Synthesis and characterization of potassium silicate fertilizer using fly ashes of bituminous and sub-bituminous and lignite coal

Authors

  • Muhammad Imran Center for Coal Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.
  • Khurram Shahzad ICET, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.
  • Shahid Munir IEEE, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.
  • Muhammad Wasim QA Lab, Millat Tractors Ltd.Lahore-Pakistan
  • Ali Hussnain Department of Physics, GC University, Lahore-Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54693/piche.04826

Keywords:

Fly ash, Fertilizer, XRD, Humic acid, lignite

Abstract

Present study focuses on coal fly ash, a waste acquired from coal power plants for the synthesis of potassium based fertilizer by means of coal fly ash and lignite with simple blending of KOH and adding small amount of citric acid. Lignite and two types of fly ash bituminous and sub-bituminous were utilized for the formulation of fertilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the occurrence quartz and oxides of potassium in all fly ashes. XRD pattern also exhibited the orthoclase, mullite and zeolite as major compounds in fertilizer which were made from sub-bituminous ash. K2O, P2O5 and N were determined as essential compounds in sub-bituminous through using wet analysis. However, major presence of humic acid and organic matter were observed in lignite through wet analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy also confirmed the occurrence of humic acid in the form of carboxylic group in lignite and bituminous. Surface Mean Diameter measured by sieve analysis showed that particle size of sub-bituminous ash was smaller than others that most appropriate for synthesis of potassium silicate fertilizer.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Imran, Center for Coal Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.

Student

Khurram Shahzad, ICET, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.

Associate Professor

Shahid Munir, IEEE, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.

Director

Muhammad Wasim, QA Lab, Millat Tractors Ltd.Lahore-Pakistan

Quality Assurance Department

Deputy Manager

Ali Hussnain, Department of Physics, GC University, Lahore-Pakistan

Research Scholar

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Published

2021-03-24

How to Cite

Imran, M., Shahzad, K., Munir, S., Wasim, M., & Hussnain, A. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of potassium silicate fertilizer using fly ashes of bituminous and sub-bituminous and lignite coal. Journal of the Pakistan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 48(2), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.54693/piche.04826