Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To achieve the upcycling of annually upsurging lignocellulosic wastes, the artificial humification of furfural residue is investigated under hydrothermal conditions with the objective of producing a high-concentration nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) suspension fertilizer. Through orthogonal analysis, process conditions are optimized as a liquid-to-solid (aqueous KOH to furfural residue) ratio of 15, a reaction time of 5 h and a hydrothermal temperature of 160 °C. Subsequently, we screen out a formulation of suspension agents to stabilize the alkaline leachate, in which 0.50% sodium lignosulfonate, 0.20% xanthan gum and 0.05% potassium sorbate are incorporated via wet ball-milling. The Herschel–Bulkley equation well fits the rheological characteristics of the resulting suspension fertilizer with R2 value exceeding 0.99. This suspension system is thus determined as one pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid. Due to higher static viscosity, it demonstrates superior anti-agglomeration capacity within a temperature range of 15–55 °C, while flowing smoothly through pipes during high-speed spraying onto the soil relied on its shear thinning. These findings provide novel insights for the high-value utilization of bio-waste and the development of new fertilizers with less consumption of energy and water.
Source: Processes
DOI: 10.3390/pr14010050
Authors: Nasen Bate, Xiuying Yang, Shuangqin Li, Jingxu Yang, Xue Li, Fuduo He, Dehua Xu, Zhengjuan Yan, Benhe Zhong, Xinlong Wang
Institutions: Yili Normal University, Sichuan University
Language: English
Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Awards: G1755859395, G7181417410
OpenAlex ID: W7116894280