Having proper fertilizer storage is important
To maintain the quality and integrity of fertiliser, good storage is a must (CSBP).Fertiliser is used as a food source for plants, designed to break down in moist conditions so it’s easy to absorb. In order to keep the fertiliser high quality until it’s time to seed, it’s vital that it’s kept dry and safe from harsh weather (Yara).
The requirements for fertiliser storage vary on many factors, including whether the product is placed in indoor or outdoor storage.
| Indoor Fertiliser Storage | Outdoor Fertiliser Storage |
| Best storage practice involves placing the fertiliser in an enclosed building | Store on a raised level, well-drained, dry and smooth surface |
| Needs to be made of a non-combustible material (e.g concrete, brick, or steel) and be well ventilated | All fertilisers that’s stored outside should be protected from the elements by covering. This could be a roof on a bunker, tarpaulin, etc. |
| The floor needs to have a level, dry, and even surface, free from potholes | |
| Typically need more ventilation, which comes with additional cost and maintenance |
Challenges with storing fertilizer
WEATHER PROTECTION
Fertiliser is highly susceptible to moisture, as a result weatherproof storage is a must. Two common approaches to this is the use of an industrial shed or building, lined with concrete to provide a durable corrosion resistant storage solution. For smaller storage requirements, a concrete bunker with a roof is a common solution.
VENTILATION
Getting ventilation right for fertiliser storage is vital - it prevents the buildup of toxic gasses and maintains the product’s quality. In most cases, ventilation is more of a challenge for indoor fertiliser storage.
Largely, ventilation is a more pressing concern for long-term storage. In many cases, sturdy structures made of plastic, metal, or concrete are important. The downside of this, though, is that these structures can be inappropriate for storing organic fertilisers that are still producing methane and other gasses. To combat this, venting or flexible covers are required.
LIGHT EXPOSURE
When light hits most chemical fertilisers, it can break down into a product less valuable. This can even occur after a few hours of exposure. Providing an opaque solution to storage fertiliser is essential in order to maintain a high-quality fertiliser that might react to UV exposure. For outdoor storage, opaque solutions could come with the main structure themselves - made with concrete or timber, for example - and with the roofing. If fertiliser is granular in texture, exposure to UV rays can result in combustion. Keeping fertiliser away from light/UV rays is vital to ensure high quality product (Van Iperen)
HEAT CONTROL
The ideal temperature to store fertilizer in is between 5 and 27℃ (Van Iperen) Compared to light exposure, many fertilizers are far more sensitive to high temperatures. With some fertilizers, they can shift forms or lose the desired quality when exposed to temperatures above 27°C for more than a few hours at a time. At extreme temperatures of 38℃F and above, combustion risks arise from many urea and ammonia-based, nitrogen fertilizers. There’s no need for air conditioning in most fertilizer storage areas, but ventilation can help control both heat and moisture that leads to fertilizer degradation and loss.
MAINTAINING GRANULE SIZE
Fertiliser granules are designed to protect the nutrients contained within, often with a coating that stops air and moisture from reaching the active materials. When granules break down, they lower the fertiliser’s quality. Other compounds may form when this happens, causing too much sodium or heavy metals into the soil. Granules can break down because of vibration/movement from as soon as when the fertiliser is stored.
The benefits of using Interbloc for Fertiliser storage
Interbloc is designed to adapt to your needs and different environments. At the heart of the Interbloc system is an interlocking, precast concrete block. These blocks stack together easily - much like LEGO - to create durable, flexible structures. One common example of these structures are fertiliser bins, but other examples also include PKE/Feed Bins, Silage Bunkers, Retaining Walls etc.
Interbloc fertiliser bins have been designed to provide fast, effective storage with a unique flexibility to accommodate changes in the storage requirements. With over 10 years of experience and hundreds of fertiliser bins around the country, Interbloc is a proven fertiliser storage solution
- Weather Protection: Depending on whether you’re needing indoor or outdoor storage, Interbloc can help. Indoor solutions can be achieved with our bulk fertiliser storage solutions. For outdoor solutions, retractable roofing or hinged doors can be added to ensure ventilation is gained, without sacrificing the quality of the fertilizer.
- Light exposure: With concrete blocks at a minimum of 20 MPA and 600 mm thick, light is very hard to break through. Combine this with a retractable roof and hinged doors for a combination that reduces light exposure with great ventilation.
- Heat control: As you can implement quality ventilation for indoor and outdoor Interbloc solutions, you’ll also be able to maintain a level of heat control
- Maintaining granular size: Because of the modularity of Interbloc, you can adjust your fertiliser bin as you need without much hassle.
By choosing Interbloc for your fertiliser storage, you also gain more benefits including:
- Fast Installation: This is unique to Interbloc. The combination of the interlocking shear key and certified lifting pin means 2 labor units can install up to 160m2 of wall per day. The interlocking shear key allows the blocks to self-align and positive interlock, speeding up installation and increasing the strength of the system.
- Reinforcing options: To improve the capacity of the wall to take higher loads, you can add vertical reinforcing
- Non-destructive dismantling: The modularity of Interbloc means you can deconstruct a wall just as easily as you can build it.
- Buyback guarantee: If you no longer need your Interbloc concrete blocks, you can sell them back to us.
- EPD Backed: With its low carbon profile, Interbloc is independently verified with an EPD from think. This will give you the reassurance that using the concrete block system is sustainable for your projects.
Interbloc Fertilizer Bin Success Stories
Small, Outdoor Fertilizer Bin - Lex Norton
Lex Norton owns and operates the lime prill storage facility for the far north located in Kaikohe. The bin has a capacity of 500 tonnes and was constructed in February 2008 using Interbloc with a simple externally supplied shelter roof.
Interbloc was chosen because:
- The strength of the blocks can withstand the odd hit from the loaded
- The blocks are freestanding
- The bin could be installed with their forklift
- The ability to expand and or relocate the bin in the future
“I was very happy with the Interbloc fertiliser bin and would recommend Interbloc structures for smaller farm storage requirements”. - Lex Norton
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Large, Indoor Bulk Fertiliser Bin - Viterra
Viterra needed to replace their existing retaining walls in their Geelong and Adelaide fertiliser stores, but ran into problems with traditional building techniques. Adding to that was the additional complication of the landlord wanting the 150 x 70 m retaining wall to be removed at Geelong.
Interbloc was chosen because:
- The blocks were movable/ the solution could be temporary
- The Interbloc system is engineered
- The retaining and retention walls that formed the bulk fertilizer storage doubled the factor of safety in their stores
"Viterra was considering a number of solutions. They needed an engineer-designed system and the walls had to be removable. Interbloc provided them with what they needed at a price they were comfortable with. The solution exceeded Viterra’s requirements in every way.” (Blueprint Consulting Engineers)
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Interbloc fertiliser bins offer a practical solution to the challenges of fertiliser storage. Their unique design allows for secure and organized storage, while also minimizing the risk of environmental contamination. If you are looking for an efficient and sustainable way to store your fertiliser, consider Interbloc.
Contact us for a quote and take the first step towards hassle-free fertiliser storage
https://www.envirocon.co.nz/pages/contact-us
