Optimization of an NPK-Fertilizer Production Technology

Abstract

Ammoniac saltpeter is the most widespread in the world and effective nitric fertilizer. However, ammonia saltpeter has a severe disadvantage – fire risk and explosion hazard that causes some difficulties and restrictions of both its consumers and its manufacturers. The purpose of the present work consisted in the studying the possibility of production of NPК-fertilizers with improved agrochemical properties and a controlled ratio of nutrients N/Р2О5/К2О produced based on an ammonia saltpeter solution, ground phosphate rock, and potassium chloride. The laboratory and industrial experiments were continued using a rotatable planning method – the Box-Hunter second-order modeling technique. The article contains the research results on the regulation of nutritious elements (N/(Р2О5+K2O)) ratios in the NPК-containing fertilizers produced based on an ammonia saltpeter solution, a ground phosphate rock, and potassium chloride. The effect of independent variables – specific consumptions of ammonia saltpeter, a ground phosphate rock, and potassium chloride – was studied. The adequate regression equation of influence of these factors on an N/(Р2О5+K2O) ratio in the end products was obtained. Boundary values of the ammonia saltpeter, a ground phosphate rock and potassium chloride specific consumptions in the initial mixtures were found at which the total content of nutritious elements in the target products is from 30% to 33% and the N/(Р2О5+K2O) ratio has the optimum value (1.14 - 3.50).