Research Article

Agronomic Potentials of Boiler Ash Derived from Oil Palm Wastes as Fertilizer, Soil Amendment, and Liming Materials

Ezema Raymond Anikwe1*, Asadu Charles Livinus2, N. A. Onunka3, Ifejimalu, A. C4
1 Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, Nigeria
2 University of Nigeria, Nsukka
3 National Root Crops Research Institute, University of Agriculture Umudike
4 Department of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu – Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: rayezema65@gmail.com
Published: Apr, 2021
Pages: 118-123
Views: 507
Downloads: 824

Abstract

One potential problem with recycling power plant ashes is its variability both from fuel to fuel and within a certain fuel-type. This study obtained information on the main components of ashes derived from burning oil palm mill wastes in boilers for energy generation to obtain reference data for the development of its utility possibilities with particular emphasis on use as fertilizer, soil amendment, and liming materials. The physical and chemical properties of the boiler ash (BA) were analyzed and their test values and properties were compared with those of poultry droppings. This comparison provides information necessary for judging their suitability in comparison with widely used poultry droppings. The results show that BA has predominately sand-sized particles, with small bulk density (0.32 Mg cm-3), high electrical conductivity (433.8 d/s/cm), and pH (9.2). The chemical composition of the ash was dominated by macro-elements Ca, K, Mg, P, but are also enriched with micro-elements such as Fe, B, Zn, and Mn, The BA compared favorably with poultry droppings except in nitrogen content but has higher substantial value as an agricultural lime substitute. The results suggest that the BA may be useful for fertilizing and liming, given their phytonutrient concen- trations and neutralization potentials. However, its low nitrogen content and high electrical conductivity are a concern in situations of high application rate.

Keywords

Oil palm Boiler ash Poultry droppings Physicochemical properties Fertilizer Liming materials

References

  1. Blake, G.R., and Hartage, K.H. (1956) Bulk density in Klute A (Ed). Methods of Soil Analysis part I. physical and mineralogical methods ASA No. 9 Madison, Wisconsin U.S.A.
  2. Campbell, A.G. (1990). Recycling and disposing of wood ash. Tappi J. 73: 141- 146.
  3. Catricalla C, E., Bowden W.B; Smith C.T. and McDowell (1996). Chemical characteristics of Leachate from pulp and paper mill residues used to reclaim a sandy soil. Water, Air, and Soil, Pollut 89: 167-187.
  4. Demirbas, A. (2005). Potential applications of renewable energy resources, biomass combustion problems in boiler power systems, and combustion related environmental issues. Prog. Energy combust. Sci 31:171-172.
  5. Etiegini, L. (1990) Wood ash as an additive and liming agent. Ph.D. dissertation.Forest products Department. Univ. of Idaho Moscow, Idaho.
  6. FAO, (1979). The world reference base for soil resources. World soil Resources. Report 84. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation, Rome Pp 88.
  7. Gerlach, R.W., Dobb D.E., Raab G.A., and Noccrino J.M. (2002). Gy sampling theory in environmental studies. Assessing soil splitting protocols. J. Chemom. 16:321-328.
  8. Grau F., Choo H., Hu J.W., Jung J. (2015). Engineering behavior and characteristics of wood ash and sugarcane bagasse ash. Materials 8, 6962,
  9. Gomez-Barea, A; Vilches, L; Compoy, M. Fernandez-pereira, C. (2009). Plant optimization and ash recycling in fluidized waste gasification. Chem. Eng.J. 146: 227-236.
  10. Grant C.A., Buckey, W.T.; Bailey, L.D., and Secles, F. (1998). Cadmium accumulation in crops. Cam J. plant Sci 78:1-17.
  11. Huang H., Campbell A.G., Folk R. and Mahler R. (1992). Wood ash as a soil additive and liming agent for wheat field studies. Comm. Soil Sci Plants Anal. 23: 25-33.
  12. Huang S., Wu S., Wu Y., Gao J. (2014). The physicochemical properties and catalytic characteristics of different biomass ashes. Energy Source Part A 36, 402,
  13. James K.A., Thring, R.W.; Hell, S. and Ghuma, H.S. (2012). Ash management Review Application of Biomass bottom ash. Energies (5): 3856-3873. Doi10.3390/en510385.
  14. Jayalakshimi, M.J., Push P.K., and Murthy (2007). Fly ash improves soil fertility.Newspaper HindumThe edition/ Indian online National [www.Hindu.come/the](http://www.Hindu.come/the) hindu/mp/index. Htm
  15. Kalembkiewicz, J., Galas, D., and Sitarz-Palczak, E. (2019). the physicochemical properties and composition of biomass ash and evaluating directions of its applications. Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 27, No. 6 (2018), 2593-2603
  16. Khan A., Jong W., Jansens, P; splotch of H. (2009). Biomass combustion in fluidised bed boilers: Potential problems and remedies. Fuel Process. Technol. 90:21-50.
  17. Klutes A. (1965). Laboratory measurement of hydraulic conductivity of saturated soils. in methods of soil analysis. Part 2. C.A. Black et al., (eds) Am. Soc. Agron. 9:210-221.
  18. Lindsay W.L. and Norvell, W.A. (1978). Development of DTPA soil tests for Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn. Soil Sci Amer J. 42: 421-428.
  19. Obemberger 1.(1997). Aschen aus biomass feuerunaen. Zusammensetzung und verwertung VDI-Berichte Dusseldorf, 1319:199-222.
  20. Page, A.L; Elsewi, A.A., and Straughan I. (1979). Physical and chemical properties of fly ash from coal-fired power plants concerning environmental impact. Residue. Rev. 71:83-120.
  21. Richards, L.A. (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of Saltic and alkaline soils. USDA Agric. Handbook No. 60.
  22. Sharma, S.K., Kalra, N., and Singh G.R. (2002). Soil physical and chemical properties as influenced by fly ash addition in soil and yield of wheat J. SciInd. Res. 61:617-620.
  23. Saarsalimi S., Hedley, M.J., and White K.O. (2001) A simplified resin membrane technique for extracting phosphorus from soil. Fertilizer Res. 24: 173-180.
  24. Stevenson, F.J., and Cole M.A. (1999). Cycles of soils-second Edition. John Wiley and Sons Inc. Pp 427.14
  25. Schiemenz, K., and Eichler-Lobermann B. (2010). Biomass ashes and their phosphorus fertilizing effect on different crops. Nut. Cycle. Agroecosyst.87(3): 471-482.
  26. Van Herck P.V; and Vandecasteele C. (2001). "Evaluation of the use of a sequential extraction procedure for the characterization and treatment of metal-containing solid waste". Waste Manage. 21: 685-694.
  27. Vassilev S.V., Vassileva C.G., Vassilev V.S. (2015). Advantages and disadvantages of composition and properties of biomass in comparison with coal: An overview. Fuel 158, 330,
  28. Wolf B. (1990). The Fertility Triangle: The Interrelationship of Air, Water, and Nutrients in Maximizing soil productivity. Food products Press. Binghamton NY.
  29. Zajac, G., Szyszlak-Bargłowicz, J., Gołebiowski, W., and Szczepanik, M. (2018). Chemical Characteristics of Biomass Ashes. Energies 2018,11, 2885; doi:10.3390/en11112885.[www.mdpi.com/journal/energi](http://www.mdpi.com/journal/energi)
How to Cite

Anikwe, E. R., Livinus, A. C., Onunka, N. A., & C, I. A. (2021). Agronomic Potentials of Boiler Ash Derived from Oil Palm Wastes as Fertilizer, Soil Amendment, and Liming Materials. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 31(1), 118-123.

E. R. Anikwe, A. C. Livinus, N. A. Onunka, and I. A. C, "Agronomic Potentials of Boiler Ash Derived from Oil Palm Wastes as Fertilizer, Soil Amendment, and Liming Materials," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 118-123, April 2021.

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF Back to Articles