I. Key Differences Summary

II. Pan Granulation: Preferred for Precision Production

1. Ideal Scenarios
   • Small-scale operations: Low investment cost and compact footprint make it suitable for family farms, township cooperatives, and pilot plants.
   • High-quality particle production: Spherical particles with uniform size are ideal for premium products like flower-specific fertilizers and seedling substrate fertilizers.
   • Moderately sticky materials: Effective for processed livestock manure, sludge, and other materials with moderate viscosity, requiring minimal binders.
2. Limitations
   • Limited capacity: Daily output of tens of tons, unsuitable for mass production.
   • Humidity sensitivity: Requires raw material moisture content of 25%-35%. Excessive moisture causes sticking, while insufficient moisture hinders granulation.
   • Dust control challenges: Difficulty in collecting dust and fumes during operation, necessitating additional environmental measures.

III. Drum Granulation: A Powerhouse for Large-Scale Industrialization

1. Ideal Scenarios
   • Mass production: Daily output exceeding 100 tons, achievable through parallel operation of multiple units for ultra-large-scale needs.
   • Complex formulations and special materials: Handles poorly flowing materials like phosphate rock powder and potassium salts, or formulations with high binder/conditioner content.
   • Cost-effective production: Produces high-strength particles (crushing strength ≥20N) suitable for agricultural field fertilizers and soil conditioners where appearance is less critical.
2. Limitations
   • Large equipment footprint: Requires 5-10m length and ample installation space.
   • High upfront investment: plus the need for a hot-air drying system (particle moisture must be reduced to <15%).
   • Higher recycle rate: While granulation efficiency reaches 70%, some recycled material requires reprocessing.

IV. Selection Guide: Match Equipment to Your Needs

1. By Production Scale
   • <1.5 tons/hour: Prioritize pan granulation for cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
   • >5 tons/hour: Opt for drum granulation for higher efficiency in continuous mass production.
2. By Raw Material Characteristics
   • High-moisture materials (>30%): Consider paddle granulation (eliminates drying steps), or drum granulation if spherical particles are required.
   • Dry materials (<20%): Extrusion granulation avoids water addition but produces cylindrical particles requiring additional processing.
   • Moderately sticky materials: Pan granulation achieves high granulation rates; drum granulation may require binders.