Bulk blending is a way to produce compound fertilizers in which the different nutrients are present in different particles. Due to the heterogeneous composition of bulk blends, particle segregation, when it occurs, is a serious problem to the fertilizer producer, as well as to the farmer. Free fall is one of the main types of particle movement to promote segregation. The physical properties of the particles that potentially affect the tendency to segregate the most are size, density and shape. The main objective of this work is to study the influence of size and density of particles and distance of fall on segregation due to free fall. It was found that particle size is the most important physical characteristic to affect segregation; the greater the difference in particle size, the greater the segregation. Free fall is an important mechanical factor affecting segregation; the greater the distance of fall, the greater the segregation. No evidence of the influence of particle density on segregation was found
Bulk-blended; compound fertilizers; segregation by coning