Rotary Dryer

The Robust and Reliable Workhorse for High-Capacity Drying of Granular Fertilizers

The Rotary Dryer is the cornerstone of industrial-scale drying for granular and particulate materials. This robust, horizontally rotating drum facilitates efficient heat and mass transfer as material cascades through a stream of hot air. Renowned for its durability, high throughput, and versatility, it is the most widely used solution for removing surface and inherent moisture from fertilizer granules, ensuring product stability and quality.

Key Features

  • Rotating Drum Design

    A large, slightly inclined cylinder that gently tumbles material, ensuring uniform exposure to the drying medium.

  • Direct or Indirect Heating

    Can be configured for direct contact with hot air/gases or indirect heating via steam coils or a hot shell for sensitive materials.

  • Customized Internals

    Features strategically placed lifting flights (louvers) along the inner drum wall to optimize material lifting, cascading, and drying efficiency.

  • Flexible Fuel Options

    Compatible with various heat sources, including natural gas, diesel, coal, or steam, to suit local availability and cost.

  • Adaptable Airflow Configuration

    Can be designed for co-current (parallel) or counter-current flow of material and air, balancing thermal efficiency and product temperature requirements.

Advantages

  • Proven Reliability & Low Maintenance

    Simple, robust mechanical design ensures continuous 24/7 operation with minimal downtime.

  • Exceptionally High Capacity

    Capable of processing from a few tons to over 100 tons per hour, making it ideal for large-scale fertilizer plants.

  • Wide Material Compatibility

    Effectively dries a vast range of granule sizes, densities, and initial moisture contents.

  • Excellent Drying Uniformity

    The tumbling action prevents clumping and ensures each granule is evenly dried.

  • Long Equipment Life

    Constructed from high-grade, wear-resistant steels to withstand abrasive materials and high-temperature environments.

Applicable Raw Materials

  • Compound Fertilizer Granules (NPK)

    The primary application for drying after granulation in a rotary drum or disc granulator.

  • Single Nutrient Fertilizers

    Such as urea, ammonium nitrate, DAP/MAP, and potassium chloride granules.

  • Organic & Bio-organic Fertilizer Pellets

    For reducing moisture after granulation or composting.

  • Minerals & Soil Amendments

    Including limestone pellets, gypsum, and other mineral powders or aggregates.

  • Various Industrial Granules

    Such as ores, salts, and synthetic particles.

Basic Structure & Components

Rotary Dryer
Rotating Drum

The core cylinder, typically fabricated from rolled steel plate, with an internal lining of lifting flights.

Riding Rings & Support Rollers

Heavy-duty rings attached to the drum that rotate on matched support rollers, bearing the drum’s weight.

Drive Unit

Consisting of a motor, gear reducer, and pinion gear to provide controlled rotation.

Thrust Rollers

Prevent axial movement of the drum during operation.

Heat Source (Furnace/Burner)

Generates the hot air or gases for the drying process.

Feed Hopper & Chute

Introduces wet material into the drum’s inlet end.

Discharge Hood & Chute

Collects dried product at the outlet.

Dust Collection System (Cyclone/Bag Filter)

Captures fine particles entrained in the exhaust gas.

Exhaust Fan

Induces air flow through the entire system.

Shell & Insulation

Casing that retains heat and ensures operator safety.

Technical Data

Specification

Shell

Production Capacity

Flow Direction

Reducer

Motor

Size (LxWxH)

Weight

I.D. mm

L mm

Slope (°)

Rev r/min

Model

Ratio

Model

Power

φ1.2×10

1200 

10000 

2.5 

6.1 

1-1.5

Downstream

JZQ500

31.50 

Y160M-6

7.5 

10000×2280×2245

13.0 

φ1.5×14

1500 

14000 

2.5 

4.28 

3-4

ZQ650

31.50 

Y200L-6

18.5 

15750×3085×3180

21.0 

φ1.6×16

1600 

16000 

2.5 

5 

4-5

ZQ650

23.34 

Y200L1-6

18.5 

17500x3232x3500

26.0 

φ1.8×18

1800 

18000 

2.5 

5 

5-7

ZQ650

23.34 

Y200L1-6

18.5 

19614×3438×3673

30.0 

φ2.0×20

2000 

20000 

2.5 

6 

7-10

ZL65

22.50 

Y225M-6

30 

22091x3232x4445

43.0 

φ2.2×22

2200 

22000 

2.5 

3.29 

8-14

ZL65

40.00 

Y250M-6

37 

23400×4593×3810

50.0 

φ2.4×24

2400 

24000 

2.5 

2.82 

12-16

ZL75

45.00 

Y280S-6

45 

25630x4097x5932

70.0 

φ2.6×26

2600 

26000 

2.5 

3.8 

20-25

ZL100

35.50 

Y280M-6

55 

27750×3100×5810

84.0 

φ2.8×28

2800 

28000 

2.5 

2.66 

18-20

ZL115

45.00 

Y280S-6

75 

29630x4220x5110

100.0 

φ2.8×34

2800 

34000 

2.5 

2.65 

18-20

ZL115

45.00 

Y315M-6

110 

37500x4050x5350

111.0 

φ3.0×28

3000 

28000 

2.5 

3.96 

20-22

ZSY450

45.00 

Y315M1-4

132 

30615x5960x6450

130.0 

φ3.2×25

3200 

25000 

2.5 

4.0 

20-30

ZSY450

45.00 

Y315M-4

185 

29500x6500x6300

138.0 

φ3.4×34

3400 

34000 

1.8 

2.56 

20-30

ZL130

45.00 

Y2-355M2-6

200 

34600x6678x6540

175.0 

φ3.6×34

3600 

34000 

1.8 

2.51 

30-40

ZL130

40.00 

YKK3554-4

250 

34600x6890x6540

209.0 

φ4.0×34

4000 

34000 

1.8 

2.09 

40-45

ZSY630

90.00 

YKK4003-4

315 

36466x7800x6800

232.0 

φ4.2×34

4200 

34000 

2.5 

2.15 

42 

ZSY630

80.00 

YKK4005-4

400 

37466x8000x6800

250.0 

φ4.5×34

4500 

34000 

1.8 

1.85 

160 

ZSY630

80.00 

YKK4502-4

500 

38000x8300x7200

290.0 

Key Differentiators vs. Other Dryers

Designed for granules and solids, not liquids. A granular drying solution post-agglomeration, whereas a spray dryer is a slurry-to-powder conversion unit used earlier in the process chain.

A standard, versatile workhorse for general-purpose drying. While both are rotary drums, the Counter-flow Dryer is a specialized subset optimized for maximum thermal efficiency and gentle drying of sensitive materials (like PAN) through its specific airflow pattern, often at a higher initial cost.

Offers higher volumetric capacity and mechanical simplicity for granular fertilizers. It is generally more rugged for heavy-duty, abrasive service compared to the more complex airflow systems of fluidized beds or the larger footprint of belt dryers.

It is the default, high-capacity, and most cost-effective choice for drying standard fertilizer granules where extreme sensitivity or ultra-low final moisture is not the primary constraint.