Ammonia Emissions from NPK Fertilizer Production Plants: Emission Characteristics and Emission Factor Estimation

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 31;19(11):6703. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116703.

Abstract

Fertilizers are made from manure, but they are also produced through chemical processes. Fertilizer is an ammonia emission source; it releases ammonia when used. Ammonia is also emitted during the production process. Although many studies related to fertilizer application have been conducted, there are few research cases related to the production process and related emissions are not calculated. In this study, the ammonia emissions from NPK (nitrogen phosphorus Potassium oxide) fertilizer production facilities were checked through actual measurement and related characteristics were analyzed. In addition, emission factors were developed, and the necessity of developing emission factors was also confirmed. As a result of the development of the emission factor, it was found to be 0.001 kgNH3/ton, which is like the range of emission factors in related fields. The NPK ammonia emission factor of this study was found to be higher than the minimum emission factor currently applied in South Korea, and it was judged to be a level that can be used as an emission factor.

Keywords: ammonia emission; emission factor; fertilizer production plant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Ammonia* / analysis
  • Fertilizers*
  • Manure
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitrogen
  • Nitrous Oxide / analysis
  • Soil

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Manure
  • Soil
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ammonia
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Nitrogen

Grants and funding

This work is supported by the Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Korea Environment Corporation.