Utilization of empty fruit bunch (EFB) char in the production of NPK slow release fertilizer (SRF)

Abstract

Char resulted from the gasification of empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a potential source of some components that can be used as a material in the production of NPK fertilizer. Beside that char also has a porous surface which allows it to hold the nutrients in fertilizer so that the utilization of char can give the positive effects to the availability of nutrient for the plant growth. That characteristics support the utilization of char as a supporting component for fertilizer production. In making the NPK slow release fertilizer, some main components that used in order to fulfill the need of nitrogen (N), phosphor (P), and potassium (K), were urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and potassium chloride (KCL). Zeolite was also used as a matrix to increase the character of the fertilizer. In this research, the materials above were formulated to produce the NPK slow release fertilizer for rice plant application by adding char as a source of potassium. The materials were crushed into powder form and then mixed and granulated with molasses as a binder to improve the adhesive strength of the granule fertilizer. In order to study the effect on the utilization of EFB char on the properties of the fertilizer, the NPK non-char fertilizer was also synthesized and characterized. The fertilizer product was then characterized to study about the surface area and pore volume, morphology, and its composition.