Diatomite Granulation Production Line: Equipment & Process Guide

Diatomaceous earth (diatomite) is widely used in absorbent granules, cat litter, soil conditioners, and pesticide carriers due to its porous structure and high absorption capacity. A commercial diatomite granulation production line converts fine diatomite powder into uniform, dust-free granules with high crushing strength and excellent liquid absorption.

Core Machinery & Production Line Workflow

Crushing & Powder Blending: High-speed hammer mills and batch mixers pulverize raw diatomite blocks into fine, consistent mesh powder (100--200 mesh) and mix in required functional additives or binders.

Wet Granulation (Disc Granulator / Pan Pelletizer): Fine diatomite powder is continuously fed into a rotating pan pelletizer. Atomized water or liquid binder spray agglomerates the light powder into spherical granules (2.0--4.0 mm).

Dust Hood & Fines Recovery: Because dry diatomite powder is extremely light, the pan pelletizer is equipped with a simple dust hood cover connected to a compact dust extraction fan to prevent powder fly loss and recover fine particles.

Drying & Screening: A rotary drum dryer removes internal moisture to harden the pellets. A vibrating screen separates off-spec sizes, sending fine powder back to the granulator.

Cooling & Packaging: Finished diatomite granules are cooled down to ambient temperature and packed into 10--25 kg sacks or bulk bags.

Key Machinery Selection & Technical Specifications

Capacity Options: Small to Industrial Scale

Small Line (1 – 2 TPH): Equipped with a 1.5 m--2.0m disc granulator; suitable for specialized absorbent carriers and pilot plants.

Medium Line (3 – 5 TPH): Configured with 2.5m--3.0m disc granulators; ideal for commercial diatomite cat litter and agricultural soil additive production.

Large Industrial Line (8 – 10 TPH): Recommended to use two 3.0m disc granulators operating in parallel (dual-pan system) with individual dust hoods rather than a single oversized pan, ensuring better spherical uniformity, lower container shipping costs, and flexible maintenance.

Why Choose Disc Granulation for Diatomaceous Earth?

High Porosity Retention: Unlike high-pressure roller compaction, wet disc pelletizing uses tumbling agglomeration, which preserves the lightweight, porous micro-structure of diatomite.

Flexible Granule Size Control: Operators can easily control pellet diameter by adjusting the pan tilt angle, rotation speed, and liquid spray volume.

Economical Equipment Setup: Disc granulators offer low initial CAPEX, simple mechanical operation, and minimal wear costs compared to complex extrusion systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is a dust hood recommended on the disc granulator during diatomite processing?

A: Diatomaceous earth powder has an extremely low bulk density and drifts easily. A simple dust hood keeps airborne powder contained inside the pan, improving workshop air quality and preventing material loss.

Q: Can stainless steel disc granulators be used for diatomite processing?

A: Yes. While carbon steel is suitable for dry, non-corrosive diatomite, SUS304 stainless steel is recommended if acidic binders or liquid chemical additives are injected during pelletizing.

Custom Diatomite Granulation Plant Solutions

Gofine supplies complete diatomite granulation production line equipment, from raw powder crushers and custom disc granulators with simple dust hoods to rotary dryers and automated packing units.

Contact our technical engineering team today for plant layouts, air extraction fan specs, and direct factory quotes!