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Suneela Sardar, Suhaib Umer Ilyas+, Shahid Raza Malik and Kashif Javaid
Department of Chemical Engineering, NFC-Institute of Engineering & Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad
38090, Pakistan
Abstract: Compost produced from biological wastes does not contain any chemicals unfavorable to
living soil. This organic fertilizer is also one of them which contain phosphate, nitrogen solubilizing
bacteria and decomposing fungi, which is co-friendly and protect the plants from various soil borne
diseases. Results of trial based production of Compost at large scale is discussed. Different ratios of sugar
press mud (SPM), Molasses and Rock Phosphate was mixed, piled and transformed in to Compost
products in about 14-21 days. Single super phosphate (SSP) & Sulfur mud was also added and
investigated to increase the Phosphoric components of Compost to produce a good quality of biofertilizer.
In the end, granulation of this bio fertilizer was also investigated at different temperatures using Rotary
dryers to produce grains for the ease of farmers.
Keywords: Biological Waste, Nitrogen solubilizing bacteria, Sugar press mud (SPM), Soil borne disease,
Granulation
1. Introduction
Since 19th century, sugarcane is grown in
different countries for sugar production primarily.
Due to energy crises, scientists and researchers have
realized the value of sugarcane, its by products and
co-products. Sugarcane is processed to sugar and
biomass. This biomass contains many components
like lignin, fiber, pith and pentosans, which has
plenty of applications in biochemical & microbial
fields. [1] In this research paper, the main focus is to
use one of the by-product i.e. Sugar press mud
(SPM), which is converted in to compost fertilizer.
Production of composed fertilizer from lingocellulosic residues of by-products of sugar industries
is found to be worthy for maintaining health of plant
and soil properties and protects the plant from
various soil borne diseases. In this research paper, an
experimental large scale composting of SPM on trial
basis is discussed.
In many areas SPM is directly transported to
the fields from sugar mills as an organic
enhancement to fields. Due to this practice, cane
sugar yield has been increased causing decrease in
demand of inorganic fertilizers. [2] Being a flexible
crop, sugarcane is a rich source of:
(a) Fiber containing cellulose material
(b) Food containing sucrose, fructose, syrups
and jaggery
(c) Fodder made from green leaves and top of
cane, molasses, bagass, sugar press mud
(d) Fuel from residue/waste of sugar industry
2. Literature survey
For healthier crops and vegetables, organic
fertilizers that have negligible amounts of chemicals
are gaining more attention than chemical fertilizers.
They are preferable because they provide organic
nutrients to plant and enhance the yield. [3][4]
Compost fertilizer improves the microbial properties
of soil and raises the enzymes profile. [5] Sugar press
mud can be composted through degradation of
biological enzymes to improve plant growth and
crops productivity [6]. Organic wastes from sugar
industries like SPM are enriched with Nitrogen and
Phosphorous, which are the main part of nutrients of
3. Compost Fertilizer:
3.1 Sugar press Mud:
Sugar press mud (SPM) is also termed as
press mud cake or filter cake. During the processing
of sugarcane, cane juice contains a large number of
impurities which are in the form of precipitates and
these impurities are separated using filtration process.
Both types of filtration processes i.e. batch type filter
presses or rotary vacuum filtration process or,
produces cake. SPM produced during extraction of
sugar as an impurity has multiplex uses like as a
fertilizer, animal feed and industrial use as a building
lime after calcinations process.
Composition of SPM varies with different industries
by the following factors:
(a) Classification methods
(b) Variety of cane
(c) Locality
(d) Mill efficiency
(e) Soil type
(f) Nutrients available
This SPM is produced at a rate of 7-9% of
total weight of sugar cane in Carbonation industries
and 3-5 % in sulfitation industries. The composition
of SPM used to produce biofertilizer is listed in Table
1.
Sr.
Nutrients
%
1
Moisture
50-65
2
Fiber
20-30
3
Crude wax
7-15
4
Sugar
5-12
5
Crude protein
5-10
6
Nitrogen
2-2.5
%
30-35
10-25
23-23.5
16-16.5
4.8-5
2-3
1-2
Nutrients
Sucrose
Glucose & Fructose
Moisture
Ash
Calcium and Potassium
Non-sugar compounds
Other mineral contents
SPM
Molasses
Piling + Mixing
Granulation Unit
Storage
Recycle
Screening Unit
Rock Phosphate
Packaging Unit
Distribution Unit
Figure 1: Block diagram of process description of Compost
fertilizer Production
4. Process Description:
Production of compost fertilizer is very
simple process as described in block diagram in
figure 1. These experiments and production are done
in Lyallpur Chemical and Fertilizer (Pvt) Ltd,
Jaranvala. Sugar press mud (SPM) and Molasses are
obtained directly from nearby sugar mills i.e.
Hussain Sugar Mill and Shaker Ganj Sugar Mill,
Jhang. SPM obtained from both industries have
different content of organic matter. It is the main raw
material and it contains 40-50% of organic matter.
4.1 Raw Materials Description:
For the production of bio-fertilizer raw
materials used are Sugar Press Mud (SPM), Local
Rock phosphate, Molasses, Single Super Phosphate
(SSP) & some amount of sulfur mud. The complete
specifications are given in Table 3.
Raw Material
Sugar Press Mud
Local
Rock
Phosphate
Molasses
SSP
Sulfur Mud
Fraction
0.878
0.095
Percentage %
87.8
9.5
0.005
0.02
0.002
0.5
2.0
0.2
Screening Unit:
After granulation of compost, it is sent to
screening unit. Average size of the bio-fertilizer
should be of 5mm diameter for the ease of farmer and
good quality granule. Oversize and undersize
granules are recycled again to dryer unit. This
screening unit is same as the screening process used
for SSP screening. Product of required size is sent to
Packaging unit where it is packed in the bags through
auto-filling. And then finally product is sent to
distribution unit.
Testing of final product:
After the production of bio-fertilizer it is tested; 25%
of organic matter is present in the final product and
amount of molasses present is 0.5%.
5. Results:
Bio-fertilizer as a final product is shown in fig 3.
References:
[1] R.L.YADAV and S.SOLOMON(2006). Potential of
Developing Sugarcane By-product Based Industries in
India.Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, P.O. Dilkusha,
Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow-226 002, India Pp. 104-111.
Potential of developing Sugarcane by-products based industry in
India, R.L.Yadev and S.Solomon, Sugar Tech 8(2&3) (2006):
104-111
[2] Sugar Tech (2010) 12(1) : 15-20, Windrow composting of
sugarcane and coffee byproducts, C. Rolz R. de Len R.
Cifuentes C. Porres.
[5]Bulluk LR, Brosius M, Evanylo GK, and Rastaino JB, Apll. Soil
Ecol.,19, 147-160 (2002).
Conclusions:
Bio-fertilizer reduces the hardness of soil and makes
it more porous due to the presence of organic matter,
phosphate, sulfur and other minerals.
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