Development and design of fulvic acid process

Fulvic acid is a macromolecular substance with a structure and characteristics that change along with its origin and humification processes. Fulvic acids, like humic acid, occur naturally in water, soil and peat. The molecular weights of fulvic acids are less than those of humic acids. Fulvic acids are generally known to be richer in oxygen and poorer in carbon than humic acids. Besides its agricultural applications, fulvic acid has also been used for the clinical treatment of diseases induced by damage of oxygenated free radicals, such as arthritis, cancer, ulcers and rheumatism.In this research, development of purification process of fulvic acid was aimed. Accordingly, two different processes yielding calcium fulvate and ethyl fulvic ester were developed. In experimental studies, amounts of produced calcium fulvate and ethyl fulvic ester from 100 g of Muğla Milas Hüsamlar leonardite were 832 mg and 764 mg, respectively. After purification of these products, amount of pure fulvic acids produced from ethyl fulvic ester and calcium fulvate were 800 mg and 739 mg, respectively. Products were analysed with FT/IR spectrophotometer for determining functional groups and flame photometer for cation impurities. After purification studies on laboratory scale, leonardite operating plants with a capacity of 1 tons per hour were designed for each method. Also, calcium fulvate production was achieved in TKİ Konya-Ilgın Humic Acid Pilot Research Plant and 14 and 16 kg/ton raw material calcium fulvate was produced using Muğla Milas Hüsamlar leonardite and Konya Ilgın Gölyaka lignite, respectively.