ROGEN FANCUBIT

BSChE 3

Chemical Process Industries

Fertilizer
 Fertilizer is a substance added to soil to improve plant’s growth and yield.
 Fertilizers are food supplements for plants and need one or more of the
chemical element for the proper development and growth of plants. The
most important fertilizers are chemical or mineral ferlizers,manures, and
plant residues.

PROCESS OF PRODUCTION
Step 1-The Production of Ammonia
 Natural gas and steam are pumped into a large vessel.
 Air is pumped into the system, and oxygen is removed this leaves
primarily nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
 The carbon dioxide is removed and ammonia is produced by introducing
an electric current into the system.
 Any impurities are removed from the ammonia, and then is further
processed.

Step 2- Ammonium nitrate is produced

 Nitric acid and ammonia are mixed together in a tank and an
neutralization reaction occurs, producing ammonium nitrate.

Step 3-Production of Ammonium Phosphate

 Phosphoric acid is reacted with ammonia in a separate tank. This reaction
results in ammonium phosphate.

Step 4-Production of Potassium Chloride

 Potassium Hydroxide is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form Potassium
Chloride.
 The Potassium chloride is converted into a more usable form
bygranulating it. This makes it easier to mix with other components of a
fertilizer’

Step 5- Granulation
 To produce fertilizer in the most usable form, each of the different
compounds, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride and ammonium
phosphate are granulated and blended together.
 The solid materials are filled into a rotating drum which has an inclined
axis. As the drum rotates, pieces of the solid fertilizer take on small
spherical shapes.
 They are passed through a screen that separates out adequately sized
particles.
 A coating of inert dust is then applied to the particles.And finally, the
particles are dried, completing the granulation process.

Step 6 - Bagging
 The fertilizer is first delivered into a large hopper to fill these bags .
 An appropriate amount is released from the hopper into a bag that is held
open by a clamping device.
 When filling is complete, the bag is transported upright to a machine that
seals it closed.
 The bag is then stacked for shipment to distributors and eventually to
farmers.

TYPES OF FERTILIZERS

ORGANIC AND INORGANIC

ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Natural fertilizers derived from plants and animals are known as organic
fertilizers. By adding carbonic molecules necessary for plant growth, it
enriches the soil. Organic fertilisers boost the amount of organic matter in the
soil, encourage microbial reproduction, and alter the physical and chemical
composition of the soil. It is regarded as one of the essential elements for
foods that are green.
INORGANIC FERTILIZER
Chemical fertilizers generated by chemical techniques that contain nutrients
for crop growth are known as inorganic fertilizers. The inorganic fertilizers are
of the following types:

Nitrogen Fertilizers-Nitrogen fertilizers contain nitrogen necessary for the

development of crops. Nitrogen, a key constituent of chlorophyll, helps main
balance in the process of photosynthesis.
Phosphorus Fertilizer-In a phosphorus fertilizer, phosphorus is the principal
nutrient. The effective phosphorus
concentration, fertilisation techniques, soil characteristics,
and crop strains all affect how successful a fertilizer is.

ADVANTAGES
 Easy to transport, store, and apply
 For supplying a specific nutrient we can select a specific fertilizer due to
its nutrient specific nature
 Water-soluble and can easily dissolve in the soil. Hence, they are easily
absorbed by the plants
 They have a rapid effect on the crops Increase the crop yield and provide
enough food to feed the large population
 Predictable and reliable

DISADVANTAGES
 Expensive
 The ingredients in the fertilizers are toxic to the skin and respiratory
system
 Excessive use of fertilizers damages the plants and reduces soil fertility
 Leaching occurs and the fertilizers reach the rivers causing eutrophication
 Long term use reduces the microbial activity and disturbs the pH of the
soil
HEALTH HAZARD AT WORKPLACE
Ammonia:(exposure to vapour)
 Coughing and nose throat irritation
 bronchiolar and alveolar endema
 airway destruction
 skin and eye irritation

Phosphate:(Inhalation of dust or mists)

 Kidney Damage
 Osteoporosis

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
 They contribute to greenhouse gases
 They can cause harmful algae growth in waterways
 They can disrupt soil balance
 They can attract pests
 They can be harmful to children and pets

USES
Uses Of FertiliZers
 Fertilizers are used for various purposes. The uses of fertilizers are
mentioned below:
 Used to provide additional nutrients to the plants
 They are added to improve the yield of the crops
 Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are used for the greening of lawns
 Organic fertilizers improve the texture and fertility of the soil
 Gardeners use fertilizers to address certain needs of the plants such as
nutritional needs
 Fertilizers are added to potted plants to replace the lost nutrients