Fertilizers-Applications

The molecular spectroscopy technique known as Raman spectroscopy relies on the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light in molecular structures. The molecules' excitation states are altered by the incident laser light, and as a result, the molecules produce light at different wavelengths in relation to the excitation wavelength (called Stokes or Anti-Stokes shifts). Every substance has a unique Raman spectrum. Because of this, the presence and composition of different chemicals can be detected and quantified using Raman scattering.

Raman spectroscopy is ax non-destructive technique, which means that it does not damage or alter the sample in any way. It is also a non-contact technique, which means that it can be used to analyze samples without coming into physical contact with them. This makes Raman spectroscopy an ideal technique for analyzing delicate or sensitive samples.

Fertilizer quality control can face many problems, such as:

• Imperfection in the production process: Fertilizers are made with different chemical components and complex processes, which can lead to imperfections and instability in production. Fertilizers must meet certain specifications regarding their chemical composition, such as the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and non-compliance with these specifications may affect their quality.
• Contaminants: Fertilizers can be contaminated with various substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, etc., which can affect their chemical composition and quality. Contamination can come from a variety of sources such as raw materials, water, the environment and even the production process itself.
• Storage and transport processes: Fertilizers are stored and transported under various conditions, which can affect their quality and chemical composition. High temperatures, humidity, exposure to UV radiation, etc. can cause chemical changes and loss of nutritional value.
• Quality Monitoring: The company must have tools to monitor the quality of fertilizers, such as chemical testing and Raman spectroscopy, to ensure that the chemical composition and nutritional values meet the requirements. Solutions available on the market are currently very expensive, and most SMEs cannot afford them.
• Determination of expiry dates: Fertilizers must be labeled with an expiration date and used before the expiration date. Fertilizers that have exceeded their shelf life may lose their nutritional value or change their chemical composition, affecting their quality.
• All these fertilizer quality control issues are important because the quality of fertilizers has a direct impact on crop yield and food quality. Therefore, fertilizer manufacturers must implement effective quality control systems to ensure that their products comply with the requirements and meet the needs of farmers and consumers.

Our solution responds to the most critical problems of SMEs in the fertilizers production industry:

1. Increases the efficiency of the production process by accelerating and automating the quality control process. Instead of collecting samples and sending them to an external laboratory, the operator continuously monitors the quality of substrates, intermediates, and products through specialized miniature spectrophotometers installed on the line and dedicated to the substances produced on the line.
2. It increases the quality of manufactured products by improving the quality control process. Provides real-time quality control.
3. It reduces production costs and time because it prevents stopping the production line for quality control purposes and reduces the cost of testing the quality of the substance.
4. The system is comprehensive and more cost-effective than competitive solutions - the overriding goal is to improve the quality of products while reducing costs.
   The system does not require specialized personnel to operate. Instead, it is designed to be operated by non-qualified production line employees.

The first case application of our Raman spectrophotometry is to determine the quality of chemicals in fertilizers, i.e., their purity and stability. This technique allows the monitoring of changes in the spectrum of substances, which may indicate the presence of impurities or changes in the chemical structure, which may affect the effectiveness of the fertilizer.

The Raman spectrum is a wave map that shows the intensity of scattered light as a function of frequency or wavelength. Each chemical substance has a unique Raman spectrum pattern that depends on the characteristic vibrations and movements of the atoms and molecules in the sample.

Raman spectrum analysis identifies chemicals in a sample by comparing its spectral pattern with reference data. This technique also allows for determining the chemical structure of the substance, as well as determining its amount in the sample.

Ultimately, Raman spectrophotometry can be used in the fertilizer formulation process to optimize the composition and dosage of fertilizers. This technique allows the determination of the structure and physical properties of the molecules, which makes it possible to adjust the composition and dosage of the fertilizer to specific needs.