Fundamental Studies on the Improvement of Fertilizer Distributors (II)

On the Compressibility of Fertilizers

Abstract

A series of compression tests was made to analyze the performance of fertilizer in a top-delivery-type distributor. The result obtained may be summarized as follows: 1) The compressibility is chiefly affected by the average size of a particle, size distribution, shape factor and softness of fertilizer. The fertilizer tested can be classified into three groups, concerning to each compressibility. 2) The compressibility is nearly contrary to fluidity. 3) In consequence of absorption of water, fertilizer becomes easy to be compressed. This change of property is generally equivalent to the change of its softness. 4) The compressibility of mixed fertilizer is highly influenced by the property of dominant material.