Technological process of zeolite Cu2 production used in treatment of water environment for aquaculture and production of micro fertilizers

The use of zeolite Cu²⁺ can destroy the source of fungal pathogens in water without affecting the health of animals as well as the environment. In agricultural production, zeolite is able to retain soil nutrients around the root of the trees, especially for N and K, which are often lost through watering, contributing to increase the efficiency of fertilizer use, reduce production costs, and increase profits for farmers. Micro copper is also one of the essential nutrients for the chlorophyll formation of plants. A lack of micro copper causes plants to lose the green colour at the tips of the leaves, which may not flower or form fruit. When used, zeolite Cu²⁺ fertilizer releases copper ion directly into the soil and is absorbed gradually by plants.

From January 2015 to December 2016, a group of scientists from the Institute of Applied Materials Science under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology carried out the trial production project VAST.SXTN.02 / 15-16 on “Completing the technological process of zeolite Cu²⁺ production used in treating water environment for aquaculture and production of micro fertilizers”, led by Dr. Lai Thi Kim Dung. In May 2017, during the meeting to check on the project at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the project was evaluated at the excellent level by the checking council.

Zeolite is capable of absorbing heavy metal ions, ammonium, toxic organic compounds. In aquaculture ponds, ammonium is agglomerated as NH₄ or NH₃, which causes pollution. In water, zeolite is capable of exchange cation with NH₄. As a result, the NH₃ concentration in the aquaculture ponds will be reduced. Zeolite is used for improving pond environment in the middle or at the end of the aquaculture season, or periodically used to reduce the amount of arising NH₃.

Zeolite also has the ability to hold nutrients and release them slowly. The zeolite-containing fertilizer slowly releases and controls N, P, K nutrients for more than 70 days for the growth and development of the plant.

From the research results, the project has completed a technological process of producing zeolite NaA from kaolin; a technological process of producing zeolite Cu2 + from zeolite NaA; a technological process of producing zeolite Cu2+ containing products for treating fisheries environment with the capacity of 500 kilograms per batch; a technological process to produce micro zeolite Cu2+ containing fertilizers which stimulate the growth of plants, with a capacity of 1000 kilograms per batch.

Shrimp ponds are treated with zeolite Cu²⁺ containing products

Cabbage garden during the test use of zeolite Cu²⁺ containing micro fertilizers

Working with the coordination unit, the project has deployed a stable production line at the Viet Ao Production Co., Ltd, producing the following products: 18 tons of Zeolite NaA, 5 tons of zeolite Cu ²⁺, 10 tons of zeolite Cu²⁺ containing products used in aquaculture, 10 tons of zeolite Cu²⁺ containing micro fertilizers used for plants.

The project also published the article “Antibacterial activity and removal of total ammonia nitrogen from zeolite-Cu2 + in aquaculture” in the Journal of Chemistry (ISSN: 0866-7174), Vol.53 (4e3), pp. 141-146, 2015. In addition, the project has been registered with the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, application number 1-2016-00686 and has been accepted according to Decision 24646/QD-SHTT dated 20 April 2016 of the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The project has promoted the dominant feature of zeolite and copper salt to create new products that are effective in cleaning the water environment for aquaculture and stimulating the growth of the plant. By making use of the available domestic materials to create high value added products, the project will contribute to improving the productivity of crops and animals, and protecting the environment.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version