Abstract
Sulfur/sodium bentonite fertilizer prills were made by blending between 5 and 40% by weight of a swelling sodium bentonite clay with molten sulfur (S) and chilling droplets of the mixtures in oil. The resulting prills were hard and dust free and thus offered a suitable form for elemental sulfur (S°) transportation and application. The prills were stable at normal room temperature and RH. Prill strength was much reduced by prolonged storage at 80% RH. With 15% or more bentonite the bulk resistivity was sufficiently low that no electrostatic charge build-up was likely and consequently there was little risk of spontaneous combustion.
Prills containing 10% or more bentonite disintegrated when placed in water and both the rate of dispersion and the fineness of the dispersed S° particles increased bentonite content. Bentonite contents of 15–20% appeared to offer the best combination of rapid prill dispersion, fine dispersed S° particle size, and high S° content.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Charleston AG (1983) Production and compatability of dispersible sulphur pellets. N.Z. Fertilizer Manufacturers' Research Association 19th Technical Conference Proceedings, pp 366–76
Cooper WF (1953) The Practical Estimation of Electrostatic Hazards. Br J Appl Phys (Suppl. 2) S71-S77
Dear BS and Spencer K (1982) The effectiveness of several fertilisers in supplying sulphur to temperate pastures. Aust J Exp Agri Anim Husb 22: 412–19
Duncan AA (1983) The application of fertilisers containing elemental sulphur. In Gregg PEH and Syers JK, eds. Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Sulphur in New Zealand Agriculture, pp 176–180. Massey University, N.Z.
Evason W and Owers WR (1983) Production of dispersible sulphur granules. N.Z. Fertiliser Manufacturers' Research Association 19th Technical Conference Proceedings pp 353–65
Hoeft RG and Walsh LM (1975) Effect of carrier, rate and time of application of S on the yield, and S and N content of alfalfa. Agron J 67: 427–30
Jones MB, Martin WE and Ruckman JE (1970) Effectiveness of various sulphur sources applied to annual-type grasslands of California. Proc XI Int Grassl Congr Queensland Australia, pp 373–76
Li P and Caldwell AC (1966) The oxidation of elemental sulphur in soil. Soil Sci Soc Proc 30: 370–72
Ludecke TE (1965) Further aspects of sulphur nutrition of legumes. Proc N.Z. Grassl Assoc 27: 129–38
Matocha JE (1971) Influence of sulphur sources and magnesium on forage yields of coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers) Agron J 63: 493–96
Rhue RD and Kamprath EJ (1973) Leaching losses of sulphur during winter months when applied as gypsum, elemental S or prilled S. Agron J 65: 603–605
Rothbaum HP and Groom PS (1961) Fire hazards in the use of fertilisers containing elemental sulphur. N.Z. J Sci 4: 476–88
Rothbaum HP, Evason W and Owers WR (1983) Development of new sulphur fertilisers. In: Gregg PEH and Syers JK (eds) Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Sulphur in New Zealand Agriculture, pp 139–49. Massey University, N.Z.
Sinclair AG and Enright PD (1983) Effectiveness of elemental sulphur fertilisers. In: Gregg PEH and Syers JK (eds) Proceedings of the Technical Workshop on Sulphur in New Zealand Agriculture, pp 164–75. Massey University, N.Z.
Weir RG, Barkus B and Atkinson WT (1963) The effect of particle size on the availability of brimstone sulphur to white clover. Aust J Exp Agri Anim Husb 3: 314–18
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Boswell, C.C., Owers, W.R., Swanney, B. et al. Sulfur/sodium bentonite mixtures as sulfur fertilizers. 1. The effects of S/Na-bentonite ratios on the rate of dispersion and particle size distribution of elemental sulfur dispersed from laboratory-produced prills. Fertilizer Research 15, 13–31 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049184
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049184