2. | The Manufacturing
Process
Fertilizers are composed of several solid chemical
compounds. To make the fertilizer easy to use, each of these
compounds must be formed into grains. One method of
forming these materials is to put them into a rotating drum.
As the drum rotates pieces of solid fertilizer takes on small
circular shapes. Next the small pieces pass through a screen,
which separates out the sized particles. After, a coating of
inert dust is applied to the particles. The will dust keep the
particles from sticking to each other. Then, the particles are
dried. But when the components are granulated they are
mixed together producing a composite fertilizer. The
finished fertilizer is loaded into a hopper, which releases a
designated amount into large bags. The bags are sealed
closed and are shipped.
4. Raw Materials
Chemical Fertilizers: Fertilizers are named
after 3 numbers, such as 6-12-12, which means, 6
percent nitrogen, 12 percent phosphorus oxide, and 12
percent potassium oxide. The elements found in
chemical fertilizers are usually from rocks and
minerals.
5. Main Uses
Fertilizer is used as a substance added to soil to
improve plant’s growth. The fertilizer helps restore
food elements to the soil, to help with growth of the
plants.
6. Waste products
Fluoride is a waste product of phosphate fertilizer. At
the phosphate industry they capture all the fluoride
gases.
7. Safety
They are tested in agriculture laboratories, like the U of
S agriculture department and, independent studies.
