Fertilizer production organomineral nitrogen a fine from charcoal

• Grant number: 16/08114-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: July 01, 2017 - March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Process Engineering of Agricultural Products
• Principal Investigator: Braulio Garcia Pereira Neto
• Grantee: Braulio Garcia Pereira Neto
• Host Company: Carbosolo Desenvolvimento Agrícola Ltda
• City: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Aline Peregrina Puga ; Cristiano Alberto de Andrade ; Nilce Ortiz
• Associated grant(s): 18/17194-6 - Development of biohcar-based NPK organomineral fertilizer, AP.PIPE

Abstract

Brazil is the only country in the world that uses charcoal in large-scale steelmaking blast furnaces. Of the total coal produced are generated about 15% of coal fines as waste. Use of carbonized material in the agriculture has become promising for improving the fertility of agricultural land and to be associated with relevant environmental issues such as carbon sequestration and reduction of emissions of nitrous oxide to the atmosphere, in addition to the waste recycling. The development of processes to transform charcoal (biochar) and byproducts into compounds with suitable characteristics for use as soil conditioners and fertilizers is highly desirable. Fine coal in the composition of this fertilizer, for example, represents innovation and technological solution of fertilizer from the economic as well as environmental point of view. In this context, the aim of this project is to evaluate technical and scientifically to this fertilizer production through the enrichment of fine charcoal with nitrogen. The research will be developed in stages, starting from the fertilizer granulation process, evolving to define the composition and determining the nutrient release from the granules. The experiments and tests will be conducted in Carbosolo labs, partner companies CIETEC and EMBRAPA Environment. The fertilizer production process is done by wet granulator through plate. The following process variables are checked: speed and load granulator plate; grain size and texture of raw materials; moisture content of raw materials; concentration of ligand in the liquid solution and the volume of solution added; and humidity biochar. In the composition of the fertilizer the following parameters are tested: concentration of biochar, type and concentration of additive and concentration and nitrogen source. The evaluation of release of fertilizer nitrogen is conducted by the beaker method by analysis of the solution at different times. They will be determined: pH, electrical conductivity and nitrogen concentration. The results of this project will define fundamental aspects about the fertilizer production process biochar base. All preliminary assessments obtained will serve as a foundation for further development of the products (Phase 2 / PIPE) allowing to achieve products with quality parameters required by MAPA for future registration and marketing, presenting also economic viability. (AU)