Biological Phosphorus Solubilization from Apatite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for solubilizing phosphorus from apatite minerals in phosphate rocks are either costly and environmentally harmful (chemical treatments) or inefficient at an industrial scale (biological fermentation processes), leading to low yields of available phosphorus for fertilizers.
Innovation Solution
A biological aerobic fermentation process using a mixture of degradable mineral raw materials, including aluminum-calcium phosphate rock, protein concentrate, Posidonia, fresh manure, magnesium sulfate, and phosphate-solubilizing organisms, to solubilize phosphorus efficiently, creating a rich, available phosphorus fertilizer suitable for agricultural and forest soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical treatment is used to solubilize phosphorus from apatite minerals, then phosphorus solubilization efficiency is improved, but economic cost and environmental contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a biological process using phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. The microorganisms produce organic acids and enzymes that biologically decompose apatite minerals to release phosphorus, eliminating the need for strong acids and chemical factories, thus reducing environmental contamination while maintaining solubilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental mechanism from chemical to biological by introducing specific microorganisms (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, or Aspergillus species). These organisms transform the apatite mineral through biological decomposition, producing soluble phosphorus forms through enzymatic action and organic acid secretion, thereby altering the solubilization mechanism from chemical to biological parameters
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biological fermentation processes are used to solubilize phosphorus, then environmental impact is reduced, but productivity and yield of available phosphorus decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific microorganism strains known for high phosphorus solubilization capability. Different microorganisms are chosen based on their specific enzymatic properties and ability to decompose apatite minerals efficiently, ensuring high productivity while maintaining environmental benefits. The process uses controlled microbial populations rather than general fermentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple microorganism species (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Aspergillus) that work synergistically to solubilize phosphorus from apatite minerals. This composite biological system enhances the overall efficiency and yield of available phosphorus compared to single-organism or general fermentation processes
3Productivity
If industrial-level biological fermentation is implemented, then phosphorus solubilization can occur, but facility complexity and investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the apatite mineral itself as the substrate for the biological process. The microorganisms directly decompose the mineral in situ, eliminating the need for complex industrial fermentation reactors and expensive raw materials. The process is self-sustaining, using the mineral's own structure as the reaction medium, thereby reducing facility complexity and investment costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves high efficiency in solubilizing phosphorus, reducing costs and environmental impact, while maintaining optimal conditions for microorganisms to enhance nitrogen fixation and plant growth, resulting in a fertilizer with a high proportion of available phosphorus for slow release to plants.
Implementation Method 1
The method comprises the following steps: i) Obtaining a homogenous mixture from aluminum-calcium phosphate rock powder to which a protein concentrate, posidonia, fresh manure, magnesium sulfate and ferrous sulfate are added as degradable mineral raw materials which are a source of nitrogen, energy and minerals for the phosphate-solubilizing organisms
Implementation Method 2
The microorganisms, as well as the humic substances, are responsible for dissolving the phosphate of the phosphate rock; the former produce organic acids and chelates during decomposition
Implementation Method 3
The positive effect of organic matter on the solubilization of the phosphorus of apatites of phosphate rocks is due to the formation of organic acids which contribute to a pH reduction. The microorganisms, as well as the humic substances, are responsible for dissolving the phosphate of the phosphate rock; the former produce organic acids and chelates during decomposition
Implementation Method 4
the former produce organic acids and chelates during decomposition, which aid in releasing the phosphorus coming from the structure of the apatite mineral of phosphorite
Implementation Method 5
the humic acids complex the calcium of the polyphosphate, aiding in the release of the phosphate in a soluble form
Implementation Method 6
The method of the invention is based on the biological aerobic fermentation process whereby the phosphorus of apatites and of the soil is solubilized
Implementation Method 7
The temperature both during the mixing process and of the mixture itself is maintained below 42°C
Implementation Method 8
The positive effect of organic matter on the solubilization of the phosphorus of apatites of phosphate rocks is due to the formation of organic acids which contribute to a pH reduction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a biological fertilizer, as well as to the biological fertilizer obtained by means of said method. The method allows obtaining a biological fertilizer with phosphorus from the apatite mineral by means of using a mixture of degradable mineral raw materials, a protein concentrate, posidonia, fresh manure, magnesium sulfate and ferrous sulfate as degradable mineral raw materials which are a source of nitrogen, energy and minerals for the phosphate-solubilizing organisms, as well as the phosphate-solubilizing organisms themselves as a seed inoculant, with a high efficiency, on aluminum-calcium phosphate, preferably on the aluminum-calcium rock.