DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Amino acids are basic building blocks of proteins and provide the structural and functional framework to plant cells. Plants synthesize essential amino acids, which is a very energy demanding process. If the amino acids are externally provided to the plants, it will help the plant to save their energy and also help in faster growth and better immunity. This will give the plant, an additional capability to sustain and grow even in abiotic and biotic stresses. Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) or any other such hydrolyzed protein contains required amino acids for plants in a considerable amount. However, the application of the amino acid source to soil in a liquid form is not advisable due to leaching loss. Thus, a controlled release method shall be adopted for better utilization. It is also advisable to provide all the required major plant nutrients such as primary nutrients, secondary nutrients and micronutrients in one combination for the overall growth of plants and as well as soil health.
Many processes are known in the prior art for the preparation of fertilizer composition. However, critical problems such as formation of inhomogeneous solution due to precipitation of nutrients remain at several steps in the conventional process for the preparation of fertilizer composition. As a result of this, the some of the precipitated nutrients do not get adsorbed on the carrier which in turn results in off-spec final products.
There is, therefore, felt a need for an alternative process for the preparation of fertilizer composition that mitigates the aforestated drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a process for the preparation of micronutrients and hydrolyzed protein enriched fertilizer composition.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition that is simple and economical.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition. The process comprises chelating at least one micronutrient by using a chelating agent at a temperature in the range of 70 oC to 90 oC to obtain a chelated micronutrient. A predetermined amount of the chelated micronutrient is mixed in water to obtain a first solution. A predetermined amount of at least one primary nutrient is mixed with the first solution to obtain a mixture. Further, a predetermined amount of at least one source of Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) is added to the mixture under stirring to obtain a resultant mixture. The resultant mixture is added on to a predetermined amount of a carrier wherein the resultant mixture is adsorbed on the carrier to obtain granules. The granules are dried at a temperature in the range of 20 °C to 40 °C to obtain the fertilizer composition.
In one embodiment, the primary nutrient is added as it is in the first solution to obtain the mixture. In another embodiment, the primary nutrient is dissolved in water to obtain a second solution and the second solution is added into the first solution to obtain the mixture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, known processes or well-known apparatus or structures, and well known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Amino acids are basic building blocks of proteins and provide the structural and functional framework to plant cells. External administration of amino acids will help the plant to save their energy and also help in faster growth and better immunity. Moreover, the external administration will give the plant an additional capability to sustain and grow, even in abiotic and biotic stresses.
Many processes are known in the prior art for the preparation of fertilizer composition. However, critical problems such as formation of inhomogeneous solution due to precipitation of nutrients remain at several steps in the conventional process for the preparation of fertilizer composition. As a result of this, the some of the precipitated nutrients do not get adsorbed on the carrier which in turn results in off-spec final products.
The present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition that prevents the precipitation of nutrients and thus forming a homogeneous solution which leads to micronutrients and protein enriched fertilizer composition.
In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of fertilizer composition. The process is described in detail:
In a first step of the process, at least one micronutrient is chelated by using a chelating agent at a temperature in the range of 70 oC to 90 oC to obtain a chelated micronutrient. In an exemplary embodiment, the chelation is carried out for each micronutrient, separately.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, chelation is carried out at 80 oC. In accordance with the present disclosure, the chelating agent is selected from Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and Hydroxyethylidene Diphosphonic acid (HEDP). In an exemplary embodiment, the chelating agent is Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA).
In accordance with the present disclosure, the molar ratio of the micronutrient to the chelating agent is 1:1.
In the second step, a predetermined amount of the chelated micronutrient(s) is mixed in water to obtain a first solution.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the micronutrient is at least one selected from iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and Boron (B).
In an embodiment, the micronutrient is added as their chelated compounds or their inorganic salts. When inorganic salts of micronutrients are used, the chelating agent is added to micronutrients solution to avoid precipitation of inorganic salt of micronutrients.
Table 1: Sources of micronutrients that can be used in the process of the present disclosure for preparing fertilizer composition.
Micronutrients Micronutrient Source
Chelated compounds Inorganic salts
Iron (Fe) Fe EDTA (12 % Fe)
Fe HEDP (17 % Fe) Ferrous Sulphate (19 % Fe)
Manganese (Mn) Mn EDTA (12 % Mn) Manganese Sulphate (23- 25 % Mn)
Manganese Oxy- Sulphate (variable % of Mn)
Copper (Cu) Cu EDTA (12 % Cu) Copper Sulphate (13 – 35 % Cu)
Copper oxide (75 – 89 % Cu)
Zinc (Zn) Zn EDTA (12 % Zn)
Zn HEDP (17 % Zn) Zinc Sulphate (21 – 33 % Zn)
Zinc Oxy-Sulphate (variable % of Zn)
Zinc Oxide (80 % Zn)
Boron Boron ethanolamine (10 % B)
Sodium Tetraborate (14 – 20 % B)
Disodium Octaborate Tetra Hydrate (20 % B)
Boric Acid (17 % B)
Colemanite (11 % B)
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the micronutrient is used as EDTA chelated complex. The micronutrients are incorporated to the fertilizer composition by dissolving Fe-EDTA, Zn-EDTA, Mn-EDTA and Cu-EDTA and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) in water.
All the micronutrients except boron are used in chelated form for preparing fertilizer composition. Boron is used as its inorganic salt i.e. disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, as boron is a non-metal and does not form chelate. Complexes of boron can be formed with organic molecules by hydrogen bonding for example, boron ethanolamine.
Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is a cheap source of boron nutrient in soluble form. When this is used together with sulphate forms of other micronutrients, precipitation occurs. In order to avoid precipitation, other sources of micronutrient metals (iron, zinc, Manganese and copper) are used in chelated form so that precipitation should not occur. Further, it is known that chelated micronutrients have better relative availability to plants.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of micronutrient is in the range of 0.01 wt% to 5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of micronutrient is 3.2 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
In the next step, a predetermined amount of at least one primary nutrient is mixed with the first solution to obtain a mixture.
In one embodiment, the primary nutrient is added as it is in the first solution to obtain the mixture. In another embodiment, the primary nutrient is dissolved in water to obtain a second solution and the second solution is added to the first solution to obtain the mixture.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the primary nutrient is at least one selected from group consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the source of nitrogen is selected from the group comprising urea, ammonium sulphate, diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the source of nitrogen is urea.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the source of potassium and phosphorous is potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of primary nutrient is in the range of 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of primary nutrient is 1.06 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one secondary nutrient is added to the first solution along with said primary nutrient to obtain the mixture.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the secondary nutrient is at least one selected from group consisting of calcium, sulphur and magnesium. The source of calcium is selected from calcium oxide, calcium carbonate and gypsum. The source of sulphur is selected from sulphate compounds, gypsum and elemental sulphur in micronized form.
Further, a predetermined quantity of at least one source of Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) is added to the mixture under stirring to obtain a resultant mixture.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the source of cereal protein hydrolysate is selected from the group consisting of maize and soya bean.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of cereal protein hydrolysate is in the range of 1 wt% to 7.5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of cereal protein hydrolysate is 4.84 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
The resultant mixture is added to a predetermined amount carrier wherein the resultant mixture is adsorbed on the carrier to obtain granules. The granules are dried at a temperature in the range of 20 °C to 40 °C to obtain the fertilizer composition.
The moisture content in the fertilizer composition is in the range of 0.5 – 15 %.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the carrier is selected from the group consisting of bentonite, calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite and zeolite. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrier is calcium bentonite which is roasted before using in the preparation of fertilizer composition.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined amount of carrier is in the range of 85 wt% to 95 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
The carrier is in the form of granules having a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 mm and has water absorbing capacity in the range of 10 to 45 %.
In accordance with the present disclosure, the water used for preparation of solutions of nutrient sources is free from contaminants and hazardous materials. Typically, potable water or demineralised water is used in the process of the present disclosure.
The process of the present disclosure for preparing fertilizer composition results in the granules of the solid dosage form.
The inventors of the present disclosure have found that the addition pattern in the process of the present disclosure is very important. When the sequence of addition is not followed, precipitation of microonutrient occurs during the dissolution step. When precipitation occurs, some of the precipitated nutrients settles down and does not get adsorbed on the carrier which results in the formation of inhomogeneous solution. Thus, the uniform addition of the nutrient solution to the carrier is also disturbed leading to uneven distribution of micronutrients which in turn leads to off-spec product. Thus, in order to avoid precipitation of nutrient sources, it is required to follow sequential addition/mixing pattern of the process steps as disclosed in the present disclosure.
The process for the preparation of fertilizer composition of the present disclosure results in micronutrient and hydrolyzed protein enriched fertilizer composition for overall growth of plant.
The fertilizer composition of the present disclosure is required to be used in small quantities as they have sustained release pattern of nutrients, which will ensure longevity as well as better utilization of the fertilizer composition. The process for the preparation of fertilizer composition is simple, economical and safe for the environment and contributes to sustainable and low input-high output crop production.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure is further described in light of the following experiments which are set forth for illustration purpose only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure. The following experiments can be scaled up to industrial/commercial scale and the results obtained can be extrapolated to industrial scale.
EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
Experiment 1: Process for preparation of fertilizer composition in accordance with the present disclosure
The inorganic salts of micronutrients (Ferrous Sulphate, Manganese Sulphate, Copper Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate) were separately chelated by using EDTA as the chelating agent at 80 °C to obtain chelated micronutrients as provided in Table 2. All the sources of the micronutrients as provided in the Table 2 were mixed with 95.74 ml of water, followed by heating at 80°C under continuous stirring to obtain the first solution. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate and urea were added to the first solution to obtain the mixture. Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) was added to the mixture to obtain the resultant mixture.
The resultant mixture was then added to 1000 g of roasted calcium bentonite and was allowed to homogenize for 15 minutes to obtain granules. When the resultant mixture was completely absorbed by the roasted calcium bentonite, the granules were dried at 30 °C to obtain the fertilizer composition.
Table 2: Components for the preparation of the fertilizer composition
Raw materials Quantity
Carrier Roasted calcium Bentonite 1000.00 g
Primary nutrient Urea 10.64 g
KH2PO4 1.06 g
Micronutrients Zn EDTA 22.43 g
Mn EDTA 2.24 g
Fe EDTA 8.28 g
Cu EDTA 0.90 g
Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (DOT) 1.35 g
Protein Source Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) 53.19 g
water 95.74 ml

The Fertilizer composition by using the process of Experiment 1 resulted in clear solution (resultant mixture) containing micronutrients, primary nutrients, secondary nutrients and Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) as protein source without forming precipitate. The solution (resultant mixture) was adsorbed on carrier to form granules.

The fertilizer composition obtained by using the process of Experiment 1 was further studied for analysis of concentration of micronutrients in the fertilizer composition. The analysis of micronutrients in the fertilizer composition is presented in Table 3.
Table 3: Micronutrient analysis of the Fertilizer composition
Micronutrient Concentration of micronutrients (dry basis) in % *Quantity of micronutrient going to soil per hectare (gm/20 kg)
Fe 0.101 20.2
Mn 0.025 5
Zn 0.253 50.6
Cu 0.010 2
B 0.025 5
Experiment 2: Process for preparation of a fertilizer composition by random addition/mixing pattern of components in the fertilizer composition (Comparative example)
35.2 g of micronutrients (Ferrous Sulphate + Manganese Sulphate + Copper Sulphate + Zinc Sulphate + Disodium Octaborate Tetra Hydrate) were mixed with 95.74 ml of water, followed by heating at 80°C under continuous stirring to obtain the first solution. 53.10 g of Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) was added to the first solution to obtain the mixture. 1.06 g Potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 10.64 g of urea were added to the mixture to obtain the resultant mixture. The so obtained resultant mixture was inhomogeneous as there was formation of precipitates.
The resultant mixture (inhomogeneous) was not taken for further processing as there was formation of precipitates which would lead to uneven distribution of micronutrients in the carrier which in turn would yield an off-spec product.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a process for preparation of fertilizer composition, which:
• is simple, economical and environment-friendly;
• yields a micronutrient and hydrolyzed protein enriched fertilizer composition , that:
- is required to be used in small quantities; and
- contributes to sustainable and low input-high output crop production.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A process for preparing a fertilizer composition, said process comprising the following steps :
i. chelating at least one micronutrient by using a chelating agent at a temperature in the range of 70 oC to 90 oC to obtain a chelated micronutrient;
ii. mixing a predetermined amount of said chelated micronutrient in water to obtain a first solution;
iii. mixing a predetermined amount of at least one primary nutrient in said first solution to obtain a mixture;
iv. mixing a predetermined amount of at least one source of Cereal Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) to said mixture to obtain a resultant mixture;
v. adding said resultant mixture to a predetermined amount of a carrier and adsorbing said resultant mixture on said carrier to obtain granules: and
vi. drying said granules at a temperature in the range of 20 °C to 40 °C to obtain the fertilizer composition.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chelating agent is selected from Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and Hydroxyethylidene Diphosphonic acid (HEDP).
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary nutrient is mixed in water to obtain a second solution and said second solution is mixed with said first solution to obtain the mixture.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said micronutrient is at least one selected from iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and Boron (B) and wherein said predetermined amount of micronutrient is in the range of 0.01 wt% to 5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
5. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein said boron is used in the form of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.
6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary nutrient is at least one selected from group consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous and wherein said predetermined amount of primary nutrient is in the range of 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one secondary nutrient is added to said first solution along with said primary nutrient.
8. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein said secondary nutrient is at least one selected from group consisting of calcium, sulphur and magnesium.
9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said source of cereal protein hydrolysate is selected from the group consisting of maize and soya bean and wherein said predetermined amount of cereal protein hydrolysate is in the range of 1 wt% to 7.5 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.
10. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of bentonite, calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite and zeolite and wherein said predetermined amount of carrier is in the range of 85 wt% to 95 wt% with respect to the total amount of fertilizer composition.

11. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier is in the form of granules having a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 mm and water absorbing capacity is in the range of 10 to 45 %.

Dated this 4th Day of August, 2020

MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN
of R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY
IN/PA-25
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI