TVA Fertilizer Research

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Browsing TVA Fertilizer Research by Subject "Micronutrients"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Cost Comparison between Clear Liquids and Suspensions Fertilizers
    (1980-09-12) Achorn, Frank P.
    The study compares the costs of producing and using clear liquid and suspension fertilizers. The authors address the potential cost savings of using suspension fertilizers due to their ability to be made in higher-analysis grades. The analysis considers factors such as raw material costs, investment costs, fixed and operating costs, transportation costs, application costs, and the cost of refilling nurse tanks and applicators. The study concludes that in most instances, the total cost of producing, transporting, and applying suspension fertilizers is lower than that of clear liquid fertilizers. The cost difference ranges from significant savings for certain ratios to minimal savings for others. While suspensions offer economic advantages, they require more complexity in handling and storage. The authors recommend employing personnel experienced in the mixing and applying fluid fertilizers for marketing suspension fertilizers. Additionally, precautions should be taken to agitate suspension mixtures in storage. The study notes that suspensions are particularly beneficial for operators facing challenges meeting sales requirements during the fertilizer season. Overall, the study highlights the economic desirability of using suspension fertilizers in most cases but emphasizes the need for expertise in their handling and storage.
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    Some Agronomic Implications on Use of Low-Grade Phosphate Rock
    (1980-10) Achorn, Frank P.; Jeffery L. Greenhill
    This document explores the agronomic implications of utilizing low-grade phosphate rock in various agricultural applications. With reports of impending shortages of high-grade phosphate rock in Central Florida, many regional companies have turned to low-grade alternatives containing 62 to 68 BfL (bone phosphate of lime) for their phosphoric acid plants. However, this shift has resulted in increased phosphoric acid impurities due to the rock's nature and the different operating conditions required for its use. Consequently, meeting the tolerances needed for products such as diammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP) has become challenging for many producers. Chemical analyses of commercial DAP samples reveal that a significant portion fails to meet the total P205 and nitrogen requirements. The reduced quality of DAP is attributed to excessive calcium sulfate levels in the phosphoric acid used during production, as well as high iron content and extended retention times in the preneutralizer. The document suggests solutions such as utilizing TVA's pipe-cross reactor (PCR) to eliminate the formation of citrate-insoluble P20s-Fe203 compounds and reduce sulfur content by optimizing reactor operation. Similarly, triple superphosphate (TSP) quality has also declined due to increased impurities in the rock and acid used during production. The impurities, including calcium, iron, sulfur, and aluminum, negatively affect the physical characteristics of TSP, making it difficult to achieve the desired screening results. Some producers reduce the acidulation ratio to address this, lowering P205 availability. Additionally, the use of ammonium sulfate solutions in TSP production raises the sulfur content of the product. While both ammonium phosphates and TSP contain significant amounts of sulfur and iron, their sulfur content is not typically sufficient to correct sulfur-deficient soils. However, it is suggested that they should still be considered as potential sources of sulfur. The document concludes that the availability of P205 will likely continue to be limited in DAP and TSP, emphasizing the importance of accounting for the unavailable P205 introduced through these products. Furthermore, it highlights the decreased water-soluble P20s in TSP and sulfur and iron's minor yet notable contribution to these fertilizers.
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    The Role of the Engineer in Providing Technical Information
    (1996-05-19) Achorn, Frank P.
    This material highlights the evolving role of engineers in the United States fertilizer industry, specifically in providing technical assistance and information regarding the production, marketing, and application of various fertilizer products. Over the past few decades, the industry has undergone significant changes, transitioning from a byproduct-focused approach to a more chemical-intensive and technologically advanced sector. This shift necessitated the expertise of engineers to supply technical guidance in areas such as product formulation, process design, equipment recommendation, and storage and handling procedures. The material emphasizes the instrumental role of engineering field personnel in developing newer fertilizer products, such as granular triple superphosphate, as well as the introduction of high-analysis grades and micronutrient incorporation techniques. Furthermore, it discusses the engineers' involvement in designing and operating bulk blending plants and liquid cold-mix plants, which have revolutionized fertilizer marketing systems. The material also highlights the engineers' contributions to developing liquid suspensions and their efforts in conducting demonstrations and providing technical support for applying these innovative fertilizers. Additionally, it mentions the importance of technical service groups within fertilizer companies and the division of the United States into regions to ensure effective consumer assistance and support. The material concludes by recognizing the potential for engineers to provide technical services internationally and overcome challenges related to fertilizer production, transportation, distribution, and application.
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    What’s New in Fertilizer Bulk Blending
    (1981-10) Achorn, Frank P.; Bauer, Herman J.
    The material summarizes "What's New in Fertilizer Bulk Blending," presented at the TVA Fertilizer Conference in 1981. The authors, Herman J. Bauer and Frank P. Achorn discuss the advancements and innovations in the bulk blending industry for fertilizers. They highlight various new concepts and developments in materials, equipment, additives, and application techniques. The authors mention the increasing use of urea instead of other nitrogen sources and the development of a granular form of urea. They also discuss using monoammonium phosphate (MAP) as a phosphate source and the growing demand for sulfur-coated urea (SCU) and controlled-release nitrogen materials. Additionally, they note the shift towards using ammonium sulfate (AS) as a source of sulfur and the emergence of granular sulfur. Regarding equipment, the authors highlight the use of corrosion-resistant materials and the incorporation of egg crate bin dividers for reducing segregation in bulk blends. They also mention the addition of micronutrients and pesticides to the blending process and use programmable calculators, microcomputers, and pocket computers for formulating fertilizers and performing other tasks like inventory control and accounting. Applying bulk blends with micronutrients and pesticides requires careful distribution to ensure optimal results. The authors suggest using overlapping applications and a minimum fertilizer material for proper particle distribution. They mention the development of an applicator that uses pressurized air for dry fertilizer application. The authors also address challenges and considerations in bulk blending, emphasizing the importance of particle size matching to reduce segregation. They discuss the potential issues related to the addition of fluid materials, the sensitization of ammonium nitrate (AN) by certain pesticides and the segregation tendencies of bagged materials.