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Introduction

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Elias Biramo
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10 views3 pages

Introduction

Uploaded by

Elias Biramo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter-1: Introduction

1.1 Background:

Since 2000, bio fertilizers have been used in the country, mainly promoted by the
Ministry of Agriculture’s National Soil Lab and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural
Research (EIAR). The most common bio fertilizer is rhizobium-based, which helps fix
nitrogen in the soil.

The focus has been on developing specific strains of Rhizobium for legumes like faba
bean, chickpea, lentil, field pea, haricot bean, and soybean. The application process
involves mixing the strain with lignite and warm water, then inoculating the seeds before
planting. During germination, the bacteria attach to the roots, forming nodules that help
fix nitrogen. A 125g packet can cover a quarter hectare of legume crops. About 60% of
the nutrients are absorbed by the plants, while the remaining 40% enriches the soil,
improving fertility.

Crop rotation is recommended when using bio fertilizers. Research will continue to
identify and isolate more beneficial microbial strains. There is great potential for bio
fertilizers to boost soil productivity, especially for highland pulse crops. Research on bio
fertilizers began as early as 1982 with haricot beans.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoANR) and EIAR are dedicated to
improving bio fertilizers, which are considered the best method for biological nitrogen
fixation in legumes. They study various bacteria, including Rhizobium, Bacillus,
Pseudomonas, and cyanobacteria like Anabena azolea. The use of bio fertilizers has
proven effective in increasing crop yields, disease resistance, and overall efficiency.
Farmers have noticed that combining bio fertilizers with inorganic fertilizers enhances
soil fertility.

Bio fertilizers consist of milled peat or lignite beads containing Rhizobia. These are
mixed with a sugar solution in which seeds are soaked. After planting, Rhizobia colonize
the plant roots, promoting the formation of root nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen into
a usable form for plants. After harvest, the nodules break down, returning Rhizobia and
nitrogen to the soil, creating a sustainable cycle that improves soil health.

Bio fertilizers are widely used in various fields; including farmland, fruit trees, flowers,
landscaping, and lawn care, showing positive effects both historically and currently.
1.2 Problem Statement:

The production of chemical fertilizers is very energy-intensive, meaning it requires a lot


of energy and advanced technology. For instance, making nitrogen fertilizer involves
using raw materials like natural gas, naphtha, fuel oil, and coal. The Haber process is then
used to convert these materials into ammonia, which is also energy-intensive and needs
modern technology. Similarly, phosphate fertilizers rely on phosphate rock, while potash
fertilizers use natural salts to obtain potassium, both requiring significant energy and
advanced technology.

In Ethiopia, there is no local chemical fertilizer industry, so farmers must rely on


expensive imported fertilizers due to a lack of available technology and resources.
Additionally, producing chemical fertilizers is costly and harmful to the environment.
The intermediate products, such as ammonia and various acids need careful handling and
pose environmental and health risks.

To address these challenges, we aim on designing a bio fertilizer production plant. Bio
fertilizers are made from organic waste, like municipal waste and biomass, which offers
two main benefits: they help reduce environmental pollution and provide economic
advantages by utilizing waste materials. Bio fertilizers are environmentally friendly,
cheaper than chemical fertilizers, and require less energy and technology to produce.

In Ethiopia, some drawbacks of chemical fertilizers include limited availability, uneven


geographic distribution, high costs, and a focus on only a few crops. Farmers also face
challenges related to rainfall variability and a lack of awareness about fertilizers' impact
on future productivity. In contrast, organic fertilizers are preferred because they are
readily available in local markets, cost-effective, non-polluting, and beneficial for soil
health by supporting soil microbiology while managing organic waste effectively.
1.3 Objectives:
1.3.1 General Objective:
 To design a bio fertilizer production plant that utilizes organic waste materials
to produce environmentally friendly and cost effective fertilizers that enhances
soil fertility and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives:
 To identify and evaluate the raw material or waste we use for our bio fertilizer
production.
 To investigate the major unit operations in the production of bio fertilizer.
 Designing efficient processes for converting organic waste into bio fertilizer
focusing on minimizing energy use and maximizing output.
 To calculate the whole material and energy balance.
 To perform economic analysis by assessing the economic feasibility of the bio
fertilizer production plant.
 Last but not least to practice and implement the courses we have learned so far
and learn the process and principles of chemical engineering process and plant
design whilst doing our project.
1.4 Significance of our project:

The significance of this project can be viewed from multiple perspectives.

On one hand, the raw materials for bio fertilizer production come from organic solid
wastes that are often improperly disposed. This waste can pollute the environment, harm
public health, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. By producing bio fertilizer from these
organic wastes, we can help reduce these negative impacts.

On the other hand, creating bio fertilizers from organic waste can lower costs for farmers
who currently rely on expensive imported chemical fertilizers. Unlike chemical
fertilizers, which can harm soil health and contribute to environmental issues, bio
fertilizers offer a safer alternative. They do not negatively affect aquatic environments
and promote better soil health.

1.5 Scope of our project:


This project focuses on the entire process from sourcing raw materials to producing the final
product, which is bio fertilizer. It includes the design of key equipment, such as fermenters, and
addresses the main unit operations involved in bio fertilizer production. Additionally, the scope
encompasses the various parameters that influence the production process.

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