Characterisation of Organomineral Fertilisers Derived from Nutrient-Enriched Biosolids Granules

Abstract

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−2depending 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.

Field‐Scale Evaluation of Biosolids‐Derived Organomineral Fertilizers Applied to Winter Wheat in England

“…A novel technology reported in earlier studies (Antille, 2011;Antille et al, 2013c) enables OMF to be produced from treated sewage sludge (biosolids). This technique involves granulating the biosolids and coating the granules with urea (46% N) and muriate of potash (MOP, 60% K 2 O) to produce a compound NPK fertilizer material.…”

The Possibility of Organo-Mineral Fertilizer Production from Sewage Sludge

“…Deeks [10] used OMFs derived from sewage sludge for improving performances of cereal, oilseed rape and bean within 3 years. The technology of OMFs production was similar to the technology in Antille's [49] studies. Digested dried sewage sludge granules (3-6 mm in diameter) were sprayed by melted urea in a rotary drum mixer.…”

“…Organo-mineral fertilizer can be defined as "a fertilizer obtained by blending, chemical reaction, granulation or dissolution in water of inorganic fertilizers having a declarable content of one or more primary nutrients with organic fertilizers or soil improver" [49]. Therefore, fertilizers can be produced from different organic and inorganic sources.…”

“…Such slow-release fertilizers are more efficient than conventional straight fertilizers and can reduce nutrient losses to the environment. An interesting solution for slow-release fertilizers is coating biosolids with urea [16,49] but during a technological process the losses of nitrogen occurred. In most technologies [16,49,[68][69][70][71][72] organo-mineral fertilizers are produced in a granulated or pelleted form, which is beneficial for spreading.…”

“…An interesting solution for slow-release fertilizers is coating biosolids with urea [16,49] but during a technological process the losses of nitrogen occurred. In most technologies [16,49,[68][69][70][71][72] organo-mineral fertilizers are produced in a granulated or pelleted form, which is beneficial for spreading. An overview of existing technologies showed that sewage sludge should be treated as secondary raw materials and can be successfully used for organo-mineral fertilizer production.…”