Iron supplement for plant and animal growth

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an iron supplement for growth with which it is possible to maintain the concentration of divalent iron ions (Fe2+) by reducing a transition of eluted divalent iron ions (Fe2+) to trivalent iron ions (Fe3+), which have a poor intake rate in plants and animals. To provide an iron supplement for growth with which it is possible to prevent soil and water areas from becoming easily contaminated with heavy metals due to the accumulation of bases. To provide an iron supplement for growth which has high solubility in water and with which it is possible to maintain the concentration of divalent iron ions (Fe2+). To provide an iron supplement for growth with which it is possible to reduce modification costs by reducing the input amount thereof when modifying soil and water areas. [Solution] Slag, which is amorphous and alkaline, is in a granulated or fragmented form, and contains an iron oxide (FeO) and at least one substance selected from a calcium oxide (CaO), a magnesium oxide (MgO), and a silicon dioxide (SiO2), is used as a supplement for iron that is essential for the growth of plants and animals.

Description

Iron supplement for plant and animal growth

[0001] The present invention relates to an iron supplement for the growth of animals and plants that can efficiently and at low cost supply iron, a trace essential element indispensable for the growth of algae such as wakame seaweed and kelp that live in seawater (aquatic areas), vegetables and fruit trees that grow in soil, and animals (excluding humans) such as livestock (cows, horses, pigs, birds, etc.) and seafood (fish and shellfish).In the present invention, the "iron supplement for the growth of animals and plants" will be simply referred to as the "iron supplement for growth."

[0002] Iron is a trace essential element that is essential for the growth of the various plants and animals mentioned above. For example, in terrestrial plants and algae, iron deficiency is known to cause various growth defects such as poor photosynthesis and poor flower bud formation.

[0003] In recent years, coastal waters have been experiencing a decline in algae growth and reproduction due to iron deficiency, resulting in the area being covered with calcareous algae, a phenomenon known as rocky shore denudation, and the death of plankton, resulting in the occurrence of red tides. As a result, there has been a significant decline in marine resources (animal resources) such as sea urchins, oysters, abalone, and fish that feed on these algae.

[0004] Previously, water-soluble fulvic acid iron (fulvic acid and divalent iron Fe) formed in forest humus soil was used. ２＋ The flow of iron fulvic acid (a compound in which iron is chelated) into coastal waters via rivers has prevented the occurrence of the aforementioned coastal barrenness and red tides caused by the death of plankton. However, in recent years, the amount of iron fulvic acid eluted has decreased due to factors such as forest degradation, leading to an increase in the occurrence of coastal barrenness and red tides.

[0005] The same is true for terrestrial plants, where a lack of iron causes poor growth of shoots and roots, poor photosynthesis, poor synthesis of amino acids and proteins that assimilate nitrogen, and poor flower bud formation, resulting in reduced yields.

[0006] To address this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an iron-containing composition for fertilizer in which the total iron content in the composition is 3 to 50 wt %, and 25 wt % or more of this iron content is ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2) or ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH) 3 The material is composed of iron compounds containing water of crystallization, which are composed of one or more iron compounds selected from the group consisting of iron phosphate, iron phosphate, iron phosphate, and iron double salts, and is said to have excellent iron absorption efficiency in plants.

[0007] Furthermore, the aquatic environment conservation material shown in Patent Document 2 is produced by mixing an iron-containing substance from steelmaking slag, which is a type of steel slag, with a humic acid supplying substance that has been fermented to produce humic acid. A support such as concrete mixed with or attached to the aquatic environment conservation material is then dumped into a water body, and the iron eluted from the aquatic environment conservation material is supplied to the water body, thereby resolving the iron deficiency of marine plants.

[0008] When the substances shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used as iron supplements for the growth of animals and plants, they are required to contain iron ions (Fe) in water, which have a high uptake rate for animals and plants. ２＋ ) is dissolved at a high rate, and eluted divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) is oxidized to iron(III) ions (Fe ３＋ ) is required to have a low rate of transition.

[0009] However, in the iron-containing composition for fertilizer of Patent Document 1, most of the eluted iron is trivalent iron ion (Fe ３＋ ) and divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) is low, and the iron contained is a water-soluble inorganic iron salt, so the divalent iron ion (Fe ２＋ ) state, and oxidation causes iron trivalent ions (Fe ３＋ ) and was therefore not effective as an iron supplement for plant and animal growth.

[0010] Furthermore, the iron-containing composition for fertilizer of Patent Document 1 was not effective as an iron-containing composition for fertilizer because it was prone to fix heavy metals in soil or water due to the accumulation of bases, causing soil or water pollution, or to dissolve into groundwater in soil, causing water pollution. ２＋ In order to dissolve the nitrate, a large amount of the additive must be added, which results in an increase in the cost of modification.

[0011] On the other hand, in the water environment conservation material of Patent Document 2, the eluted divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋) is highly efficiently taken up by marine plants, but the eluted ferrous ions (Fe ２＋ ) is oxidized by oxygen in the water and becomes ferric ions (Fe) which are inefficiently absorbed. ３＋ ) and transition to granular iron (Fe ２ (OH) ３ ) and are prone to settling, making it difficult for marine plants to efficiently ingest them.

[0012] In addition to ferrous oxide, steelmaking slag contains at least one type of complex oxide (CaAl2O3, FeAL2O 4, MgAl ２ O ４ , CaFeSiO ６ , MgFeSiO6, CaSiO ５ , MgSi ２ O ３ , FeAlO4, CaFe2O4, CaFeO2, MgFeO2), when dissolved in water, it can alkalize the water to pH 8 or higher (the average pH of seawater is 8.1), thereby reducing the amount of ferrous ions (Fe) eluted from steelmaking slag. ２＋ ) is oxidized to iron(III) ions (Fe ３＋ ) is effective in reducing the transition to

[0013] However, iron oxide (FeO) in steelmaking slag is itself crystalline and has low solubility in water. ２＋ In order to dissolve these compounds, a large amount of water must be added, which results in an increase in the cost of water treatment.

[0014] Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-277183 Japanese Patent No. 6604017

[0015] In Patent Document 1, the eluted divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) state, and it is difficult to maintain it, and the uptake rate of animals and plants is poor due to oxidation. ３＋ ) is easily transitionable.

[0016] In addition, the accumulation of the contained bases can fix heavy metals in the soil or water, causing soil or water pollution, or in the case of soil, they can easily leach into groundwater and cause water pollution.

[0017] Furthermore, sufficient divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) requires a large amount of input, which increases the cost of improving the soil and water bodies.

[0018] In Patent Document 2, the eluted divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) is oxidized by oxygen in the water to form ferric ions (Fe ３＋ ) and transition to granular iron (Fe ２ (OH) ３ ) and settle, making it difficult for marine plants to efficiently ingest them.

[0019] In addition, since the iron oxide (FeO) contained in steelmaking slag is crystalline, it has low solubility in water and does not contain sufficient divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ The problem is that in order to dissolve the nitrate, a large amount of the nitrate must be added, which increases the cost of modification.

[0020] The most important feature of the present invention is the use of amorphous, alkaline, granulated or fragmented slag containing iron oxide (FeO) and at least one of calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) as a supplement for iron, which is essential for the growth of plants and animals.

[0021] The present invention is directed to the elution of divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) is iron trivalent ion (Fe ３＋ ) to reduce the transition to divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ To provide an iron supplement for growth that can maintain iron concentration.

[0022] Provided is an iron supplement for plant growth that can prevent soil and water areas from being polluted with heavy metals due to the accumulation of bases.

[0023] It has high solubility in water and is a divalent iron ion (Fe ２＋ To provide an iron supplement for growth that can maintain iron concentration.

[0024] To provide an iron supplement for plant growth that can reduce the amount of input when improving soil or water areas, thereby reducing the improvement cost.

[0025] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a manufacturing process of the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a case 1 in which the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention is applied. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a case 4 in which the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention is applied.

[0026] In its best form, slag containing iron oxide (FeO) and at least one of calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is amorphous and alkaline and either granulated or fragmented, is used as a supplement to the iron content essential for the growth of plants and animals.

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following examples. [Iron Supplement for Plant Growth] The iron supplement for plant growth of the present invention is mostly amorphous slag containing iron oxide (FeO), calcium oxide (quicklime, CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), silicon dioxide (silica, SiO2), etc., with each composition containing 20-50% iron oxide (FeO), 20-40% calcium oxide (CaO), 3-10% magnesium oxide (MgO), and 10-20% silicon dioxide (silica, SiO2). A preferred example of the present invention is composed of 29% FeO, 23% CaO, 5% MgO, and 18% SiO2.

[0028] The slag with the above composition is mostly amorphous and has a higher solubility in water than crystalline FeO. When dissolved in water, the iron ions released are mainly trivalent ferric ions (Fe 3+ ) compared to iron dioxide ions (Fe 2+ ) is characterized by a high proportion of

[0029] In addition, when the iron oxide (FeO) in the slag with the above composition is dissolved in water, it becomes alkaline at pH 8 or higher due to the calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) contained in the slag, and becomes iron dioxide ions (Fe2+ ) is iron(III) ion (Fe 3+ ) transition.

[0030] The slag having the above composition is produced as an iron supplement for growth by forming granules in a slag air-crushing device 1. The size of the iron supplement for growth produced by the slag air-crushing device 1 varies depending on the pressure of the carrier gas and the blowing conditions described below, and the size (particle size) is not particularly limited, but a preferred example is a particle size of approximately 10 mm at maximum. If the slag is produced with a particle size larger than the preferred example, the particle size can be adjusted by crushing it in a crushing device.

[0031] In the above explanation, it is desirable that the size of the iron supplement for growth be approximately 10 mm at most, but the size of the iron supplement for growth is appropriately determined depending on the intended use. That is, if the size of the iron supplement for growth is large, the solubility in water becomes poor and it becomes difficult for animals and plants to ingest it in a short period of time, but it is possible to provide low concentrations of iron dioxide ions (Fe ) for a long period of time. 2+ On the other hand, if the size of the iron supplement for growth is small, the dissolution rate in water will be high and a high concentration of iron dioxide ions (Fe 2+ ) can be replenished. Therefore, iron dioxide ions (Fe 2+ ) may be appropriately determined within the above range depending on the condition (iron concentration) of the soil or water area to which the iron is to be replenished.

[0032] The iron supplement for growth can increase its solubility in water by reducing the particle size, and as a result, the amount of ferrous iron ions (Fe ２＋ It is known that the iron concentration can be increased by using the slag air crusher 1. Therefore, in the case of an iron supplement for plant growth that has been produced to a predetermined particle size by the slag air crusher 1, the particle size may be further pulverized to, for example, about 0.007 mm by a crusher.

[0033]

[0034] Table 1 shows the solubility of iron oxide (FeO) in plant growth iron supplements with different crystallinity and particle size when added to citric acid water (2%) and stirred for 1 hour to dissolve, with the amount of iron (Fe) taken as 100.

[0035] When comparing crystalline and amorphous iron oxide (FeO) with the same particle size, amorphous iron oxide has a 20-fold higher water solubility rate than crystalline iron oxide. Furthermore, amorphous iron oxide with a particle size of 0.007 mm has a 5-fold higher water solubility rate than amorphous iron oxide with a maximum particle size of 10 mm. This indicates that iron supplements for plant growth with a particle size of 0.007 mm can be consumed in one-fifth the amount of iron supplements for plant growth with a maximum particle size of 10 mm, thereby reducing the cost of amendment.

[0036] However, although the solubility in water increases by reducing the particle size of the iron supplement for plant growth, it dissolves in water in a short time (short period), so if the soil and water area to be treated needs to be treated over a long period of time, the amount of the supplement needs to be increased, which may increase the treatment costs. Therefore, the particle size of the iron supplement for plant growth needs to be determined according to the iron deficiency level of the soil and water area to be treated and the progress of the treatment.

[0037] [Method for producing iron supplement for plant growth] The iron supplement for plant growth having the above composition is produced by an oxidized slag air-crushing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

[0038] Molten slag is stored in the slag ladle 3 shown in Figure 1. The type of slag is not limited, and may be, for example, blast furnace slag, steelmaking slag, electric furnace slag, or any other oxidized slag generated from a smelting furnace or refining furnace. Electric furnace oxidized slag containing a large amount of iron oxide (FeO) is preferable.

[0039] The oxidized slag discharged from an electric furnace contains iron oxide (FeO), which is generated by the oxygen blown into the slag during melting, as well as magnesium oxide (MgO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and calcium oxide (CaO), which is added for refining purposes.

[0040] A spray nozzle 5 is arranged near the slag ladle 3, and the spray nozzle 3 sprays carrier gas onto the molten oxidized slag flowing down from the slag ladle 3, blowing the molten oxidized slag away and granulating it.

[0041] There is no limitation on the type of carrier gas, and it may be, for example, air (compressed air), nitrogen, oxygen, etc. The carrier gas is adjusted and controlled so that it is sprayed at a pressure corresponding to the required particle size of the iron growth supplement.

[0042] In other words, when producing a relatively large-diameter iron supply agent for growth, the pressure of the carrier gas is set to a relatively low pressure within a range that allows the oxidized slag to be blown away, and conversely, when producing a relatively small-diameter iron supply agent for growth, the pressure of the carrier gas is set to a high pressure, making it possible to adjust the particle size of the iron supply agent for growth by the pressure of the carrier gas.

[0043] In addition, the carrier gas can be mixed with the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention, and when blowing away the oxidized slag, the iron supplement for growth can be collided with the molten oxidized slag that flows down, and the oxidized slag that is blown away can be refined by the collision energy.

[0044] A shield 7 is provided in the area where the molten oxidizing slag is blown away by the carrier gas, and a plurality of (numerous) jet quenching members 9 are provided in the upper part of the shield 7 so as to cover the area where the oxidizing slag is blown away.

[0045] Each jet quenching element 9 jets water or mist (preferably cooling water or cooling mist) onto the molten oxidized slag being blown away within the shield 7 to rapidly cool it, producing a granular iron supplement for growth.

[0046] The molten oxidized slag is quenched by water sprayed from the spray quenching element 9, and is granulated to an appropriate size (particle size), preferably up to about 10 mm. Most of the granules solidify in an amorphous state, and fall under their own weight into the stockyard 11 where they are accumulated.

[0047] The oxidized slag that has fallen and accumulated in the stockyard 11 may be provided as an iron supplement for growth in a mixed state of different particle sizes, or may be provided in a form in which the iron supplement for growth is sorted into predetermined particle sizes using a sieving device (not shown) consisting of meshes for each desired particle size.

[0048] The size (particle size) of the iron supplement for growth produced by air crushing is not particularly limited, and it is produced in a form where large and small particles are mixed. However, if the particle size is excessively large, the iron ions (Fe ２＋ If the particle size of the iron supplement for growth thus produced is excessively large, it may be crushed by a crushing device to the above-mentioned maximum particle size of about 10 mm.

[0049] In addition, the iron supplement for growth produced to the above particle size is further atomized to micron or nano units by a crushing device to increase the solubility in water, and the eluted divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ The oxidized slags rapidly cooled as described above and having different particle sizes may be crushed to a particle size of, for example, 0.007 mm using a conventionally known crushing device such as a jaw crusher or a rotary impact crusher, and the crushed oxidized slag may be used as a fine particle iron supplement for growth.

[0050] [Case 1] The iron supplement for growth shown in Figure 2 is electric furnace oxidized slag, and contains 29% iron oxide (FeO), 23% calcium oxide (CaO), 5% magnesium oxide (MgO), and 5% silicon dioxide (SiO ２ ): 18%, with particle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0051] In contrast to the "control group" in which the iron growth supplement according to the present invention was not mixed into the soil, the "product of the present invention" was mixed with 5 g of the iron growth supplement per liter of soil, and six "molokheiya" plants were grown in a 10-liter planter for 30 days, and the growth conditions are shown.

[0052] In the cultivation example in soil mixed with the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention, higher indices were shown in all items compared to the "control group," and a high concentration of divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋) was replenished over a long period of time.

[0053] [Case 2] Figure 3 shows the growth status of three "red cabbage" plants grown in No. 8 pots for 19 days after mixing 5 g of the same iron supplement for growth as in Case 1 with 1 liter of soil.

[0054] In the cultivation example in soil mixed with the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention, higher indices were shown in all items compared to the "control group," and a high concentration of divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) was replenished over a long period of time. [Case 3] Figure 4 shows the growth status of six "Italian parsley" plants grown in a 10-liter planter for 22 days, with 5 g of the same iron supplement for growth as in Case 1 mixed with 1 liter of soil.

[0055] In the cultivation example in soil mixed with the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention, higher indices were shown in all items compared to the "control group," and a high concentration of divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) was replenished over a long period of time.

[0056] [Case 4] The iron supplement for growth shown in Figure 5 has the same composition as the iron supplement for growth used in Cases 1-3. 1 g of iron supplement for growth with a particle size of 0.007 mm and 5 g of iron supplement for growth with a particle size of 0.5 to 2 mm were mixed into the soil at the rate of 1 liter per soil liter, and the growth status of five "Komatsuna" plants was cultivated in a 10-liter planter for 18 days.

[0057] In the cultivation examples in each soil mixed with the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention, higher indices were shown in all items compared to the "control group," and high concentrations of divalent iron ions (Fe ２＋ ) was replenished over a long period of time.

[0058] [Discussion] From the above Examples 1-4, the iron supplement for growth according to the present invention has a high solubility in water and contains iron dioxide ions (Fe ) that are highly efficient for uptake by plants. 2+ ) was able to be replenished.

[0059] In addition, because the iron supplement for growth is alkaline, iron dioxide ions (Fe 2+ ) is iron(III) ion (Fe 3+ ) and inhibits the transition to iron dioxide ions (Fe 2+ ) was able to be supplied stably over a long period of time.

[0060] The above explanation has been given in relation to terrestrial plants, but for marine plants such as algae, the iron growth supplement of the present invention can be applied by attaching it to, for example, a seaweed reef block or storing it in a bag (non-woven fabric) that can be attached to a rope or the like, so that it can be dissolved into the water.

[0061] In the above explanation, molten slag flowing down from a slag ladle is blown away by a carrier gas and rapidly cooled with water or mist sprayed from a spray quenching element, producing oxidized slag that is mostly amorphous and granulated. However, the molten slag stored in a slag ladle may also be allowed to flow down onto a cooling table or cooling roll (rolling roll) cooled by a built-in water pipe or refrigerant pipe, if necessary, and formed into a flat or block shape, while water or mist is sprayed from a spray quenching element to produce oxidized slag that is rapidly cooled.

[0062] In this case, the oxidized slag is largely amorphized by rapid cooling, but cannot be granulated. Therefore, if the oxidized slag is produced in the form of a plate or block, it can be crushed to the desired size (maximum 10 mm) using the crushing device described above to produce fragmented iron supplements for plant growth.

[0063] In the above explanation, the oxidized slag is blown away and rapidly cooled by the oxidized slag air-crushing device 1, and granulated to a maximum size of approximately 10 mm to produce an iron supplement for growth. However, the oxidized slag is air-crushed and rapidly cooled by the oxidized slag air-crushing device, and directly produced to a maximum size of approximately 10 mm. However, a roundabout production method may also be used, in which oxidized slag is produced at a smaller size and then crushed to the above size by a crushing device.

Claims

1. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth, characterized in that it uses slag, which contains iron oxide (FeO) and at least one of calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), and is amorphous and alkaline, and in either a granulated or fragmented form, as an iron supplement, which is essential for the growth of plants and animals.

2. In claim 1, the slag is an iron supplement for plant and animal growth, the main composition of which is iron oxide (FeO): 20-50%, calcium oxide (CaO): 20-40%, magnesium oxide (MgO): 3-10%, and silicon dioxide (SiO2): 10-20%.

3. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slag is either granulated or fragmented to a maximum size of 10 mm.

4. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slag is electric furnace oxidizing slag.

5. In claim 3, the slag produced by either granulation or fragmentation is crushed into fine particles to provide an iron supplement for plant and animal growth.

6. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 5, in which molten slag is blown off and granulated by a carrier gas while being rapidly cooled by cooling water jetted from a jet quenching member.

7. An iron supplement for the growth of animals and plants according to claim 6, in which the carrier gas pressure is variable in accordance with the size of the iron supplement for the growth of animals and plants to be produced.

8. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 5, which is obtained by rapidly cooling molten slag in the form of either a plate or a block, and then fragmenting it.

9. An iron supplement for plant and animal growth according to any of claims 6 and 8, wherein the granulated and fragmented slag is crushed to a predetermined size.

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