Top spray fluidized bed granulated paddy urea fertilizer

Top spray granulation process is a common technique used widely in pharmaceutical, food and special chemical modification for fertilizer manufacturing. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of studies regarding to the description of controlled parameters with dynamic correlation in targeting to produce urea granules. Thus, this research was carried out to introduce the crucial applied process parameters using top spray technique for paddy urea fertilizer production. The acquisition process parameter readings were verified by obtained yield of urea granules (UG) which featured as an optimum particle diameter size from 2 mm to 6 mm with reasonable hardness (crush strength) in range 2.0 kg/granule to 4.0 kg/granule, these criteria were required as a slow - release mechanism during soil adsorption interaction in paddy field to reduce amount of fertilizer consumption. Three significant parameters have been selected namely as air inlet temperature, the viscosity of binder solution and rate of top spraying from starch liquid binder to generate greater UG size from wet granulation interaction with smooth coalescence and consolidation growth . The data classification was screened by One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) 101 method and supported by 2 levels and 3 factors (23 ) of full factorial design for clear description to vindicate the critical parameter required during urea granulation using fluidized bed granulator corresponds to low energy consumption and economical process. The obtained parameter readings and findings of UG features were useful to be applied further for detail investigation on next stage regarding to agglomeration profile and mechanism using CCD camera and PDA monitoring devices

Statistical evaluation of the production of urea fertilizer-multiwalled carbon nanotubes using Plackett Burman experimental design

Abstract Plant growth rate is significantly dependent on application of nitrogenous fertilizer which mainly contributed by urea fertilizer (UF). Nanotechnology advancements in nutrition strategies for plants have attempted to assist plant nutrition for efficient plant growth. The development of carbon nanomaterials (NMs) including Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in conjunction with the advancement in biotechnology has expanded their application area of in the field of agriculture. The aim of the work is to identify the significant process parameters to attach urea fertilizer (UF) onto MWNTs. The UF-MWNTs was than characterized optically and chemically to confirm their bonding. Comparison study was also conducted between UF-MWNTs and UF-functionalized {MWNTs} on total N content bonding to the MWNTs. The surface functional groups produced from functionalization process are essential for further modification of {MWNTs} and facilitate the separation of nanotube bundles into individual tubes. Optical, vibrational spectroscopy and chemical characterization were conducted on the samples using TEM, FT-IR and total N analysis confirmed the successful bonding of urea onto MWNTs. Plackett-Burman Experimental Design showed, two out of nine investigated parameters (amount of functionalized {MWNTs} and percentage of functionalization) were found significant in producing successful attachment of {UF} onto functionalized {MWNTs} (fMWNTs)

Characterization Of Phosphoric Acid Biochar Derived From Rubber Wood Sawdust For Enhancement Of Urea Fertilizer Impregnation

This paper examines the physiochemical properties of phosphoric acid treated biochar for improvement of urea fertilizer impregnation process. The biochar was heated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) of 1.5 M (TB1) and 1 M (TB2) concentrations at 80 and 90°C temperature respectively. The treated biochar then were impregnated with 2 wt. % of dissolved urea fertilizer while continuously stirred until the mixture recrystallize to form solid urea impregnated biochar fertilizer (TB1-U and TB2-U). TB1 revealed highest composition of C (66.36%), H (6.53%) and N (1.65%) compared to TB2 composition of C (61.84%), H (4.60%) and N (1.06%). FT-IR results indicated the presence of C-O stretch functional group at 1200 cm−1 to 900cm−1 wavelength and the presence of aromatic ring (C=O) stretching vibration at 1590cm−1-1550cm-1 wavelength revealed chemical reaction occurred due to phosphoric acid treatment. The microporosity results display more micropores formation on the sample surfaces, thus provide higher surface area possible for urea molecule to be impregnated. SEM-EDX exposed qualitatively and quantitatively the presence of 43% N on TB1-U surfaces compared with slightly lower at 42wt% of N on TB2-U surface evidenced the effectiveness of phosphoric acid treatment on enhancement of the biochar specific surface area to be impregnated with urea for nutrient retained

EFFECT OF CHITOSAN GELATINIZATION TEMPERATURE ON WATER ABSORPTION AND WATER RETENTION OF CHITOSAN BASED UREA FERTILIZER

Chitosan is highly potential to be blended together in urea fertilizer for slow release properties due to its unique polymeric cationic character and gel forming properties. In agriculture, the slow release properties are normally indicated by the ability of urea fertilizer to absorb and retain water since nitrogen is released to the environment once urea is in contact with water or enzyme. This paper investigates the effect of chitosan content and gelatinization temperature on physical properties of chitosan based urea fertilizer. The chitosan content was varied from 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10 pph. Chitosan based urea fertilizer was prepared through a direct wet mixing using laboratory set up consist of beaker, magnetic stirrer and hotplate. The properties of chitosan based urea fertilizer were compared at two different mixing temperatures which are 60oC and room temperature of 25 ± 3oC. The mixture was then dried in an oven at 60oC for 8 hours before fabricated into pellet using a hydraulic hand presser. Water absorption and water retention analysis were carried out to measure amount of water intakes and amount of water retain in fertilizer. It was observed that mixing temperature has negligible effect on water retention of the fertilizers. However, mixing at room temperature resulted of higher water absorption values than mixing at 60C. These results were supported by X-Ray Diffraction analysis conducted on the fertilizers

Urea impregnated biochar to minimize nutrients loss in paddy soils

Rubber wood sawdust (RWSD) is converted into a porous form of biochar through the slow pyrolysis process. In this study, it is used as a green binder to bind the urea together and form a fertilizer. The objective of the current research is to investigate the effect of biochar impregnation with urea on the N-nutrients retention in soils. The biochars were produced at heating temperatures of 300 °C and 700 °C for 3 hours with continuous nitrogen gas purging at 30 ml/min and a constant heating rate of 5 °C/min. The obtained biochars were characterized by XRD, Boehm titration, pH alkalinity, BET specific surface area and SEM. Boehm titration demonstrated a reduction of acidic functional groups with the increase of heating temperature, recorded as 1.3 and 0.3 mmol/g respectively for 300 °C and 700 °C. Conversely, biochar produced at higher temperature was reported to have a larger specific surface area of 5.4 m2/g. The impregnation was carried out on both biochars produced with molten urea. Results from mineralization showed that the sample with impregnation retained more nutrients in the soil compared to the un-impregnated sample, manifesting biochar as a potential material to be impregnated with urea for slow release and better nutrients retention in s

Characterization of Biochar Derived from Rubber Wood Sawdust through Slow Pyrolysis on Surface Porosities and Functional Groups

Biochars were prepared by conducting slow pyrolysis of rubber wood sawdust (RWSD) derived from sawn timber. Eventhough researches on preparation of biochar from biomass have been reported by many researchers, limited work has been reported for investigation of biochar RWSD for its surface porosities and functional groups. Surface porosity of biochars provides a suitable dimension for cluster of microorganism to grow and higher porosity for better water holding capacity. Surface functional groups contain oxygen may help to improve the soil fertility by increasing the cation and anion exchange capacities to reduce the nutrient leaching in soil. The pyrolysis process was carried out at temperatures ranging between 300 °C to 700 °C at the heating rate of 5 °C/min for 3 hours with continuous nitrogen purging. The influence of pyrolysis temperatures on the biochars pores were investigated by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The surface functional groups were examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR). SEM analysis clearly showed the development of well-defined pores distributed on biochars surface. It was found that the maximum BET surface area and total pore volume were 5.493 m2/g and 0.0097 cm3/g respectively for biochar pyrolysis at 700 °C. The FT-IR spectrum analysis showed the functional groups decreased with the increasing of pyrolysis temperature. The results highlighted the effect of pyrolysis temperature on biochar pores accumulative that associated with soil fertility and nutrient retention in soil which could be beneficial to the agricultural industries

Urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as efficient nitrogen delivery system for rice

This paper utilized urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer as plant nutrition for rice to understand fully their mechanism of interaction. Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was treated by nitric acid at different reflux times. The individual and interaction effects between the design factors of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube amount and functionalization reflux time with the corresponding responses of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency were structured via the Response Surface Methodology based on five-level central composite design. The urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer with optimized 0.5 weight% functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated at 21 h of reflux time achieve tremendous nitrogen uptake at 1180 mg/pot and NUE up to 96%. The FT-IR results confirm the formation of acidic functional groups of functionalized MWCNTs and UF-MWCNTs. The morphological observation of transmission electron microscopy shows extracellular regions to be the preferred localization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in fresh plant root cells independent of their size and geometry. Penetration into the plant cell results in breaching of graphitic tubular structure of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with their length being shortened until ∼50 nm and diameters becoming thinner until less than 10 nm. The capability to agglomerate after translocation into the plant cells alarms potential cytotoxicity effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in agriculture. These work findings have suggested using urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for effective nutrient delivery systems in rice plant. © 2019 Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology

Urea Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes As Efficient Nitrogen Delivery System For Rice

This paper utilized urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer as plant nutrition for rice to understand fully their mechanism of interaction. Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was treated by nitric acid at different reflux times. The individual and interaction effects between the design factors of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube amount and functionalization reflux time with the corresponding responses of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency were structured via the Response Surface Methodology based on five-level central composite design. The urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes fertilizer with optimized 0.5 weight% functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated at 21 h of reflux time achieve tremendous nitrogen uptake at 1180 mg/pot and NUE up to 96%. The FT-IR results confirm the formation of acidic functional groups of functionalized MWCNTs and UF-MWCNTs. The morphological observation of transmission electron microscopy shows extracellular regions to be the preferred localization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in fresh plant root cells independent of their size and geometry. Penetration into the plant cell results in breaching of graphitic tubular structure of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with their length being shortened until ∼50 nm and diameters becoming thinner until less than 10 nm. The capability to agglomerate after translocation into the plant cells alarms potential cytotoxicity effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in agriculture. These work findings have suggested using urea functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for effective nutrient delivery systems in rice plant

Optimization Of Phosphoric Acid Treatment Biochar Using Response Surface Method

Biochar is derived from the crop residue as a multifunctional materials for agricultural applications and as a soil enhancer to improve soil fertility. The physical and chemical properties of biochar are improved via phosphoric acid treatment. The aim of this study is to optimize the acid treatment of biochar for two factor; 1) concentration of phosphoric acid and 2) heating temperature via Response Surface Methodology (RSM) by using Design Expert 10 software. A set of 11 experiments were carried out based on Central Composite Design (CCD) with three repetitions at center point. Hence, the responses were set in two factors; 1) pH and 2) negative surface charge. The biochar produced from slow pyrolysis process of rubber wood sawdust (RWSD) in a horizontal tube furnace heated at 5⁰C/minute from room temperature to maximum temperature of 400⁰C with holding time of 1 hour. Characterization of treated biochar was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and SEM with EDX. Analysis of variance of the pH and negative surface charge indicated that the selected quartic model was significant with p-value of <0.05. Predicted parameters to obtain the maximum negative surface charge were 1 Mol of acid concentration and 85⁰C of heating temperature with desirability of 98%

Boric Acid Modified Starch Polyvinyl Alcohol Matrix For Slow Release Fertilizer

The slow release urea fertilizer was prepared by the boric acid crosslinked starch/polyvinyl alcohol (SPB) matrix as biodegradable carrier material. Using a two level factorial design of experiment, a comprehensive understanding of the concentration of boric acid, reaction time and heating temperature in the preparation of SPB matrix was obtained. The swelling ratio, release profile of urea in water, and crushing strength were selected as the response. The interaction between the variables and response was analyzed using the ANOVA model. The system was confirmed using the constant determination,R2 with values above 0.99.The high concentration of boric acid with a prolonged reaction time at high temperature gave relative good results of swelling ratio, dissolution rate of urea and crushing strength. In the 28-day soil incubation experiment, the retention of exchangeable ammonium ion 4 (NH ) + was significant higher in SPB urea as compared to pure urea. There was a potential for SPB matrix to improve nitrogen efficiency by increasing the accumulation of exchangeable 4 NH+ and decreasing the dissolution rate of urea in the flooded condition