Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana

This paper describes a study that was aimed at optimizing the pelletization of fecal sludge-based fertilizers for agricultural use. The process developed is easy to implement and increases the marketability of the products while also addressing a serious health and environmental challenge. The study...

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Autores principales: Nikiema, Josiane, Cofie, Olufunke O., Impraim, Robert, Adamtey, Noah
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Canadian Center of Science and Education 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40207
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author Nikiema, Josiane
Cofie, Olufunke O.
Impraim, Robert
Adamtey, Noah
author_browse Adamtey, Noah
Cofie, Olufunke O.
Impraim, Robert
Nikiema, Josiane
author_facet Nikiema, Josiane
Cofie, Olufunke O.
Impraim, Robert
Adamtey, Noah
author_sort Nikiema, Josiane
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper describes a study that was aimed at optimizing the pelletization of fecal sludge-based fertilizers for agricultural use. The process developed is easy to implement and increases the marketability of the products while also addressing a serious health and environmental challenge. The study took place during the period 2011-2012 in Ghana. The fecal sludge, rich in nutrients and organic matter, was dried and used to produce five different fertilizers (i.e., four formulations of compost and one with gamma irradiated material). Each material was then pelletized using locally constructed machinery. Key operating parameters, such as moisture content (10-55% in mass), binder type (clay or starch) and concentration (0-10% in mass), were varied and their impacts on the characteristics of pellets (e.g., amount of fine materials generated, length distribution or stability of pellets, and pellet disintegration rate) were also followed. Given the low analyzing capabilities of developing countries, some simple analytical methods were developed and used to compare pellets produced under different conditions. The results confirmed that the addition of 3% of pregelatinized starch is recommended during pelletization of fecal sludge-based fertilizers. Applicable moisture contents were also identified per fertilizer type, and were found to comprise between 21 and 43%.
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spelling CGSpace402072025-06-17T08:23:24Z Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana Nikiema, Josiane Cofie, Olufunke O. Impraim, Robert Adamtey, Noah fertilizers faecal coliforms sewage sludge pellets composts gamma irradiation moisture content public health analytical methods This paper describes a study that was aimed at optimizing the pelletization of fecal sludge-based fertilizers for agricultural use. The process developed is easy to implement and increases the marketability of the products while also addressing a serious health and environmental challenge. The study took place during the period 2011-2012 in Ghana. The fecal sludge, rich in nutrients and organic matter, was dried and used to produce five different fertilizers (i.e., four formulations of compost and one with gamma irradiated material). Each material was then pelletized using locally constructed machinery. Key operating parameters, such as moisture content (10-55% in mass), binder type (clay or starch) and concentration (0-10% in mass), were varied and their impacts on the characteristics of pellets (e.g., amount of fine materials generated, length distribution or stability of pellets, and pellet disintegration rate) were also followed. Given the low analyzing capabilities of developing countries, some simple analytical methods were developed and used to compare pellets produced under different conditions. The results confirmed that the addition of 3% of pregelatinized starch is recommended during pelletization of fecal sludge-based fertilizers. Applicable moisture contents were also identified per fertilizer type, and were found to comprise between 21 and 43%. 2013 2014-06-13T14:47:10Z 2014-06-13T14:47:10Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40207 en Open Access Canadian Center of Science and Education Nikiema, Josiane; Cofie, Olufunke; Impraim, Robert; Adamtey, N. 2013. Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana. Environment and Pollution, 2(4):70-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.5539/ep.v2n4p70
spellingShingle fertilizers
faecal coliforms
sewage sludge
pellets
composts
gamma irradiation
moisture content
public health
analytical methods
Nikiema, Josiane
Cofie, Olufunke O.
Impraim, Robert
Adamtey, Noah
Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title_full Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title_fullStr Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title_short Processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low-cost technology in Ghana
title_sort processing of fecal sludge to fertilizer pellets using a low cost technology in ghana
topic fertilizers
faecal coliforms
sewage sludge
pellets
composts
gamma irradiation
moisture content
public health
analytical methods
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40207
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