Moisture Redistribution Mechanisms in Granular Mineral Fertilizers During Their Storage and Transportation

Long-term transportation and numerous transshipment procedures, in particular in hot and humid climate, cause the issue of preserving the consumer qualities of mineral fertilizers – the key issue for the industry as a whole. For Russian fertilizer producers it is especially important, as they supply huge amounts of fertilizers to the countries of Southeast Asia and South America.

In the case of granular NP and NPK-fertilizers, the mechanisms of moisture redistribution in the fertilizer array are shown both during bulk storage of the product and during storage in big bags.

The hygroscopic characteristics of the main grades of NP and NPK-fertilizers based on ammonium phosphates - polytherms of moisture sorption - were determined. Based on the data obtained, there is showed the effect of the conditions of storage and handling of mineral fertilizers (temperature and relative humidity of ambient air, as well as the dynamics and cyclical nature of changes occurring to the fertilizers, storage time, etc.) on preserving of their consumer properties – moist content and strength of the granules, caking and dust formation. The research results are confirmed by lab and practical tests.