Table of Contents

Acknowledgement.................................................................................................................................2
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Location.................................................................................................................................................3
Factory Area (Acre)................................................................................................................................4
Products Name......................................................................................................................................4
TSP (Triple Super Phosphate)................................................................................................................4
Water Treatment Plant..........................................................................................................................5
Sulfuric Acid Plant:.................................................................................................................................7
Phosphoric Acid Plant...........................................................................................................................8
TSP Plant................................................................................................................................................9
SSP Plant................................................................................................................................................9
Gypsum...............................................................................................................................................10
Mixed Fertilizer (NPKS)........................................................................................................................10
WATER TREATMENT PLANT.................................................................................................................11
Demineralization.................................................................................................................................12
SA- PLANT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13

SA-2 PLANT..........................................................................................................................................15
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT..........................................................................................................17
Future of TSP Industry.........................................................................................................................20
Challenges and Prospect of Fertilizer Uses in Bangladesh...................................................................22
Conclusion and Recommendation.......................................................................................................22
Acknowledgement:
First and foremost, I would like to praise and thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the
strength and because of His blessing I finally managed to accomplish my Field Work and
Industrial Tour on 17th October, 2023 at TSP Complex Limited.

I whole heartedly express our sincere gratitude to the chairman of our second year
examination committee Dr. Md. Kamrul Hossain who guided us for the completion of the
second year Field Work and Industrial Tour. We are also thankful to all the beloved teachers
who joined us in this tour. They were there to help us in every step of the way and their
guidance is what helped us to complete this tour successfully. We also wish to express our
gratitude to the officials and other stuff members of TSP Complex Limited who rendered their
help during the period of our field work. Last but not the least we would like to express our
thankfulness to our department for giving us such an opportunity to conduct this Field Work
and Industrial Tour through which we learned a lot of things.

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Introduction:

Triple super phosphate complex limited is a public sector enterprise registered as a pricate
limited co situated at Patenga, Chittagong having its registered office. It is under the
administrative control of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC).

TSP Complex was established with the objective of producing TSP Fertilizer. According two
units TSP-1 and TSP-2 were set up with installed capacity of 1, 52, 000 MT (TSP-1: 32,000
MT and TSP-2: 1, 20, 000 MT respectively). Among the units TSP-2 was commissioned
earlier. TSP-1 unit went into commercial production in April 1977 and TSP-2 in September,
1974.

TSP Complex is the only Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory of the country. Initially the factory
started with the production of TSP. Later since 1990 manufacturing of SSP Fertilizer was
started and has already established itself as a major fertilizer of the country. On account of
technical problem in TSP-1 Unit, the Phosphoric Acid plant was abandoned and closed. Due
to increasing demand of SSP Fertilizer in the country, the facilities of TSP-1 were then
converted to produce SSP. In TSP-2unit necessary modification was carried out to produce
both TSP and SSP. The highest production of Phosphatic Fertilizer in 2004-2005 was 216379
MT.

Location:

TSP Complex Limited is located on the bank of the Karnaphuli at Patenga which is about 4
km from Chittagong airport and 12 km to the south of Chittagong City. This location is in
Patenga Industrial Area having communication facilities by rail, road and river.

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Factory Area (Acre):

1. Plant site: 60
2. Housing Area: 15.82
3. Jetty and adjoining area: 10.72
4. Total area: 86.54

Products Name:

a) Main Product:

1. 1.Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Fertilizer

2. 2.Single Super Phosphate (SSP) Fertilizer
3. 3.Mixed Fertilizer (NPKS-Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur)

b) Intermediate Product:

1. 1.Sulfuric acid and

2. Phosphoric acid

c) By Product: Gypsum

Raw materials:

1. 1.Rock Phosphate
2. 2.Rock Sulphur
3. 3.Phosphoric Acid

TSP (Triple Super Phosphate):

TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) represented as 0-46-0, is normally applied where plants are
grown in soils with low or average levels of phosphorus. Its importance can be measured by
the fact that in absence or it, the root development is weak, growth is stunted, productivity
drops, the leaves or the edges of the leaves turn purple and in plants like tobacco and cotton,
the leaves turn an abnormal color of dark green; potato tubers develop brown spots etc.
Because it is a fertilizer with slightly acidic composition, its effect is limited in neutral or
alkali soils. Because the phosphorus in its composition dissolved easily in water, it shows its
effects rapidly.

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TSP is used as a base fertilizer. If it’s applied too early, the phosphorus in it combines with
the lime and other elements in the soil and loses its effectiveness. If it is applied after the
planting or seeding, it remains on the surface and has little effect. For these reasons, it should
be applied either during or immediately after planting, seeding for maximum effect.

Water Treatment Plant:

Coagulation, which destabilizes the colloids to

give rise to a precipitate.

Flocculation, which increases the volume and

cohesion of the floc formed by coagulation.

Setting, which is intended to permit particles to settle

down.

Cationic exchangers, which separate the cations present in the water.

Anionic exchanger, which seperate the anions present in the water.

Storage tank.

Karnafuly river water is used by treatment.

Reaction: Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O = 2Al(OH)3 +3H2SO4 H2SO4 + 2NaOH = Na2SO4 + 2H2O.

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 Figure: Water Treatment Plant

Fig: Water Treatment Packaging Plant

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1. Sulfuric Acid Plant:
Raw materials for sulfuric acid production:

1. Rock Sulfur

2. Air (O2)

3. Deme Water (H2O)

Sulfuric acid required for manufacture of phosphoric acid is produced by Monsanto Contact
Process in both the units.

In this process, rock sulfur is melted in a melter and burnt in a furnace in presence of dried air
where sulfur is oxidized to sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas. This gas is then converted into sulfur
trioxide (SO3) gas in a converter in presence of catalyst, V2O5 under optimum conditions.
SO3 gas is then absorbed in 98.5% H2SO4 in an Absorbing Tower. Strength of the absorbing
acid is thereby raised which in turn is diluted by adding demineralized water to maintain the
desired strength. The quantity of acid an Absorbing Tower is thus continuously increased and
the increased portion is sent to the storage tanks as 98.5% H2SO4.

Reaction:

S + O2 = SO2

SO2 + ½ O2 = SO3

SO3 + H2O = H2SO4

Uses:

Sulfuric acid is an intermediate product. It is mainly used for manufacturing SSP and for
production of Phosphoric Acid, required for manufacturing TSP, Sulfuric acid is an essential
item for all kinds of chemical factory small or big in size. About 5000-6000 MT Sulfuric acid
per year is sold to the Industrial Organization of the country. This Sulfuric acid plays an
important role towards country’s industrial development.

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2. Phosphoric Acid Plant:

Raw materials for Phosphoric acid production:

1. Higher grade rock phosphate

2. Sulfuric acid

Phosphoric Acid required for production of TSP is manufactured by Hemihydrate-Dihydrate

process.

In this process, rock phosphate ground to the fineness of 70% passing through 200 Tyler
mesh is mixed thoroughly with Sulfuric Acid (70%) and dilute Phosphoric Acid (19-21%) in
a tank to acidulate. The reacted slurry is passed into a series of tanks successively to effect
decomposition of rock, crystallization of Gypsum and completion of reaction. Slurry in each
reacting vessel is constantly agitated with agitators. Temperature and solid liquid ratio and
acid concentration are kept at standard levels designed for the process. From the last reacting
vessel, the slurry is pumped into a Vacuum Filter to separate the acid from the Gypsum. The
first filtrate is the product acid of 30% P2O5. The residue is the filter cake (Gypsum) which is
sent to Gypsum Yard after final washing with hot water. This residue is the by-product
Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O).

Reaction:

Ca3(PO4)2 + 3H2SO4 + 6H2O = 2H3PO4 + 3CaSO4.2H2O

The product acid of 30% P2O5 is then concentrated to 50% P2O5 acid in a concentrator
(Calendria) by heating the material with steam under forced vacuum circulation system as
50% P2O5 acid is required to manufacture TSP of 46% P2O5.

Use & Application:

It is an intermediate product and used for manufacture of TSP. Entire quantity of phosphoric
acid produced, is used in the process.

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3. TSP Plant:

Raw materials for TSP plant:

1. Low grade rock phosphate

2. Phosphoric acid

Triple Super Phosphate is manufactured by decomposition of rock phosphate ground to the

fineness of 80% pass through 200 Tyler mesh in an air swept Ball Mill, with phosphoric acid
(50%) P2O5 in a Reaction Den under standard conditions of temperature and flow are. The
Den product is known as Green TSP. Green TSP is fed in a Granulator through conveying
system, where granules are formed through the principle of agglomeration with steam and
process water. Granular TSP is then dried with hot air 12 generated by combustion of natural
gas and then bagged to get finished product of granular TSP.

Reaction:

Ca3(PO4)2 + 4H3PO4 + 3H2O = 3CaH4(PO4)2 .H2O

Uses:

TSP is used as a cleaning agent, builder, lubricant, food additive, stain remover, and
degreaser.

4. SSP Plant:

Raw materials for SSP plant:

1. Low grade rock phosphate

2. Sulfuric acid

SSP is manufactured by acidulating finely ground phosphate rock with 70-75% sulfuric acid
in Reaction Den under standard conditions of temperature and flow rate. The outlet Den
product known as Green SSP is kept in a curing house for about three weeks for completion
of the reactions. The cured SSP is then dried by natural air and bagged to get finished product
of powder SSP. Production of SSP in powder form started since 1988 in Unit No. 1. But with
The rising trend of use of SSP in agriculture, arrangement was made to Produce SSP through
Unit No. 2 also.

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Reaction:

Ca3(PO4)2 + 2H2SO4 + 5H2O = 2CaSO4.2H2O + CaH4(PO4)2.H2O

Use & Application:

Single Super Phosphate commonly known as SSP contains phosphorous, Sulfur, and calcium
nutrients and as such it is called mixed fertilizer.

Sulfur has been established as the fourth primary plant nutrient and is necessary for all kinds
of crops. It is also proved that without correction Sulfur deficiency of the land, the remaining
three nutrients (NPK) can only be utilizer by the plants to a limited extent and hence the
product quantity but also improves the product quality in helping to add more vitamin and
protein value. To provide both phosphorous and sulfur nutrients to the lands, use of SSP is
rapidly increasing. As 13 per Govt/s instruction SSP is produced in powder form.

5. Gypsum:

Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) a by-product of Phosphoric acid manufacturing process has use as a

supplementary fertilizer for soil treatment. It is generally used in sulfur deficient areas.

Use & Application:

Gypsum is obtained as a by product during phosphoric acid manufacturing. For a long time,
use of gypsum except in cement factories as retarder was not known. Ultimately with the help
of BARC this Sulfur enriched gypsum has been established as a fertilizer. About 70-80% of
the country’s soils are deficient in Sulfur which causes significant yield reduction. As such
gypsum is being used at large quantities in Bangladesh compensate the deficiencies of Sulfur
specially in the northern districts.

This gypsum contains 18% Sulfur and 30% calcium, So, for 20 kg Sulfur for a land of one
hectare 112 kg gypsum is to be applied.

6. Mixed Fertilizer (NPKS):

From the year 2002, TSPC is experimentally producing one grade of mixed fertilizer for
paddy grade as per recommendation of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).
Marketing of this fertilizer has already been started for use at farmer’s end. We are also
working for production of NPKS suitable for tea production. This fertilizer will increase the

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fertility of land and also production. The basic raw materials are TSP, SSP, Ammonium
Sulfate (AS), Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP).

WATER TREATMENT PLANT:

1. Aim of the plant:

This plant has been planned to supply process water to the chemical complex of Chittagong
(Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation).

2. Characteristics of Raw Water:

The water to be treated is river water. Its main characteristics are as follows:

Physical-Chemical analysis:

• Turbidity- 1500kaolin

• pH – 7.4 • Total hardness (ppm CaCO3) – 128.41

• Calcium hardness (ppm CaCO3) – 38.52

• Magnesium hardness (ppm CaCO3) – 89.89

• Chloride (ppm CaCO3) – 39.18 • Iron – 0.25 mg/l

• Silica – 40 mg/l

• Nitrate – none

3. Treatment Principle:

Pretreatment:

a) Coagulation

b) Flocculation

c) Setting

Water contains very fine, colloidal or pseudo colloidal suspended soils which must be
gathered into a bulky and heavy floc to allow settling and help retention in the filters.

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The interfaces of colloids are electrically charged, which prevents nearby particles from
coming close together.

The action takes place in three steps:

• Coagulation, which destabilizes the colloids to give rise to a precipitate.

• Flocculation, which is intended to increase the volume and cohesion of the floc formed by
coagulation.

• Settling, which is intended to permit particles to settle out.

Demineralization:

Demineralization is designed to remove dissolved salts from the raw water. These salts are
essentially bicarbonates, sulphates, chlorides and silica.

Two types of ion exchangers are available:

i. Cation exchanger

ii. Anion exchanger

SULPHURIC ACID PLANTS:

(SA-1 & SA-2)

There are two sulfuric plants namely SA-1 (Capacity: 100 NT/Day) and SA-2 (Capacity: 400
MT/Day). In both the plants, sulfuric acid is Manufactured by the Monsa to designed single
contact single absorption Process with Rock sulfur imported at 99.5% (Min) purity. SA-1 was
commissioned in 1967 and SA-2 in 1974.

The manufacturing process of sulfuric acid consists of the following Principle steps:

1. Melting of sulfur

2. Production of sulfur dioxide (SO2)

3. Conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide (SO3)

4. Cooling of SO3 gas absorption of SO3 in water to produce 98.5% Sulfuric acid.

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SA-1 Plant
PROCESS OUTLINE:

1. MELTING OF SULFUR:

Rock sulfur is charged into the charging chamber of a melter and melted by steam coils
installed in it. Steam is supplied to the steam coil to maintain the temperature at 132-1350 C.
The molten to the flows out to the settling chamber of the melter where the heavy impurities
settle at the bottom and the light impurities rises on the upper layer as scum. The charging
chamber and the settling chamber are provided with agitators to make a satisfactory contact
between sulfur and steam coil. The molten sulfur from the settling chamber is pumped to the
pumping chamber of the melter through aa pre-coated sulfur filter which separates the
impurities present in molten sulfur.

2. PRODUCTION OF SULFUR DIOXIDE:

The clear molten sulfur from the pumping chamber of the molten is pumped through the
sulfur burners into a sulfur which as preheated to a temperature of about 8000C by the
combustion of natural gas. In the sulfur furnace, sulfur starts to burn with oxygen from dried
air that has passed through the Drying Tower and produces sulfur dioxide as per following
reaction:

S + O2 = SO2

A steady supply of dry air is made available to the burner. Atmospheric air is sucked and
pressurized by Blower, passed through Drying Tower to eliminate moisture and forced into
the burner. The burning of sulfur evolves a large amount of heat which rises the temperature
of the burner gas at around 10000C where strength of 2% SO2 is maintained. The exit
temperature of the furnace should never be allowed to exceed 1025oC in order to ensure long
life of brick lining. The hot combustion gas (i.e.SO2) coming out of the sulfur furnace at
around 1000oC is cooled down to a temperature of 420-4300C suitable for conversation
reaction in the converter, by passing through state host boiler waste heat boiler generates
steam which is mainly used in the boiler melter and phosphoric acid plant. From the waste
heat boiler, the gases (SO2 + O2 + others) pass to a hot gas filter where impurities like ash,
dust, etc. are filtered out by graded layers of crushed bricks. This protects the catalyst of the
converter from contamination and prevents buildup of a pressure across the catalyst beds of
the converter.

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3. CONVERSION OF SULFUR DIOXIDE TO SULFUR TRIOXIDE:

The purified SO2 gas leaving the hot gas filter is passed into converter containing V2O5
catalyst. 4 (four) beds of catalysts are placed inside the converter at different positions. SO2
gas is allowed to pass through each bed of the converter and optimum conditions (of
temperature/pressure/ flow rate/air supply) are maintained to favor the conversion of SO2 to
SO3 in the converter. As conversion of SO2 to SO3 is exothermic reaction, temperature rises
in each bed and is controlled by supplying dry air in the 1 st bed and 2nd bed and by
circulating the gases of the 3rd bed through a air cooled heat exchanger.

The reaction that takes place in the converter in presence of catalyst is Represented below:

SO2 + ½ O2 = SO3

4. COOLING OF SO3 AND ABSORPTION OF SO3 IN WATER TO PRODUCE

SULFURIC ACID:

After converter, the temperature of SO3 gas is around 4300C, heat of which is made available
for the following purpose in order to get the SO3 gas at a suitable temperature for absorption
in 98.5% sulfuric acid.

a) To preheat a part of the dried air leaving the Drying Tower required for combustion of
molten sulfur in the sulfur furnace. This type of equipment is called SO3 cooler and is
installed in SA-1 Plant.

b) To heat the deuterated dematerialized boiler feed water, which has a temperature of 100-
1500C. This type of equipment is called Economizer and is installed in SA-2 plant.

In SA-2, SO3 gas from the converter is cooled to 2300C in the 1st economizer and further
cooled to 1700C in the 2nd economizer (Formerly, 2nd Heat Exchanger using air cooling)
before the SO3 gas is entering the Absorption Tower. The cooled SO3 gas (along with
gaseous components) is passed into Absorbing Tower from the bottom and a stream of
sulfuric acid (98.5% strength) is circulated from top and mixed counter currently to effect
absorption of SO3, 18 strength of absorber acid is thereby raised which in turn is diluted by
adding water to maintain the desired strength of 98.5%. The quantity of acid in Absorbing
Tower is thus, continuously increased portion is cooled by passing through irrigation cooler
and finally sent to storage. The unabsorbed gas leaving the Absorbing Tower is discharged to
atmosphere.

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The reaction that takes place in the Absorbing Tower is represented below:

SO3 + H2O = H2SO4

SA-2 PLANT
PROCESS OUTLINE:

a) Sulfur melter:

Best results will usually be obtained by maintain the molten sulfur in the melter at
approximately 132-1350C. Higher temperature entering the furnace are sometimes beneficial,
but never in excess of approximately 1490C. Materially higher of lower temperatures than
those stated should not be used because of the increased viscosity of molten sulfur. It is
necessary to keep the level of molten sulfur at normal level. Sulfur itself is no corrosive. Any
corrosive properties result form contaminants, and most corrosion results from contaminants,
and most corrosion results from sulfurous and sulfuric acid generated by the reaction of
sulfur, moisture, and air. Most corrosion occurs in liquid-handling equipment’s at sulfurair
interface. On the part of these equipment’s at the interface, some protectors are provided,
then if the liquid level is not kept normally, corrosion occurs in the other part of them having
no protectors.

When it becomes necessary to clean sulfur pit, it should first be pumped as low as possible.
In order to do this, the pump should be taken out of the melter, for the extension of the inlet
piping makes it possible for the pump to draw form a greater depth than would otherwise be
the case. After removing as much of the molten sulfur as possible, cleaning may start
immediately by adding the small portion of the water at the corner where the work is to be
started.

It is advantageous to start cleaning before the mixture of sulfur and dirt has become cold, as
the immediate addition of water will often give mixture a much consistency which is readily
shoveled. Water should be added however only at the spot where the man is working. Since
there are two settling sections, this cleaning can be handled for one setting section while the
other is operating.

b) Sulfur Pump:

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The burner feed pump is mounted in the sulfur pit located near the furnace. When installing a
sulfur pump, be sure that it is perfectly plumb and that it turns freely by hand. Piping should
be connected, and held firmly, so that no strains are ever put on the pump.

For further information, any instructions about the pump and pump drive should be
consulted.

The sulfur pump drive is interlocked with the blower driving unit so that whenever the
blower stops, the sulfur pump simultaneously stops. Nevertheless, whenever the blower is
stopped the operator should always make sure at once that the sulfur pump has actually
stopped. If the sulfur pump should remain in operation while the blower is stopped, the
system would soon become filled with sublimed sulfur and much damage may occur to the
sulfur furnace and other equipment.

In order to test a sulfur pump while the blower is stopped, provision has been made so that it
is possible to operate the pump, even though the blower be stopped. Before testing a pump in
this manner, however, the blind flange on the end of the jacketed tee in the discharge piping
nearest this pump should be removed and a pail should be placed under the end of the tee.
The jacketed valves should be turned so that the pump to be tested will deliver sulfur to the
pail instead of the furnace. When starting the pump always be sure that there is at least 3.0
kg/cm2 steam pressure in the jacketed discharged line.

It is very clear by Monsanto’s experience that many troubles with sulfur pumps are due to
misalignment. It is to be emphasized that spare pumps or pumps out of service for repaid
should be properly maintained while in storage or while being handled so that they cannot
become sprung or distorted. All parts must be carefully aligned with one another and also the
pump with the drive.

The usual warning to the operator that plugging is occurring at some point is that the furnace
temperature, as shown on the temperature recorder, gradually decreases. It has been found
that tripping the pump and allowing the sulfur in the discharge line to drain back for a minute
or so, often cures the trouble. This procedure often saves the trouble and expense of removing
a pump for inspection and repair, when actually no repairs are needed.

It should be emphasized that under any conditions sulfur flow should be increased by only
small steps and the operator should make sure of the result of each change on gas strength
before making further adjustment.

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 j
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:

The factory is equipped with a modern laboratory and testing facilities for controlling quality
of raw materials, finished products as well as control of pollution. Continuous research &
development is conducted in its laboratory for the purpose of process improvement and
product diversification including search for new source of Phosphate Rock at lower cost.

1. RS/BMR Executed:

In TSP Complex during 1974-79, the capacity utilization had been very poor, 21 maximum
40%. The main reason for low production had been teething problems, electrical/mechanical
breakdown, power failure and shortage of raw materials. An improvement program under the
name of Fertilizer Industries Rehabilitation Program (FIRP) was taken up and the scheme
was started in July,1980. The scheme envisaged setting up a granulation plant of 1,50,000
MT/year, facilities for use of imported phosphoric acid and replacement and modification in
different sections to improve the operating capacity, setting up of a power generator of 5 MW
capacity. The FIRP was completed in June,1987 at a cost of Tk. 55.62 crore. After
completion of the program, TSPCL’s production capacity was restored at 1,50,000 MT TSP
per year (1,00,000 MT/year by own Phosphoric Acid and 50,000 MT/year by imported
Phosphoric Acid).

2. BMR Project:

Another BMRE program of Tk. 972.43 Lacs undertaken in May, 95 was completed in June,
98 for enhancing production capacity from 1,52,000 MT to 2,00,000 MT (TSP 70,000 MT +
SSP 1,30,000 MT).

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IMPACT:

Advantages:

1. TSP contains 15% calcium (Ca), providing an additional plant nutrient.

2. Over 90% of the total P in TSP is water soluble.

3. It is also desirable for fertilization leguminous crops such as alfalfa or beams where no
additional N fertilizer is needed to supplement biological N fixation.

4. It is one of the cheapest sources of phosphorous available.

5. Its manufacture requires small capital investment and low-skilled manpower.

6. It helps in the growth of the root system.

7. It is highly concentrated straight phosphate fertilizer.

Disadvantages:

Wastes from the industry:

1. Air Emissions:

Fluorides and dust are emitted to the air from grinders and pulverizes during 22 processing of
phosphate rocks and finished product handling. The reactor produces fumes that contain
silicon tetra fluoride and hydrogen fluoride.

2. Solid Wastes:

Phospho-gypsum is the major kind of solid waste produced in phosphate fertilizer plants.
This is produced at an approximate rate of about 5 tons per ton of phosphoric acid produced
and is often disposed of as slurry to storage/settling pond or in form of waste heaps. If the
plants are located near seas, the solid waste is disposed of in the sea water. Phospho-gypsum
contains trace metals, fluorides, radionuclides that generally are carried through from
phosphate rocks. In plants where pyrites ores are used, the solid waste is generally pyrite
residue which contains heavy metals such as zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, mercury and
arsenic.

3. Liquid Effluents:

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Process water is used for transport of waste should be returned to the fertilizer plant after the
solids have settled out. However, in many industries this is not practiced and an effluent is
generated which contain phosphates, fluorides and suspended solids.

4. Environmental impacts:

In early predawn hours when the air is still and moist, phosphate fertilizer factories are often
shrouded in an acidic haze. Temperature inversions from airy bubbles of noxious acidic
fumes forming the acid mist. The lemony taste of sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid leaves
the lips tingling with burning sensation. Nostrils too feel the stringing effect. The floating
minute acid droplets when come in contact with eyes, cause burning and watering in eyes.
Constant inhalation of the noxious smog causes choking and coughing. Uninterrupted
exposure to these pollutants might lead to ailments such as autoimmune disorders, toxic
myopathy, chronic obstructive lung diseases, chronic bronchitis, blood disorders, liver
dysfunctions, polyarthritis, swelling of feet and lower legs, cardiac problems, reactive
depression and memory loss.

Pollution Prevention and Control:

Environmental damage due to the contaminants present in the waste from phosphate
fertilizers industries can be minimized by adopting the following remedical measures.

a. Implementation of cleaner production processes:

Adoption of pollution prevention measures can yield both economic and environmental
benefits. Emission of SO2 level into the atmosphere can be minimized by adopting double
contact, double absorption process.

b. Treatment technologies:

Scrubbers are used to remove fluorides and acid from air emissions. Treatment of effluents
from scrubbers to precipitate fluoride, phosphorous and heavy materials can significantly
reduce chances of environmental contamination.

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Future of TSP Industry:

Fertilizer Demand, Production, and Storage Capacity in Bangladesh:

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh has a year demand of approximately 5

million tons of fertilizer, where 2.7 million tons are urea and the rest are non-urea fertilizers.

From the last two decades, fertilizer production in Bangladesh has been rapidly shrinking due
to the poor maintenance, exodus of experienced people, lack of human planning and above all
aging of plants and obsolete technology. (The Daily Star, 2015).

Due to the capacity limitation of existing warehouse, every year around 0.25 million tons
fertilizer is left in the open air, causing huge loss to the state coffer because of wastage and
quality deterioration of a large amount of fertilizer. To minimize this wastage and maintain
the quality of the vital agro-input the govt. 24 of Bangladesh is going to set up 13 buffer
ware-house for fertilizer across the country. (The Daily Sun, 2017).

Fertilizer Consumption in Bangladesh:

Bangladesh’s yearly consumption of fertilizers is extremely large by volume. In Bangladesh,

chemical fertilizers had been used sharply after 1975. Since then, increasing trends of
fertilizers were being observed (Basak, Titumir, & Alam, 2015). With the present demand for
crops, the use of fertilizer has increased to yield more crops. In 2015-16, the actual fertilizer
consumption in Bangladesh was 2.64 million tons.

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Fertilizer Import in Bangladesh:

In Bangladesh, most of the demand of fertilizers is fulfilled by imports. Recently Bangladesh

Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia Basic
Industries Corporation (SABIC) to buy 0.5 million metric tons of urea fertilizer in 2017 (The
Financial Express, 2017). Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) also signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Bangladesh to supply 150
metric tons of Rock Phosphate and 120 metric tons Phosphoric Acid valued $280 million
over a period of 3 years. This will also open the door for concession to supply DAP fertilizer
to Bangladeshi market (The Financial Express, 2017). To meet demand of the potash
fertilizer, the government will import 0.06 million tons of Muriate of Potash (MOP) from
Canada and Russia at Tk. 1080 million in FY17. The Russian authorities will supply 0.03
million tons of MOP for Tk. 545.9 million under a 25 G-2-G deal signed between Russia and
Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC). The cost to import MOP from
Canada will be Tk. 546 million (Dhaka Tribune, 2016).

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Challenges and Prospect of Fertilizer Uses in Bangladesh:

The balanced application of fertilizers is crucial for agricultural production and providing
adequate food to meet up their demand. Imbalanced application of chemical fertilizer is a
barrier to the production system, which is more complicated and more expensive. Besides,
the demand for fertilizers would become significant in near future. Therefore, it is essential to
boost the production of all types of fertilizers both chemical and organic in domestic level.
Soil fertility is declining at an alarming rate in Bangladesh and as well as in the entire world.
Standard soil should have at least 3.5% organic matters but this is between 1-1.7% in most
areas of Bangladesh and in some areas less than 1%. Hence 5.23 mc of the total land area has
a minor level of organic matters than the minimum requirement. On the other hand, the use of
chemical fertilizers is mounting dangerously; in comparison to 1960, it’s seven times more
than 2006. In 1961, the Nitrogen used was 8.6 kg per hectare, but in 2006, it increased to 62.5
kg per hectare (The Monthly Krishi Barta,2011). Organic fertilizers can 26 decrease the
usage of pesticides up to 80 percent and by doing this the total subsidy from fertilizer section
can be saved easily (Basak, Titumir, & Alam, 2015).

Conclusion and Recommendation:

Cropping intensity in our country is very higher and therefore the soil fertility is reducing day
by day. Fertilizers play an essential role in increasing crop yields, although, fertilizer
marketing and distribution system are weakly organized. The crisis is more emphasized due
to the time impressibility of fertilizer application. Balanced fertilization is the key to
successful crop production and safe guarding of soil health. The government of Bangladesh
has to take some civic awareness, promotions, and advocacy to persuade farmers for using
balanced fertilizer dose and organic matter. Above all, public awareness of the impact of
imbalanced fertilization and emphasized using of organic fertilizers on agricultural
production deserves precedence reflection. Establishing organic fertilizer factory at every
Upazila level can meet up the total demands of fertilizer throughout the country.

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