Economic value of nutrients in sugarbeet processing precipitated calcium carbonate.

Abstract

Precipitated calcium carbonate lime is a byproduct of sucrose extraction at sugarbeet processing factories in Idaho. Each year 351,000 Mg of this lime is produced and stockpiled at sugarbeet factories. There is currently no viable disposal strategy for this material and these piles continue to grow in size each year. However, with an average total P content in PCC of 150 kg P₂O₅/Mg and high fertilizer P prices, the application of PCC as a P source can be a practical alternative to fertilizers.