1.

Introduction

1.1: Overview of the Company

Lokmangal Bio-Tech Pvt. Ltd is an agro based product solution company, established in
2006. It is a distinguished entity within the Lokmangal Group. Well-known for its innovative
work in the field of agriculture is a leading producer, distributer, and exporter of fungicide,
chemical fertilizers, hybrid seeds, and organic pesticides. (image of the company)

DIFFERENT UNITS IN THIS COMPANY

1. Raw material storage house

2. Production unit
 NPK mixture fertilizer (N+P+K) Production unit
 Secondary nutrient mixture fertilizer(Mg+Ca+S) Production unit
3. Micronutrient (Lancer) distribution and packaging unit
4. Quality Control Laboratory

Range of Products

 NPK Granule Mixture Fertilizer

 Water Soluble Fertilizer
 Organic fertilizers
 Bio-fertilizers
 Bio-stimulants
 Growth promoters
(add images of products)

1.2: Objectives and Goals of internship/training

The primary aim of my internship at Lokmangal Bio-tech was to gain practical experience
and a better understanding of bioprocesses, particularly in the field of quality control. This
experience was meant to fill the gap between academic understanding and practical
applications in industrial setting.

One of the objectives was getting to know the operational processes of the company. I wanted
to learn about all the steps involved in the development and manufacturing. Learning various
quality control techniques used in the lab was another very significant aim of mine.
Lastly, efficient reporting and documentation were important goals. For my professional
progress, it was crucial to understand how to accurately and thoroughly report findings and
document quality control methods

1.3: Significance of quality control in the production of fertilizers not sure abt this

2. Production and Quality control methods learned

2.1: Overview of Production of NPK fertilizers

During my internship at Lokmangal Bio-Tech, I had the opportunity to observe the

production process of NPK fertilizer in the company’s plant. NPK fertilizers are a
combination of three primary nutrients essential for plant growth: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus
(P), and Potassium (K).

Raw material used: urea, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate (as nitrogen source);
monoammonium phosphate, calcium magnesium phosphate, triple sup-phosphate (as
phosphate source); potassium chloride, kainite, potassium sulfate, etc. (as potassium source)

Sourced from : ask chatgpt , also ask hoe to reference the facts I got by directly asking the
people at company

Process Flow of NPK Fertilizer Production Line add images of equipment (in italic) from
your phone ( check the tag for the name of the equipment)
Raw Material Batching

The above-mentioned raw materials are assembled. Operators strictly add N, P, K, additives
into the batching system in accordance with the requirements of each raw material quantity.
The raw materials are granular or powdery.

Crushing

When the metered raw material enters the crusher's feed port, the material is crushed by the
crusher to the necessary fineness for granulation. The discharge port allows the crushed
material to enter the belt conveyor, which then moves it to the drum granulator for
granulation.

Granulation

The crushed material is fed into the granulator, which is a rotating drum granulator. With
the aid of the cylinder's rotation, the solid powder that needs to be ground up rises and falls
due to gravity. A specific amount of binder, or soil, is simultaneously added to the granulate,
according on the quantity of raw ingredients. The substance is applied layer by layer to the
granulation nucleus's surface, which thickens and granulates gradually layer by layer. When
the material reaches the necessary granulation and enters the dryer, it progressively forms the
base core under the influence of the aforementioned pressures.

Drying

The drum dryer adopts the method of cylinder edge transmission, flange connection and
direct heat transfer, which is suitable for drying compound fertilizer after granulation.

Cooling

Drum cooler is mainly used for cooling compound fertilizer products after drying. It can
directly cool hot granular fertilizer to near normal temperature.

Screening and grinding of large particles

Screening mainly separates fine powder, finished product and large particulate matter. Firstly,
the sieving machine separates the fine powder from the semi-finished product, and then
separates the large particles. The separated large particles are crushed by a grinder and then
enter the return belt together with the separated fine particles, which are returned to the
granulator for granulation. The finished product is then packed.

Packing

The finished granules are weighed into a 20 or 50 kg bags. The weighed materials enter the
seam section through the conveyor, and the seam work is carried out in the finished product
warehouse add image.

2.2: Quality control techniques and methods learned

intro of QC, its significance in fertilizer industry…

Quality control is a very crucial step of the fertilizer production process. It includes complex
chemical analysis, high-performing technology and strict procedural standards. It ensures that
the product satisfies set industry standards and expectations of the customer.

The quality analysis includes ensuring the key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium, as well as micronutrients are present in right quantities. Variations in these
compositions have a substantial impact on crop yield and quality by decreasing the
effectiveness of the fertilizer. Moreover, quality control also involves monitoring for any
unwanted or potentially harmful substances. This ensures fertilizer’s safety and
environmental impact.

During my internship at Lokmangal Bio-Tech, I had the opportunity to perform various

biotechnological and quality control techniques. This section details the specific techniques I
performed, along with the underlying principles and methodologies.

2.2.1: Methods of analysis of fertilizers

1. Preparation of sample for analysis in the laboratory (principle??)

Procedure

i. Reduce gross sample to quantity sufficient for analysis (not< 250g).

ii. For fertilizer materials and moist fertilizer mixtures, that form a paste on putting
pressure, grind in porcelain pestle and mortar to pass sieve with 1mm IS sieve.
iii. For dry mixture, grind in porcelain pestle and mortar to pass through 0.425mm IS
sieve.
iv. Grind as rapidly as possible to avoid loss or gain of moisture during the process.
v. Mix thoroughly and store in tightly stoppered bottles.
2. Determination of Moisture
a) Oven dry method

moisture content is one of the most commonly measured properties of fertilizers. It is

important to customers, manufacturers, regulatory officers, formulators, and farmers for
different reasons: legal and labeling requirements, efficiency and quality of the product.

oven-drying method, the loss of water on heating fertilizer samples at a certain

temperature is estimated. This method is suitable for fertilizers such as ammonium
sulphate, sodium nitrate, superphosphates, muriate of potash (MOP) and sulphate
of potash (SOP)

Procedure:

i. Weigh 2.0 g of fertilizer sample in pre weighed glass weighing bottle.

ii. Heat in a temperature controlled oven for about 5 hours at 99-101°C. Cool in a
desiccator and weigh.
 iii. In case of ammonium sulphate heat at 121-130 °C, for urea heat at 70-75 °C for 5 hours.
iv. Report/ document percentage loss in weight as moisture at temperature used.

Calculations

% moisture=(B-C)/(B-A)*100

Where A= weight in grams of bottle

B= weight of bottle plus material before drying.

C= weight of bottle plus material after drying.

b) Vacuum desiccator method (Applicable to ammonium chloride, CAN, DAP, and

NPK mixtures) In this method, phosphorus pentoxide is used, which works as a
desiccant due to its highly effective moisture-absorbing properties. It ensures that the
atmosphere remain extremely dry by preventing the re-absorption of moisture by the
sample.

Procedure: Weigh accurately about 5 g of prepared sample in a weighed shallow porcelain

dish and dry for 24 hours in a vacuum desiccator over phosphorus pentoxide and re- weight.

3. Estimation of pH

Estimation of pH in fertilizers is an essential parameter as it indicates the acidity or alkalinity

of the fertilizer solution or soil, which influences nutrient availability and plant growth.

Procedure:

i. 25 g of fertilizer was mixed with 50 ml of distilled water and kept on rotary shaker for
2 hours.
ii. Filtrate was obtained through Whatman filter paper using a funnel
iii. pH of filtrate is determined using pH meter and is documented properly.

4. Estimation of electric conductivity (EC)

Electric conductivity is the ability of a solution to conduct electricity. It is directly related
to the concentration and mobility of ions present in the solution. EC is typically measured
in units of milli Siemens per centimeter (mS/cm) or micro Siemens per centimeter
(μS/cm). EC meter is an electronic device equipped with a conductivity probe, which
 measures the electric conductivity of the solution. Solutions with known conductivity
values are used for calibrating the EC meter.
Procedure
i.

Learn about the regulatory standards and guidelines that govern fertilizer
production.

about the quality assurance protocols and documentation required for

maintaining product quality.

analyze test results and prepare reports summarizing the findings.

3. Results (without specific data due to confidentiality)

4. Applications (of techniques learned)

5. Conclusion

 Summary of skills and knowledge gained

 Personal reflection on internship experience

6. References