Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules

Organomineral fertilisers (OMFs) were produced by coating biosolids granules with urea and potash. Two OMF formulations with N : P2O5 : K2O compositions: 10 : 4 : 4 (OMF10) and 15 : 4 : 4 (OMF15) were developed for application in grassland and arable crops. Routine fertiliser analyses were conducted...

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Main Authors: Diogenes L. Antille, Ruben Sakrabani, Sean F. Tyrrel, Minh S. Le, Richard J. Godwin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/694597
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author Diogenes L. Antille
Ruben Sakrabani
Sean F. Tyrrel
Minh S. Le
Richard J. Godwin
author_facet Diogenes L. Antille
Ruben Sakrabani
Sean F. Tyrrel
Minh S. Le
Richard J. Godwin
author_sort Diogenes L. Antille
collection DOAJ
description Organomineral fertilisers (OMFs) were produced by coating biosolids granules with urea and potash. Two OMF formulations with N : P2O5 : K2O compositions: 10 : 4 : 4 (OMF10) and 15 : 4 : 4 (OMF15) were developed for application in grassland and arable crops. Routine fertiliser analyses were conducted on four batches of OMF and biosolids granules and compared with a sample of urea to determine key physical and chemical properties of the materials which affect handling and spreading, soil behaviour, and fertiliser value. Bulk and particle densities were in the range of 608 to 618 kg m−3, and 1297 to 1357 kg m−3, respectively. Compression tests showed that OMF particles undergo deformation followed by multiple failures without disintegration of the granules when vertical load was applied. Static particle strength was between 1.18 and 4.33 N mm−2 depending on the particle diameter. The use of a model for fertiliser particle distribution studies showed that OMF granules should be between 1.10 and 5.50 mm in diameter with about 80% of the particles in the range of 2.25 to 4.40 mm to enable application at 18 m tramline spacing. This research utilises novel technology to improve the fertiliser value of biosolids, reduce disposal costs, and deliver a range of environmental benefits associated with recycling.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1687-7667
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language English
publishDate 2013-01-01
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series Applied and Environmental Soil Science
spelling doaj-art-1b4947b048e7413ab1091cb36cb2cf102025-08-20T03:54:24ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752013-01-01201310.1155/2013/694597694597Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids GranulesDiogenes L. Antille0Ruben Sakrabani1Sean F. Tyrrel2Minh S. Le3Richard J. Godwin4School of Applied Science, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UKSchool of Applied Science, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UKSchool of Applied Science, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UKUnited Utilities Group PLC, Lingley Mere Business Park, Warrington WA5 3LP, UKHarper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UKOrganomineral fertilisers (OMFs) were produced by coating biosolids granules with urea and potash. Two OMF formulations with N : P2O5 : K2O compositions: 10 : 4 : 4 (OMF10) and 15 : 4 : 4 (OMF15) were developed for application in grassland and arable crops. Routine fertiliser analyses were conducted on four batches of OMF and biosolids granules and compared with a sample of urea to determine key physical and chemical properties of the materials which affect handling and spreading, soil behaviour, and fertiliser value. Bulk and particle densities were in the range of 608 to 618 kg m−3, and 1297 to 1357 kg m−3, respectively. Compression tests showed that OMF particles undergo deformation followed by multiple failures without disintegration of the granules when vertical load was applied. Static particle strength was between 1.18 and 4.33 N mm−2 depending on the particle diameter. The use of a model for fertiliser particle distribution studies showed that OMF granules should be between 1.10 and 5.50 mm in diameter with about 80% of the particles in the range of 2.25 to 4.40 mm to enable application at 18 m tramline spacing. This research utilises novel technology to improve the fertiliser value of biosolids, reduce disposal costs, and deliver a range of environmental benefits associated with recycling.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/694597
spellingShingle Diogenes L. Antille
Ruben Sakrabani
Sean F. Tyrrel
Minh S. Le
Richard J. Godwin
Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
title Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
title_full Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
title_fullStr Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
title_full_unstemmed Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
title_short Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules
title_sort characterisation of organomineral fertilisers derived from nutrient enriched biosolids granules
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/694597
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