PACIFIC FERTILISER

Tag: recycled gypsum

  • Gypsum Quality Comparison Report 2017

    Gypsum Quality Comparison Report 2017

    Pacific Fertiliser recently added more gypsum pits to a study it undertook in 2015 for detailed research into the bulk agricultural gypsum products available on the eastern seaboard of Australia. This research continues on from the NSW Department of Primary Industries work in 1996 which was reported in the AgFact AC.10 (Agdex 514) document.

    The numerous gypsum samples were obtained from various agricultural gypsum sources either ex mine pit or from product landed on the farm. Pacific Fertiliser natural gypsum and REGYP recycled gypsum products were tested during the research and these were taken from our finished product stockpiles.

    The main items we tested for were gypsum purity, sizing and solubility. The results enable us to benchmark our products against others, but also to help customers in their evaluation of which gypsum to use when they are looking to purchase gypsum for their farm or project.

    When testing for gypsum solubility, we employed the method used in the AgFact AC.10 paper. This test method is more indicative of what happens in the paddock rather than the normal method to test solubility, where gypsum samples are finely ground up before being analysed. Due to the river bed gypsum having higher salt contents we had to adjust the solubility results to reflect the true gypsum solubility.

    If you have any questions or would like to view the full report please feel free to call 1300473497 or visit our website www.pacificfertiliser.com 

    Test Laboratory:
    Pacific Fertiliser commissioned Cement Australia to do the gypsum analysis work in 2015 through to 2017 for our research. Cement Australia’s laboratory in Darra QLD is NATA approved and very proficient and experienced in testing gypsum and other minerals.

    Test Methods:
    Gypsum Purity:-                      Calculated from Sulphur (S) content. (18.6% Sulphur is 100% CaSO4.2H2O)
    Sulphur Content: –                  X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
    Total Calcium:-                         XRF
    Total Oxides:-                            XRF
    Moisture Content:-                 AS 4489.8.1, modified for gypsum by limiting heat to 40ºC for 24 hrs.
    Particle Size:-                             Analysis Dry sieve
    Gypsum Solubility:-                As per the method used in the NSW AGFACTS AC.10. Solubility is expressed as electrical conductivity (EC) of solution obtained by adding the equivalent of 10g of pure gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to 1 litre of demineralised water. This solution is gently shaken (20 times end over end) and placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. The unit of electrical conductivity is dS/m.
    Adjusted solubility:-                Pacific Fertiliser added a modified column to the analysis results in the above table, to allow for the effect on electrical conductivity in the gypsum samples with a higher salt content. The measured electrical conductivity (EC) of a solution is influenced by the concentration and composition of dissolved salts.  In the 1996 results Bourke solubility was 0.4 dS/m and Balranald was 1.0 dS/m.

    Please download a full copy of the research report here (17mB)

     

  • Buying Gypsum

    Buying Gypsum

    When buying gypsum from any supplier please ask the following questions when requesting delivered or ex works prices.

    • Price $/tonne
    • Do you have a recent analysis report (less than 6 months old) including
      • Gypsum purity (%)
      • Calcium and sulphur content (%)
      • Sizing (top and mean size)
      • Salt content %
      • Moisture content %

    Gypsum Quality Classification:

    • Premium Grade Gypsum described as : Gypsum must contain a minimum of 89% purity, 16.5% sulphur (S) and a minimum of 21.0% Calcium (Ca).
    • Grade 1 Gypsum described as : Gypsum must contain a minimum of 81% purity, 15.0% sulphur (S) and a minimum of 19.0% Calcium (Ca).
    • Grade 2 Gypsum described as : Gypsum must contain a minimum of 67% purity, 12.5% sulphur (S) and a minimum of 15.5% Calcium (Ca).
    • Grade 3 Gypsum described as : Gypsum must contain a minimum of 54% purity, 10.0% sulphur (S) and a minimum of 12.5% Calcium (Ca).

               Purity of gypsum is calculated by dividing the Sulphur content % by 0.186 (i.e. gypsum with 100% has 18.6% Sulphur). 

    Bulk-gypsum

  • Gypsum Comparison Results 2015

    Gypsum Comparison Results 2015

    Pacific Fertiliser recently undertook detailed research into the bulk agricultural gypsum products available on the eastern seaboard of Australia. This research continues on from the NSW Department of Primary Industries work in 1996 which was reported in the AgFact AC.10 (Agdex 514) document.

    The gypsum samples were obtained from various agricultural gypsum sources either ex mine pit or from product landed on the farm. Pacific Fertiliser and REGYP gypsum products were also tested during the research and these were taken from finished product stockpiles.

    The main items we tested for were gypsum purity, sizing and solubility. The results enable us to benchmark our products against others, but also to help customers in their evaluation of which gypsum to use when they are looking to purchase gypsum for their farm or project.

    When testing for gypsum solubility, we employed the method used in the AgFact AC.10 paper. This test method is more indicative of what happens in the paddock rather than the normal method to test solubility, where gypsum samples are finely ground up before being analysed. Due to the river bed gypsum having higher salt contents we had to adjust the solubility results to reflect the true gypsum solubility.

    If you have any questions or would like to view the full report please feel free to call 1300473497 or visit our website www.pacificfertiliser.com 

    Gypsum Comparison Sept2015

    Test Laboratory:
    Pacific Fertiliser commissioned Cement Australia to do the gypsum analysis work for our research. Cement Australia’s laboratory in Darra QLD is NATA approved and very proficient and experienced in testing gypsum and other minerals.

    Test Methods:
    Gypsum Purity:-                      Calculated from Sulphur (S) content. (18.6% Sulphur is 100% CaSO4.2H2O)
    Sulphur Content: –                  X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
    Total Calcium:-                         XRF
    Total Oxides:-                            XRF
    Moisture Content:-                 AS 4489.8.1, modified for gypsum by limiting heat to 40ºC for 24 hrs.
    Particle Size:-                             Analysis Dry sieve
    Gypsum Solubility:-                As per the method used in the NSW AGFACTS AC.10. Solubility is expressed as electrical conductivity (EC) of solution obtained by adding the equivalent of 10g of pure gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to 1 litre of demineralised water. This solution is gently shaken (20 times end over end) and placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. The unit of electrical conductivity is dS/m.
    Adjusted solubility:-                Pacific Fertiliser added a modified column to the analysis results in the above table, to allow for the effect on electrical conductivity in the gypsum samples with a higher salt content. The measured electrical conductivity (EC) of a solution is influenced by the concentration and composition of dissolved salts.  In the 1996 results Bourke solubility was 0.4 dS/m and Balranald was 1.0 dS/m.

    Please download a full copy of the research report here (13mB).

     

  • Gypsums Ain’t Gypsums

    Gypsums Ain’t Gypsums

    We recently have undertaken a large study to bench mark different gypsum products from different mines and processing plants to ascertain their quality in a 3rd party laboratory. See the results from the study where we used a NSW Ag Facts method to test gypsum solubility. Study link  http://pacificfertiliser.com/gypsum-comparison-results/846/. We also have a free Gypsum Cost Comparison spreadsheet we can send you, which can assist you to compare your various gypsum quotes from various suppliers in an apples with apples scenario.

    For many reasons gypsum can be considered to be a farmer’s best friend. Gypsum or CaSO4.2H20  is an excellent source of both Calcium and Sulphur which are essential for both yield and grain quality. However gypsum benefits go much further. As a soil amendment it helps improve the physical properties of soil, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure providing a better environment for the plant roots. The calcium can also displace harmful sodium in the soil, essential to the sustainability of most irrigated soils.

    Agricultural gypsum products can come in many forms like:

    • Natural Gypsum – Mined
    • Recycled from plasterboard – Super Ag Gypsum
    • Flue Gas scrubbing on power stations – FGD Gypsum
    • By-product of Fertiliser manufacture – Phospho Gypsum (from the old super plants – not available anymore)

    All of these variants of CaSO4.2H20  have calcium as calcium and sulphur as sulphate. When comparing any gypsum products you should consider the following items. Gypsum Purity (% of CaSO4.2H20), calcium and/or sulphur content depending on requirements, Solubility, Salts, Heavy metals (such as lead or cadmium), Contaminants (such as paper).

     

  • Pacific Fertiliser releases a NEW Product Brochure

    PacFert releases a NEW Product Brochure outing some of its products.

    Please download a copy of the new Pacific Fertiliser product brochure using the following link


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