Processing equipment and processing technology of fertilizer

Abstract

This application relates to the field of fertilizer processing technology and discloses a fertilizer processing equipment, including a co-extrusion unit with a three-channel concentric structure at its output end for simultaneously outputting microbial core material, matrix, and sacrificial water-based gel, which converge at the end of the output to form a three-layer composite material flow. The innermost layer is the microbial core material layer, the outermost layer is the matrix layer, and the middle layer is the sacrificial water-based gel layer. A vacuum granulation chamber is also included, with an inlet and an exhaust port at its top. The inlet is connected to the output end of the co-extrusion unit, and the exhaust port is connected to a vacuum pump via an exhaust pipe. By directly connecting the outlet of the co-extrusion unit to the vacuum granulation chamber, a negative pressure environment is created. When the sacrificial water-based gel layer between the high-temperature matrix and the low-temperature microbial core material enters this environment, its boiling point drops sharply, and the waste heat of the high-temperature matrix is ​​instantly converted into energy to drive its flash evaporation phase change. The latent heat of vaporization is utilized to actively remove the potentially harmful heat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fertilizer processing technology, specifically to fertilizer processing equipment and processing technology. Background Technology

[0002] With the pursuit of sustainable development in modern agriculture, bio-fertilizers or microbial agents containing specific functional microorganisms (such as growth-promoting bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and potassium-solubilizing bacteria) have shown great value in improving soil and increasing crop yield and quality. In the production of these fertilizers, fermented livestock manure, straw, and other organic waste are often used as the base carrier or substrate. However, to meet hygiene and environmental standards, these organic substrates must undergo strict high-temperature sterilization or harmless treatment (such as high-temperature composting or pasteurization) before being put on the market as products to completely kill pathogens, insect eggs, and weed seeds.

[0003] This leads to a fundamental contradiction that is difficult to reconcile in terms of process: high-temperature treatment is a necessary means to ensure the safety of the substrate, but such high temperatures are fatal to the vast majority of biologically active microbial species.

[0004] Currently, conventional processes, in order to address this issue, must add a lengthy and space-consuming physical cooling stage after the high-temperature sterilization process. The substrate must be spread out and allowed to cool naturally to room temperature or a biosafe temperature before it can be mixed with heat-sensitive microbial strains. This process not only significantly extends the production cycle and reduces equipment operating efficiency, but the large cooling area also increases infrastructure costs.

[0005] Another approach to shorten the cycle is to mix the substrate before it has completely cooled, but this leads to uncontrollable product quality. High substrate temperatures cause significant microbial inactivation, resulting in a final product with a significantly lower effective viable count than designed, thus losing its intended biological efficacy.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an innovative process and its supporting equipment that can break through the above-mentioned technical bottlenecks and achieve instantaneous and efficient compounding of heat-sensitive bioactive components under the premise of using high-temperature sterilization matrix, and actively block heat transfer during the compounding process to ensure that the active components are not damaged by heat, thereby truly achieving compatibility between "high-temperature harmlessness" and "high bioactivity" in the same continuous production process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a fertilizer processing equipment and process, which resolves the fundamental conflict between high-temperature sterilization of organic fertilizers and the addition of low-temperature live microorganisms in the process, and in particular, solves the problem of instantaneous heat conduction damage to low-temperature active microorganisms caused by high-temperature matrix during composite granulation.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] The first aspect of this invention provides a fertilizer processing apparatus, comprising:

[0010] The co-extrusion unit has a three-channel concentric structure at its output end, which is used to simultaneously output microbial core material, matrix and sacrificial water-based gel, and they converge at the end of the output end to form a three-layer composite material flow, wherein the innermost layer is the microbial core material layer, the outermost layer is the matrix layer, and the middle layer is the sacrificial water-based gel layer.

[0011] The vacuum granulation chamber has a feed inlet and an exhaust outlet on its top. The feed inlet is connected to the output end of the co-extrusion unit, and the exhaust outlet is connected to a vacuum pump through an exhaust pipe. The vacuum pump maintains a negative pressure environment inside the vacuum granulation chamber. The vacuum granulation chamber is equipped with a pelletizing device located below the output end of the co-extrusion unit, with its cutting end adjacent to the outlet end face of the co-extrusion unit. The bottom of the vacuum granulation chamber is a conical collecting hopper with an exhaust outlet at the bottom end. An airlock discharge valve is installed at the exhaust outlet.

[0012] The above technical solution constructs a specific process environment by connecting a vacuum granulation chamber maintained under negative pressure to the output end of the co-extrusion unit. When the high-temperature matrix, the sacrificial water-based gel layer, and the microbial inoculum are simultaneously extruded and enter the vacuum granulation chamber, the boiling point of the sacrificial water-based gel layer drops significantly due to the sudden drop in environmental pressure. At this moment, the heat from the high-temperature matrix becomes the energy source driving the phase change of the sacrificial water-based gel layer, causing it to undergo a violent flash phase change. This phase change process utilizes the latent heat of vaporization of water, actively and massively absorbing the heat energy from the high-temperature matrix in a very short time, resulting in a sudden drop in the temperature of the high-temperature matrix and forming an effective thermal barrier between it and the microbial inoculum. Simultaneously, the pelletizing device is located inside the vacuum granulation chamber, ensuring that the cutting and shaping process is completed within the synchronous window when the thermal barrier mechanism is activated.

[0013] Preferably, the co-extrusion unit includes a microbial core material component, a sacrificial water-based gel component, and a matrix component arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The connection between the three components adopts a sealed and fixed structure and is kept in a vertical state.

[0014] Preferably, the inoculum core component includes an inoculum core bin, the top of which is connected to the output end of an inoculum core conveying device, and the bottom is provided with multiple evenly distributed conveying pipes. The inoculum core is conveyed into the inoculum core bin by the inoculum core conveying device and then output synchronously by the multiple conveying pipes.

[0015] Preferably, the sacrificial water-based gel assembly includes a gel chamber with an open top. The opening is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the inoculum core chamber, and the two are sealed to each other. The bottom of the gel chamber is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed delivery pipes II, which correspond one-to-one with delivery pipe I. Delivery pipe I passes through delivery pipe II, and the inner diameter of delivery pipe II is larger than the outer diameter of delivery pipe I. The outer wall of delivery pipe II is also attached to and fixedly connected with a heat insulation layer. The top of the gel chamber is connected to the output end of the gel delivery device, and the input end of the gel delivery device is connected to the output end of the gel stirring device. The sacrificial water-based gel is extracted from the gel stirring device by the gel delivery device and delivered to the gel chamber, and then output synchronously by the plurality of delivery pipes II.

[0016] Preferably, the gel stirring device includes a stirring vessel for dispersing a quantitative amount of gelling agent in a quantitative amount of water under shear stirring at a preset temperature until the gelling agent powder is completely hydrated and dissolved to form a uniform and transparent gel solution. The stirring vessel has an exhaust port at the top, which is connected to a vacuum pump through a pipe. The discharge end of the stirring vessel is connected to a cooling tank, and an electrically controlled valve is installed on the pipeline connecting the two. The cooling tank is used to cool the sacrificial water-based gel inside it, and the output end of the cooling tank is connected to the extraction end of the gel conveying equipment.

[0017] Preferably, the matrix assembly includes a matrix chamber with an open top. The open top is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the gel chamber, and the two are sealed to each other. The bottom of the matrix chamber is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed delivery pipes three, each of which corresponds to a delivery pipe two. The delivery pipe two passes through the delivery pipe three, and the inner diameter of the delivery pipe three is larger than the outer diameter of the heat insulation layer on the outside of the delivery pipe two. The top of the matrix chamber is connected to the output end of the matrix delivery device. The extraction end of the matrix delivery device is connected to the heat insulation chamber. The heat insulation chamber is used to store the matrix and maintain the matrix temperature within a preset temperature range. The delivery pipe between the matrix chamber and the matrix delivery device is also covered with a heat insulation layer.

[0018] Preferably, the bottom openings of the first, second and third conveying pipes are flush, and chamfers are provided on the inner and outer walls of the bottom of the first conveying pipe, the inner wall of the bottom of the second conveying pipe, and the outer wall of the bottom of the insulation layer.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention provides a fertilizer processing technology, the processing technology being based on the aforementioned fertilizer processing equipment, the processing technology comprising the following steps:

[0020] Step 1: Provide the microbial inoculum, substrate, and sacrificial water-based gel;

[0021] Step 2: The microbial core material, matrix, and sacrificial water-based gel are output through the co-extrusion unit into a vacuum granulation chamber under negative pressure, with the matrix as the outermost layer, the microbial core material as the innermost layer, and the sacrificial water-based gel as the middle layer being output concentrically.

[0022] Step 3: In the vacuum granulation chamber, the heat of the matrix and the negative pressure environment are used to cause the sacrificial water-based gel to undergo a flash phase change in order to absorb the heat of the matrix and protect the inoculum.

[0023] Step 4: Inside the vacuum pelletizing chamber, the composite material stream output from the co-extrusion unit is cut into pellets using a pelletizing device.

[0024] Preferably, step one includes maintaining the matrix temperature within a preset temperature range and cooling the sacrificial water-based gel.

[0025] This invention provides a fertilizer processing equipment and processing technology. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. This invention creates a negative pressure environment by directly connecting the outlet of the co-extrusion unit to the vacuum granulation chamber. When the sacrificial water-based gel layer between the high-temperature matrix and the low-temperature microbial inoculum enters this environment, its boiling point drops sharply, and the waste heat of the high-temperature matrix is ​​instantly converted into energy to drive its flash phase change. This process utilizes the latent heat of vaporization to actively remove the fatal heat, constructing an active thermodynamic barrier. Compared to the vulnerability of microorganisms exposed on the surface in traditional spraying processes, this invention embeds the microbial inoculum deep within the layer, providing both physical and thermodynamic protection at the most critical molding moment. Simultaneously, because the sacrificial water-based gel layer undergoes intense flash evaporation during particle molding, the rapid vaporization and escape of water molecules naturally form a porous structure within the sacrificial water-based gel layer and the matrix layer. This structure not only reduces the overall density of the particles, but more importantly, when the particles are applied to the soil, they can absorb water more quickly like a sponge, providing the necessary oxygen channels and migration paths for the revival and outward reproduction of the innermost microorganisms, thereby improving the product's field performance.

[0027] 2. This invention, through the synergistic effect of the co-extrusion unit and the vacuum granulation chamber, simultaneously completes the transportation of high-temperature matrix, the inoculum material of low-temperature sclerotia, the instantaneous cooling using flash evaporation, and the cutting and granulation. This completely eliminates the necessary, space-consuming, and energy-intensive intermediate cooling process in traditional processes, transforming a multi-step, long-cycle production process into a compact, continuous, single-step integrated process. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a frontal perspective view of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a rear perspective view of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the vacuum granulation chamber in this invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the co-extrusion unit of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0034] The components include: 1. Vacuum granulation chamber; 101. Feed inlet; 102. Air extraction port; 103. Discharge port; 2. Air extraction pipe; 3. Vacuum pump; 4. Airlock discharge valve; 5. Microbial inoculum and core material assembly; 501. Microbial inoculum and core material chamber; 502. Conveying pipe one; 6. Sacrificial water-based gel assembly; 601. Gel chamber; 602. Conveying pipe two; 603. Insulation layer; 7. Matrix assembly; 701. Matrix chamber; 702. Conveying pipe three; 8. Mixing vessel; 9. Cooling tank; 10. Insulation chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 6 This invention provides a fertilizer processing device, structurally designed to achieve instantaneous compounding and thermodynamic protection of high-temperature materials and low-temperature heat-sensitive materials. Specifically, it includes:

[0037] The co-extrusion unit has a three-channel concentric structure at its output end, which is used to simultaneously output microbial core material, matrix and sacrificial water-based gel, and they converge at the end of the output end to form a three-layer composite material flow, wherein the innermost layer is the microbial core material layer, the outermost layer is the matrix layer, and the middle layer is the sacrificial water-based gel layer.

[0038] The co-extrusion unit includes a microbial core material component 5, a sacrificial water-based gel component 6, and a matrix component 7 arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The connection between the three components adopts a sealed and fixed structure and is kept vertical.

[0039] The inoculum core component 5 includes an inoculum core bin 501. The top of the inoculum core bin 501 is connected to the output end of the inoculum core conveying equipment, and multiple evenly distributed conveying pipes 502 are provided at the bottom. The inoculum core is conveyed into the inoculum core bin 501 by the inoculum core conveying equipment and then output synchronously by the multiple conveying pipes 502.

[0040] The sacrificial water-based gel assembly 6 includes a gel chamber 601 with an opening at the top. The opening is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the inoculum core chamber 501, and the two are sealed to each other. Multiple evenly distributed conveying pipes 602 are provided at the bottom of the gel chamber 601. Each conveying pipe 602 corresponds to a conveying pipe 502, and the first conveying pipe 502 passes through the second conveying pipe 602. The inner diameter of the second conveying pipe 602 is larger than the outer diameter of the first conveying pipe 502. A heat insulation layer 603 is attached to and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the second conveying pipe 602. The top of the gel chamber 601 is connected to the output end of the gel conveying device, and the input end of the gel conveying device is connected to the output end of the gel stirring device. The sacrificial water-based gel is extracted from the gel stirring device by the gel conveying device and conveyed into the gel chamber 601, and then output synchronously by the multiple conveying pipes 602.

[0041] The matrix assembly 7 includes a matrix chamber 701 with an opening at the top. The opening is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the gel chamber 601, and the two are sealed to each other. The bottom of the matrix chamber 701 is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed delivery pipes 702. Each delivery pipe 702 corresponds to a delivery pipe 602, and the delivery pipe 602 passes through the delivery pipe 702. The inner diameter of the delivery pipe 702 is larger than the outer diameter of the heat insulation layer 603 on the outside of the delivery pipe 602. The top of the matrix chamber 701 is connected to the output end of the matrix delivery device. The extraction end of the matrix delivery device is connected to the heat preservation chamber 10 for storing the matrix and maintaining the matrix temperature within a preset temperature range. The delivery pipe between the matrix chamber 701 and the matrix delivery device is also covered with a heat preservation layer.

[0042] The bottom openings of conveying pipe 1 502, conveying pipe 2 602 and conveying pipe 3 702 are flush, and chamfers are provided on the inner and outer walls of the bottom of conveying pipe 1 502, the inner wall of the bottom of conveying pipe 2 602 and the outer wall of the bottom of the insulation layer 603.

[0043] The chamfering design allows the microbial core material, matrix, and sacrificial water-based gel to come closer together during extrusion, thereby increasing the adhesion between the layers.

[0044] The vacuum granulation chamber 1 has a feed inlet 101 and an exhaust port 102 on its top. The feed inlet 101 is connected to the output end of the co-extrusion unit, and the exhaust port 102 is connected to the vacuum pump 3 through the exhaust pipe 2. The vacuum pump 3 maintains a negative pressure environment inside the vacuum granulation chamber 1. The vacuum granulation chamber 1 is equipped with a pelletizing device located below the output end of the co-extrusion unit. Its cutting end is close to the outlet end face of the output end of the co-extrusion unit. The bottom of the vacuum granulation chamber 1 is a conical collecting hopper, and an exhaust port 103 is opened at the bottom end. An airlock discharge valve 4 is installed at the exhaust port 103.

[0045] The pelletizing device can be configured as a high-speed rotating cutter driven by a servo motor, with its blade positioned close to the outlet end face of the co-extrusion unit.

[0046] Vacuum pump 3 is used to continuously evacuate the internal space of vacuum granulation chamber 1, and precisely establish and maintain its internal pressure at a constant negative pressure state during process operation. It should be noted that vacuum pump 3 is essentially a vacuum system, which also includes a buffer tank and pressure sensor used in conjunction with vacuum pump 3 to achieve stable maintenance of the negative pressure state.

[0047] Sacrificial water-based gels, such as sodium alginate aqueous solutions and starch solutions, are essentially composed of:

[0048] The vast majority of the substance is water (the solvent), which is the main component that undergoes the "flash phase change" to absorb heat.

[0049] It contains a small amount of solid matrix (solute / gelling agent), such as carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, sodium alginate, etc. These substances are non-volatile and do not evaporate under vacuum and high temperature.

[0050] When the composite material flows into vacuum granulation chamber 1:

[0051] Due to the sudden drop in environmental pressure, the boiling point of the sacrificial water-based gel also drops sharply (for example, according to the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, the boiling point can drop to 60°C or lower when the pressure is low enough). The "water" in the sacrificial layer vaporizes instantly, generating a large amount of steam and absorbing heat intensely, thus achieving thermal protection for the core.

[0052] Those non-volatile "solid matrices" (such as CMC and starch) are left behind.

[0053] The key point is that the moisture doesn't leave peacefully. This violent, explosive flash evaporation is equivalent to a "physical foaming" process. The high-speed escape of steam forcibly inflates the remaining solid matrix that is still in a gel state.

[0054] Therefore, when the flash evaporation process is complete, the original dense, sacrificial water-based gel layer does not disappear. Instead, it transforms into a solid, porous, sponge-like or foam-like structure.

[0055] The original matrix layer-sacrificial water-based gel layer-inoculum nucleus layer structure was transformed into a composite structure of porous matrix layer-porous foam layer-inoculum nucleus layer after flash evaporation.

[0056] This newly formed porous foam interlayer, though lightweight, remains a solid entity. Like a shock absorber, it physically connects and supports the outer shell and inner core. It prevents the core from loosening within the shell or breaking due to impact during transport and application. Porous foam structures are among the best insulation materials found in nature (e.g., foam plastics, down). After flash evaporation, this newly formed solid foam layer acts as "secondary insulation," continuously protecting the internal microorganisms from drastic fluctuations in external temperature during particle cooling, storage, and transportation. Simultaneously, when the particles are applied to the soil, moisture can quickly penetrate through this sponge-like porous channel (capillary action) to reach the innermost core, rapidly activating dormant microorganisms and enabling them to function.

[0057] Specifically, the sacrificial water-based gel layer is mainly composed of two types of substances: a solvent, which serves as the main component of the flash phase change, and a gelling agent, which serves as the porous framework matrix. The solvent is preferably purified or deionized water, which accounts for the majority of the gel's mass and is the working fluid for subsequent flash phase change and absorption of latent heat of vaporization under vacuum pressure. The gelling agent is a non-volatile solid matrix, designed to impart specific rheological properties (viscosity) to the sacrificial layer, ensuring a stable and well-defined laminar interface with the high-temperature matrix and the low-temperature microbial core. Simultaneously, this solid matrix is ​​retained after water flash evaporation, forming a porous solid foam interlayer connecting the outer shell and the inner core. The gelling agent is preferably a biodegradable, high-water-holding food-grade or industrial-grade polymer. The gelling agent can be selected from one or more of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, modified starch (such as pregelatinized starch), guar gum, xanthan gum, or pectin, or a combination thereof. These gelling agents can form a gel network with a certain viscosity and yield strength in aqueous solution. Its addition concentration in the gel ranges from 0.5% to 5% (by weight), depending on the type of gelling agent selected and the desired final viscosity, so that its viscosity matches the apparent viscosity of the high-temperature matrix and the low-temperature microbial nucleus at their respective process temperatures.

[0058] The gel mixing device includes a mixing vessel 8, which is used to disperse a certain amount of gelling agent in a certain amount of water under shear stirring at a preset temperature until the gelling agent powder is completely hydrated and dissolved to form a uniform and transparent gel solution. The top of the mixing vessel 8 is provided with an exhaust port, which is connected to a vacuum pump 3 through a pipe. The discharge end of the mixing vessel 8 is connected to a cooling tank 9, and an electrically controlled valve is provided on the pipeline connecting the two. The cooling tank 9 is used to cool the sacrificial water-based gel inside it. The output end of the cooling tank 9 is connected to the extraction end of the gel conveying equipment.

[0059] The manufacturing process for sacrificial water-based gel layers aims to produce a homogeneous, bubble-free fluid at a specific low temperature. This process typically includes the following steps: First, a measured amount of the gelling agent (usually in powder form) is dispersed in a measured amount of water in a stirred tank under high-speed shear stirring to prevent agglomeration.

[0060] Secondly, depending on the characteristics of the selected gelling agent, the mixture is continuously stirred for a certain period of time at a specific temperature (for example, some starches require heating to gelatinize, while sodium alginate can be dissolved in cold water) until the gelling agent powder is completely hydrated and dissolved to form a uniform and transparent gel solution.

[0061] Next, a crucial step is to degas the prepared gel. This removes air trapped during the mixing process and air dissolved in the water. This step is essential for the subsequent co-extrusion process because air bubbles in the gel can cause flow pulsation and interfacial rupture during extrusion, severely compromising the continuity and stability of the encapsulation.

[0062] The gel solution is continuously stirred by the stirred tank 8, and with the help of the vacuum pump 3, a negative pressure environment is continuously formed inside the stirred tank 8, so that air in the gel solution is continuously released during the stirring process.

[0063] In addition, based on the above-mentioned fertilizer processing equipment, this embodiment also provides a fertilizer processing technology, which includes the following steps:

[0064] Step 1: Provide microbial inoculum, substrate, and sacrificial water-based gel. The substrate is preferably an organic fertilizer substrate treated with high-temperature aerobic fermentation or pasteurization, ensuring the material's harmlessness. Before entering the equipment, the substrate is heated and kept at a suitable fluid state of 70-85°C for extrusion. The microbial inoculum contains a high concentration of active microbial inoculum and corresponding protective agents, such as sodium alginate or soluble humic acid, to form a gel with a certain viscosity. The sacrificial water-based gel can be a high-water-content, biodegradable fluid medium, such as starch slurry or carboxymethyl cellulose solution. Both the microbial inoculum and the sacrificial water-based gel are cooled before entering the equipment to maintain their temperature within the safe range of 15-25°C for biological activity.

[0065] Step 2: The microbial core material, matrix, and sacrificial water-based gel are output through the co-extrusion unit into the vacuum granulation chamber 1, which is under negative pressure. The matrix is ​​output concentrically as the outermost layer, the microbial core material as the innermost layer, and the sacrificial water-based gel as the middle layer.

[0066] Step 3: In the vacuum granulation chamber 1, the heat of the matrix and the negative pressure environment are used to cause the sacrificial water-based gel to undergo a flash phase change in order to absorb the heat of the matrix and protect the inoculum.

[0067] Specifically, the ambient pressure drops sharply the instant the composite material enters the vacuum granulation chamber 1. According to thermodynamic principles (such as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation), the boiling point of a liquid is positively correlated with its ambient pressure. Therefore, the boiling point of the sacrificial water-based gel layer will instantly drop to a value far below its atmospheric pressure boiling point, for example, to 60°C or lower. This boiling point value depends on the sub-atmospheric pressure set in the vacuum granulation chamber 1.

[0068] At the same time, the temperature of the outermost high-temperature matrix (e.g., 75°C) is significantly higher than the new boiling point of the sacrificial water-based gel layer (e.g., 60°C). This temperature difference constitutes a strong driving force for heat transfer, causing the heat of the high-temperature matrix to be transferred immediately and rapidly to the adjacent sacrificial water-based gel layer.

[0069] Since the sacrificial water-based gel layer is already at its boiling point, the absorbed heat does not raise its own temperature, but is entirely converted into latent heat of vaporization, driving a violent and instantaneous flash phase transition in the internal water. This flash phase transition process actively and massively consumes the internal heat energy from the high-temperature matrix within milliseconds, causing the temperature of the high-temperature matrix to drop sharply and instantaneously.

[0070] This mechanism constructs a dual thermodynamic barrier between the high-temperature matrix and the innermost microbial nucleus, consisting of heat absorption from phase change and steam insulation generated by flash evaporation. This effectively blocks the transfer of deadly heat to the microbial nucleus, protecting the survival of the active microorganisms inside.

[0071] Step 4: Inside the vacuum granulation chamber 1, the composite material stream output from the co-extrusion unit is cut into granules using a pelletizing device. The flash evaporation process not only provides instantaneous thermal protection, but the vaporization of moisture also removes residual heat from the granules, achieving partial drying and facilitating rapid cooling and shaping of the granules.

[0072] The cut granules fall into the airlock discharge valve 4 at the bottom of the vacuum granulation chamber 1 under the action of gravity. The airlock discharge valve 4 operates periodically or continuously, discharging the finished granules from the system without disrupting the stable negative pressure environment inside the chamber, thereby achieving continuous and stable operation of the entire processing technology.

[0073] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. The application of a fertilizer processing equipment in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, include: The co-extrusion unit has a three-channel concentric structure at its output end, which is used to simultaneously output microbial core material, matrix and sacrificial water-based gel, and they converge at the end of the output end to form a three-layer composite material flow, wherein the innermost layer is the microbial core material layer, the outermost layer is the matrix layer, and the middle layer is the sacrificial water-based gel layer. The vacuum granulation chamber (1) has a feed inlet (101) and an air extraction port (102) on its top. The feed inlet (101) is connected to the output end of the co-extrusion unit. The air extraction port (102) is connected to the vacuum pump (3) through the air extraction pipe (2). The vacuum pump (3) maintains a negative pressure environment in the vacuum granulation chamber (1). The vacuum granulation chamber (1) is equipped with a pelletizing device located below the output end of the co-extrusion unit. Its cutting end is close to the outlet end face of the output end of the co-extrusion unit. The bottom of the vacuum granulation chamber (1) is a conical collecting hopper, and a discharge port (103) is opened at the bottom end. An airlock discharge valve (4) is provided at the discharge port (103).

2. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 1 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The co-extrusion unit includes a microbial core material component (5), a sacrificial water-based gel component (6), and a matrix component (7) arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The connection between the three components adopts a sealed and fixed structure and remains vertical.

3. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 2 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The inoculum core component (5) includes an inoculum core silo (501). The top of the inoculum core silo (501) is connected to the output end of the inoculum core conveying equipment, and the bottom is provided with multiple evenly distributed conveying pipes (502). The inoculum core is conveyed into the inoculum core silo (501) by the inoculum core conveying equipment and then output synchronously by the multiple conveying pipes (502).

4. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 3 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The sacrificial water-based gel assembly (6) includes a gel chamber (601) with an opening at the top. The opening is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the inoculum core chamber (501), and the two are sealed to each other. The bottom of the gel chamber (601) is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed delivery pipes (602). Each delivery pipe (602) corresponds one-to-one with a delivery pipe (502), and the delivery pipe (502) passes through the delivery pipe (602). The inner diameter of 02) is larger than the outer diameter of the first conveying pipe (502). The outer wall of the second conveying pipe (602) is also attached and fixedly connected with a heat insulation layer (603). The top of the gel chamber (601) is connected to the output end of the gel conveying device. The input end of the gel conveying device is connected to the output end of the gel stirring device. The sacrificial water-based gel is extracted from the gel stirring device through the gel conveying device and conveyed to the gel chamber (601), and then output synchronously by multiple second conveying pipes (602).

5. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 4 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The gel stirring device includes a stirring vessel (8), which is used to disperse a certain amount of gelling agent in a certain amount of water under shear stirring at a preset temperature until the gelling agent powder is completely hydrated and dissolved to form a uniform and transparent gel solution. The stirring vessel (8) has an exhaust port at the top, which is connected to a vacuum pump (3) through a pipe. The discharge end of the stirring vessel (8) is connected to a cooling tank (9), and an electrically controlled valve is provided on the pipeline connecting the two. The cooling tank (9) is used to cool the sacrificial water-based gel inside it. The output end of the cooling tank (9) is connected to the extraction end of the gel conveying device.

6. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 4 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The matrix component (7) includes a matrix chamber (701). The top of the matrix chamber (701) is open, and its opening is fitted and fixedly connected to the bottom of the gel chamber (601), and the two are sealed to each other. The bottom of the matrix chamber (701) is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed delivery pipes three (702). The delivery pipes three (702) correspond one-to-one with the delivery pipes two (602), and the delivery pipes two (602) pass through the delivery pipes three (702). The inner diameter of the delivery pipes three (702) is larger than the outer diameter of the heat insulation layer (603) on the outside of the delivery pipes two (602). The top of the matrix chamber (701) is connected to the output end of the matrix delivery device. The extraction end of the matrix delivery device is connected to the heat insulation chamber (10). The heat insulation chamber (10) is used to store the matrix and keep the matrix temperature within a preset temperature range. The delivery pipe between the matrix chamber (701) and the matrix delivery device is also covered with a heat insulation layer.

7. The application of the fertilizer processing equipment according to claim 6 in fertilizer processing, characterized in that, The bottom openings of the first (502), the second (602) and the third (702) are flush, and chamfers are provided on the inner and outer walls of the bottom of the first (502), the inner wall of the bottom of the second (602) and the outer wall of the bottom of the insulation layer (603).

8. A fertilizer processing technology, characterized in that, The processing technology is based on the fertilizer processing equipment described in claim 7, and the processing technology includes the following steps: Step 1: Provide the microbial inoculum, substrate, and sacrificial water-based gel; Step 2: The microbial core material, matrix and sacrificial water-based gel are output through the co-extrusion unit into the vacuum granulation chamber (1) under negative pressure environment, and the matrix as the outermost layer, the microbial core material as the innermost layer and the sacrificial water-based gel as the middle layer are output concentrically. Step 3: In the vacuum granulation chamber (1), the heat of the matrix and the negative pressure environment are used to make the sacrificial water-based gel undergo flash evaporation phase change in order to absorb the heat of the matrix and protect the microbial core material. Step 4: In the vacuum granulation chamber (1), the composite material flow output from the co-extrusion unit is cut by a pelletizing device to form granules.

9. The fertilizer processing technology according to claim 8, characterized in that, Step one includes maintaining the matrix temperature within a preset temperature range and cooling the sacrificial water-based gel.

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