Shandong Tianli’s Spherical Calcium Chloride Technology Deployed at Zhejiang Juhua
On March 30, within the plant grounds of Zhejiang Juhua Group, a rotary granulation dryer for spherical calcium chloride dihydrate—constructed by Shandong Tianli Energy Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Tianli Energy"), a subsidiary of the Shandong Science and Innovation Group—was undergoing installation.
The product manufactured by this "colossus" is precisely the common raw material found in the moisture-absorbing boxes in our wardrobes and the snow-melting agents used on our roads: calcium chloride dihydrate.
For a long time in the past, domestic production of calcium chloride dihydrate remained stuck in the traditional flake-based process stage. While this method was simple and low-cost, the resulting product was prone to caking, generated excessive dust, and had limited application scenarios.
Now, this new unit allows for the upgrade of existing flake-based calcium chloride dihydrate facilities into spherical calcium chloride dihydrate facilities, thereby achieving a significant iterative upgrade of the product.
"Market demand for high-quality products is constantly rising, whereas flake-based calcium chloride dihydrate offers low added value. In comparison, spherical calcium chloride dihydrate boasts advantages such as excellent flowability and resistance to caking; consequently, it enjoys a wider range of applications and offers superior economic benefits," explained Zhang Qinglei, General Manager of Tianli Energy’s Drying Technology Division.
Responding to market feedback, some enterprises had previously embarked on the R&D of production units for spherical calcium chloride dihydrate. However, due to immature processes, poor production continuity, and the inability of equipment to sustain long-cycle operations, these efforts resulted in elevated production costs and high energy consumption.
Faced with this dilemma, Tianli Energy chose to take a path of "starting from scratch."
In 2020, they initiated R&D efforts for a process utilizing rotary granulation to produce spherical calcium chloride dihydrate.
After two years of intensive experimentation and problem-solving, the project team—leveraging their in-house laboratories—successfully completed process simulations, as well as small-scale and pilot-scale trials. Ultimately, they broke through the limitations of traditional methods and independently developed a rotary granulation process specifically designed for high-concentration (69%) calcium chloride solutions.
Tianli Energy’s rotary granulation dryer for calcium chloride dihydrate effectively integrates the two distinct steps of granulation and drying into a single process. This not only enhances the quality and added value of the product but also reduces the energy consumption per unit of output and minimizes tail gas emissions. "The spherical calcium chloride dihydrate produced by this process—compared to the flake-form calcium chloride dihydrate produced via traditional slicing methods—offers distinct advantages: lower energy consumption per ton of product, longer system operating cycles, superior on-site working conditions, and higher market selling prices," stated Zhang Qinglei.
Since 2022, Tianli Energy has successively completed Phase I and Phase II of the "80,000-ton/year Spherical Calcium Chloride Dihydrate Project" at Shandong Haihua; both phases have successfully achieved full production capacity and met all quality standards. Notably, the Phase I project underwent a technological achievement appraisal organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation in September 2023, where it was recognized as representing a "leading international level" among facilities of its kind. Two months later, in November of the same year, the project was awarded the Second Prize for Technological Progress (2021–2023) by the China Soda Industry Association.
In March 2026, with the commencement of equipment installation for the Zhejiang Juhua project, Tianli Energy’s rotary granulation technology once again saw successful real-world application.
The journey from initial project inception to achieving full-scale industrial production typically spans four to five years—a timeline that has long become routine for the people of Tianli. It is precisely this steadfast determination—this willingness to "tackle the toughest challenges," to seek breakthroughs at the very source of the process, and to patiently nurture these innovations—that has enabled Tianli Energy to carve out a unique path of development within the industry.
From Shandong Haihua to Zhejiang Juhua, Tianli Energy has demonstrated its innovative prowess in the field of drying technology through a succession of successfully implemented projects.
Meanwhile, back in the laboratory, a new page has just been turned in the record books—marking the start of yet another round of experiments, beginning once again from scratch.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website:https://www.shandong-tianli.com/
Phone:+8615651039172
Email:sales9@boxa-chem.com
