled through processing techniques, all of which can be worked out during testing, including:
- Size Guide Number (SGN)
- Uniformity Index (UI)
- Granulometric Spread Index (GSI)
- Surface Area to Volume (SA:V)
- Crush Strength
- Loose Bulk Density
- Packed Bulk Density
- Moisture Content
- Particle Shape
- Attrition
- Hygroscopicity
- Solubility
- And more…
We offer comprehensive testing services in four categories:
Feasibility/Proof of Concept: An initial, non-witnessed batch testing phase in which the possibility of creating a product is explored.
Proof of Product: A more in-depth batch testing phase in which more time is spent determining whether a product can be made to desired specifications.
Proof of Process: A continuous testing phase that aims to establish the equipment setup and parameters required for continuous production of your specific material.
Process/Product Optimization: An in-depth study to optimize your specific material’s characteristics and/or production parameters in an industrial setting.
Learn more about the Innovation Center >>
PARTS & SERVICE
FEECO provides a comprehensive offering of parts and service to keep your equipment running its best for years to come. This includes a variety of field services, process and equipment audits, spare parts, and more.
RESOURCES
PROJECT PROFILES
FERTILIZER GRANULATION ARTICLES
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