Electrical Engineering Department
Republic of the Philippines
golden gate colleges
P. Prieto St., Batangas City
Tel No. (043) 723 2663
College of Engineering & Technology
Fertilizer
BSChE | GROUP 2
Submitted to:
ENGR. ISABEL SACUROM
November 04, 2024
NAME CONTRIBUTION SIGNATURE
BOLOR, HONEY PPT, RESEARCH
CARILLO, ASHLEY PPT, RESEARCH
MEDRANO, TESSA PPT, RESEARCH
SERRANO, JHAZLYN PPT, RESEARCH
What are fertilizers?
Fertilizers are any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or plant
tissues to supply plant nutrients. They may be distinct from liming materials or other non-
nutrient soil amendments. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially
produced. Furthermore, farmers use them daily to enhance crop yield.
The composition of fertilizers involves the necessary nutrients needed by the plants. Such
essential nutrients are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Consequently, the water
retention capacity of the soil is enhanced, which in turn increases fertility.
The composition of fertilizers makes them suitable food for plants. Furthermore, various
chemical fertilizers examples provide beneficial nutrients that plants need to grow.
Types of Fertilizers
The 2 main types of fertilizer are mentioned below:
Inorganic Fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers are one of the chemical fertilizers types that involve various essential
nutrient elements. Furthermore, they are made not by natural means but rather by
chemical means. Moreover, these examples assist in the growth of crops. The inorganic
fertilizers are of the following types:
Nitrogen Fertilizer- It contains nitrogen that crops require for their development.
Furthermore, chlorophyll’s main constituent is Nitrogen which maintains a balance in
photosynthesis. Moreover, they are also a part of amino acids that constitute protein.
- Ammonium Nitrate: A high-nitrogen fertilizer used in both agriculture and explosives.
The Haber-Bosch process, which combines nitrogen from the air with hydrogen
(typically derived from natural gas) under high pressure and temperature, produces
ammonia (NH₃). Ammonia is the foundation for most nitrogen fertilizers.
- Urea: Commonly used for its high nitrogen content and versatility. Ammonia is
reacted with carbon dioxide to form urea, a highly concentrated nitrogen source.
Phosphorus Fertilizer - The main nutrient in it is phosphorus. Furthermore, Phosphorus
plays a key role in the growth and development of the plant cell. Moreover, this type of
fertilizer is beneficial for the growth of roots.
- Superphosphate: Made by reacting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid.
- Diammonium Phosphate (DAP): A high-phosphorus fertilizer that also contains
nitrogen. Phosphate rock is treated with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid,
which is then neutralized to produce diammonium phosphate (DAP) and
monoammonium phosphate (MAP), among other products.
Potassium Fertilizers:
- Potassium Chloride (KCl): Known as muriate of potash, the most widely used
potassium fertilizer. Potassium fertilizers are usually extracted from mineral deposits
and refined through processes like flotation and crystallization to produce potassium
chloride (KCl), the most common potassium fertilizer.
- Potassium Sulfate (K₂SO₄): Less common, used in chlorine-sensitive crops.
Compound (NPK) Fertilizers - Blends that combine nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium in specific ratios tailored to crop needs.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are the second main type. Furthermore, experts obtain this type of
fertilizer from living beings. The soil enrichment takes place due to the carbonic
compounds that play an important role in the growth of plants. The increase of the organic
matter content of the soil takes place with the organic type. Moreover, this type of fertilizer
also facilitates the reproduction of microorganisms and improves soil characteristics.
Process and Equipment Used
The production of fertilizer involves a range of specialized equipment designed to process
raw materials, control chemical reactions, and produce uniform granules for efficient
application.
1. Mixers and Blenders: These are essential in combining different raw materials, such
as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), to create a balanced fertilizer mix. Ribbon
blenders and paddle mixers are commonly used, ensuring uniform distribution of nutrients
in each batch.
2. Granulators: Granulation is crucial for creating fertilizers in solid pellet or granular form,
which makes it easier to apply and more effective in soil. Drum granulators and disc
granulators are popular choices, as they shape the fertilizer mix into granules by tumbling
or rotating.
3. Dryers: After granulation, fertilizers often contain moisture that must be reduced to
prevent clumping and ensure a long shelf life. Rotary dryers are widely used, where
heated air flows over the granules, removing excess moisture.
4. Coolers: Following drying, coolers are used to bring down the temperature of granules.
This prevents moisture from reentering the fertilizer and prepares the product for
packaging. Fluid bed coolers and rotary coolers are commonly used, working by
circulating cool air around the granules.
5. Screeners: To ensure uniform size, screeners sort the granules. They separate
oversized or undersized particles, recycling them back into the production process.
Vibrating and rotary screens are frequently used to achieve this.
6. Packaging Equipment: Once prepared, fertilizers are packaged in bags or containers
for distribution. Automated bagging and packaging machines improve efficiency and
accuracy, often equipped with weighing systems to ensure each package meets specific
weight requirements. Each piece of equipment plays a crucial role in producing high-
quality fertilizers, promoting better crop growth and soil health
Importance in Society
Fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food
security. They provide essential nutrients that plants need for healthy growth, leading to
increased crop yields and improved food quality.
A key challenge is boosting productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Mismanaged nutrient applications can harm ecosystems, leading to nutrient runoff and
water pollution. However, when used responsibly, fertilizers contribute to agricultural
systems that provide economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Advantages of Fertilizer
Boosting food production: Fertilizers help increase crop yields per unit of land, allowing
farmers to produce more food without needing to expand into new areas, thereby
supporting efforts to prevent deforestation. This not only leads to greater food availability
in markets, helping to feed a growing population, but also contributes to maintaining
ecosystem stability.
Supporting sustainability: By maintaining soil fertility over time, fertilizers ensure that
soils remain productive and healthy, supporting long-term agricultural sustainability. This
helps farmers continue to grow high-quality crops season after season without depleting
the land.
Improving profitability: By applying fertilizers using the 4R approach (right source, right
rate, right time, and right place), farmers can maximize crop growth while minimizing
waste. This efficient use of fertilizers reduces production costs per tonne of crop and
results in more and better products to sell, ultimately enhancing farmers' profitability.
Disadvantages of Fertilizer
The following are some of the consequences and downsides of the unintentional and
excessive usage of chemical fertilizers:
Soil degradation - Excessive use of fertilizers can significantly raise acidity levels, create
macronutrient saturation, or change it to the point where the soil loses sensitivity and
absorbency to various nutrients.
Groundwater contamination - Applying excessive doses of fertilizer may leak into the
area below the root zone and reach the groundwater.
Salt burns - These burns indicate excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Fertilizers with a
high saline index and chemicals like sodium nitrate are the ones that get the most
attention or follow-up to avoid salt burns.
Excessive growth - Because of the excessive and uncontrolled application of chemical
fertilizers, the proportions and growth of the plants may exceed typical criteria. When this
point is reached, the harvest and survival of the plants are jeopardized, rather than
improving productivity.
The best way to avoid these disadvantages is by high efficiency fertilizers applied
according to the 4R nutrient stewardship (Right fertilizer source, Right rate, Right time,
Right placement). Haifa fertigation and controlled release fertilizers are excellent for
application according to the principles of 4R , to minimize damage to the environment,
while taking into account the economic needs of the farmers.
Industries Involved in Fertilizer Production
Agricultural Chemical Companies: Companies like Nutrien, Yara International, and CF
Industries focus on producing various fertilizers to supply agricultural sectors worldwide.
Mining Companies: PotashCorp, Mosaic, and Uralkali mine potassium-rich minerals and
phosphate rock, which are essential raw materials.
Oil and Gas: Companies like ExxonMobil and BP provide natural gas, a key feedstock in
ammonia and urea production
Conclusion
Fertilizer production is a critical component of the chemical process industries, enabling
increased agricultural productivity through nutrient supplementation. This industry relies
on sophisticated chemical processes, such as the Haber-Bosch and Ostwald processes,
as well as advanced equipment for synthesis, granulation, and purification. With rising
global food demands, the fertilizer industry must continue innovating to balance
productivity and environmental stewardship. Advances like "green ammonia" and
precision agriculture hold promises for reducing the environmental impact of fertilizers
while maintaining high crop yields
