Application Case of Stainless Steel Screw Conveyors in Fertilizer Handling

I. Project Background and Challenges
A fertilizer manufacturer required stable and efficient transportation of granulated finished fertilizer from pre-packaging processes to designated silos during production. The existing conveying equipment suffered from issues such as susceptibility to corrosion, poor sealing leading to dust leakage, and clumping of fertilizer particles causing blockages. These problems adversely affected the production environment and continuous operation efficiency.

II. Equipment Selection and Solution
Considering fertilizer characteristics (corrosive properties, hygroscopicity, and requirement for intact particles), a customized stainless steel screw conveyor was selected as the solution. Key design features included:

Material: The core conveying screw and trough were constructed from 304 stainless steel, offering superior corrosion resistance to withstand chemical components in fertilizers and extend equipment lifespan.

Sealing Design: A combination of end-face seals and cover plate seals significantly reduces dust leakage during conveying, improving the working environment and meeting clean production requirements.

Customized Parameters: The screw diameter, rotational speed, and power were precisely calculated based on conveying volume, distance, and material properties. This ensures smooth and stable conveying, preventing particle breakage or blockages caused by improper speed.

III. Implementation Results
Following commissioning, the equipment demonstrated remarkable performance:

Stable and Reliable Operation: Stainless steel construction effectively resists corrosion, substantially reducing equipment failure rates and ensuring continuous production line operation.

Clean and Efficient Conveying: Superior sealing virtually eliminates dust pollution. The conveying process runs smoothly with no further blockages, achieving approximately 25% higher conveying efficiency.

Reduced Maintenance Costs: The equipment's corrosion resistance and robust construction require only basic daily upkeep, substantially lowering long-term maintenance expenses.

IV. Conclusion
This case demonstrates that selecting stainless steel screw conveyors for fertilizer transportation offers distinct advantages in addressing critical issues like corrosion, sealing, and blockages. It stands as a reliable choice for achieving efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-consumption conveying in the fertilizer industry.