A Sustainable Solution to Obtain P-K-Mn Glass Fertilizers from Cheap and Readily Available Wastes

Cosmin Vancea, Giannin Mosoarca and Simona Popa
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Cosmin Vancea: Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timisoara, Bd. V. Parvan No. 6, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Giannin Mosoarca: Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timisoara, Bd. V. Parvan No. 6, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Simona Popa: Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timisoara, Bd. V. Parvan No. 6, 300223 Timisoara, Romania

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: The sustainable economy framework imposes the adoption of new ways for waste reuse and recycling. In this context, this paper proposes a new alternative to obtain glass fertilizers (agriglasses) by reusing two cheap and easily available wastes, wood ash and manganese rich sludge resulting from drinking water treatment processes for groundwater sources. Glasses were obtained using different amounts of wastes together with (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 and K 2 CO 3 as raw materials. The P-K-Mn nutrient solubilization from the obtained glasses was investigated using a citric acid solution. The kinetics of the leaching process was studied after 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. The intraparticle diffusion model was used to interpret kinetic data. Two distinct stages of the ion leaching process were recorded for all of the studied compositions: first through intraparticle diffusion (the rate-controlling stage) and second through diffusion through the particle–medium interface. The fertilization effect of the obtained agriglasses was studied on a barley crop. The specific plant growth parameters of germination percentage, average plant height, biomass and relative growth rate were determinate. The positive impact of the agriglasses upon the plants biomass and relative growth rate was highlighted. The effects of agriglasses can be tuned through glass compositions that affect the solubility of the nutrients.

Keywords: glass fertilizers; cheap wastes; wood ash; manganese sludge; plant growth parameters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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