Enhanced solubility of foliar fertilizer via spray dryer: Process analysis and productivity optimization by response surface methodology

Foliar fertilization is a highly efficient technique of applying needed plant nutrients. During pulverization in the field, the incompatibility between fertilizer and pesticides can cause clogging of the spray nozzles. So, this work aims to improve the solubility of foliar fertilizers to facilitate its application. The effect of airflow, inlet gas temperature, and feed solution flow rate over yield, productivity, solubility, and final moisture were evaluated. The powder solubility was improved because of the capillary effect caused by greater porosity, roughness, and particle agglomeration. The maximum productivity of 0.336 kg/h was obtained at 175 ºC, with a liquid feed of 0.82 L/h and an airflow rate of 1.95 m³/min.

Index terms:
Atomization; application of fertilizers; experimental design

Authorship

Leticia Alberto

Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro/UFTM, Uberaba, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro/UFTMBrazilUberaba, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro/UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brasil

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8297-8867

Mario Sérgio da Luz

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1226-9480

Kássia Graciele dos Santos

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7452-6900

Mônica Hitomi Okura ^**Corresponding author: monica.okura@uftm.edu.br

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9875-9378

^*Corresponding author: monica.okura@uftm.edu.br

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Figures | Tables | Formulas

Figures (8)
Tables (2)
Formulas (10)

Test	Factors			Responses
Test	T_in [ºC] (x ₁)	Q_in [L/h] (x ₂)	Q_air [m³/min] (x ₃)	η [%]	P [kg/h]	t [s]	M [%]
1	115.00 (-1.00)	0.30 (-1.00)	1.37 (-1.00)	82.00	0.12	13.00	6.80
2	115.00 (-1.00)	0.30 (-1.00)	1.83 (+1.00)	78.00	0.12	13.00	5.47
3	115.00 (-1.00)	0.70 (+1.00)	1.37 (-1.00)	67.00	0.23	16.00	11.02
4	115.00 (-1.00)	0.70 (+1.00)	1.83 (+1.00)	68.00	0.24	12.00	7.64
5	165.00 (+1.00)	0.30 (-1.00)	1.37 (-1.00)	80.00	0.12	18.00	3.32
6	165.00 (+1.00)	0.30 (-1.00)	1.83 (+1.00)	78.00	0.12	13.00	1.40
7	165.00 (+1.00)	0.70 (+1.00)	1.37 (-1.00)	68.00	0.24	24.00	3.80
8	165.00 (+1.00)	0.70 (+1.00)	1.83 (+1.00)	76.00	0.27	28.00	3.37
9	101.90 ( -1.53)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	71.00	0.18	20.00	8.89
10	178.10 (+1.53)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	74.00	0.18	31.00	3.52
11	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.20 (-1.53)	1.60 ( 0.00)	72.00	0.07	12.00	9.96
12	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.80 (+1.53)	1.60 ( 0.00)	74.00	0.30	14.00	5.54
13	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.25 (-1.53)	76.00	0.19	12.00	6.33
14	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.95 (+1.53)	79.00	0.20	14.00	3.41
15	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	76.00	0.19	13.00	4.16
16	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	76.00	0.19	12.00	3.51
17	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	78.00	0.20	12.00	3.54
18	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	76.00	0.19	11.00	4.28
19	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	77.00	0.19	12.00	3.73
20	140.00 ( 0.00)	0.50 ( 0.00)	1.60 ( 0.00)	78.00	0.20	11.00	3.94

Nutrient	Guarantee (%)	Tolerance limits (%)	SD-PFF nutrient content (%)
S	16.5	14.98 - 24.75	19.42
B	0.50	0.38 - 1.50	0.58
Cu	1.00	0.75 - 3.00	0.92
Mn	25.0	23.12 - 37.50	24.01
Zn	4.00	3.19 - 8.00	4.39
Acidity	-	2.80 - 3.80	3.10