SIBUR Modernized Glycol Production SIBUR Modernized Glycol Production
The SIBUR holding company completed a modernization of its production processes at its facilities in the Central region, reducing ethylene consumption in the...
Chemical Materials in Agriculture Chemical Materials in Agriculture:
Science does not stand still, and in agriculture new fertilizers are constantly being invented — formulations to improve the quality of grown produce,...
Overview Article: Ammonium Bifluoride We have prepared an overview article on the chemical properties of Ammonium bifluoride.
The article gives a general description of ammonium bifluoride from the standpoint of chemical reactivity. It...
How to Increase the Fire Resistance of Materials?
Flame retardants are used to improve the fire resistance of materials.
Flame retardants are substances added to materials of organic origin to increase their fire-resistant properties. They slow down the combustion and ignition of the material.
The action of flame retardants is based on:
1. melting...
Classification of dangerous goods by hazard level (ADR hazard class) in Russia is based on GOST 19433-88 "Dangerous goods. Classification and labeling," introduced in 1990.
Classes of Dangerous Goods:
Class
Subclass
Name
1
explosive materials
1.1
explosives with a mass explosion hazard
1.2
explosives with no mass explosion...
Mineral Fertilizers
Everyone knows that various fertilizers, both mineral and organic, are introduced into soil to increase its fertility.
Today the market offers a huge variety of products for mineral soil enrichment. Science continually studies and invents new and new combinations of mineral components, such as potassium, phosphorus, ammonia,...
The main types of fertilizer are based on nitrogen as the most important plant nutrient element. This is because it is part of the amino acids in proteins.
In addition to nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, as well as phosphorus and sulfur, form the basis of living tissue and organic matter. While the first three are available from the surrounding air, the other substances may be present in insufficient quantities.
Of course, micro-doses of, for example, magnesium are also required, but without addressing the shortage of the substances listed above, adding magnesium will not fix the situation.
Ammonia fertilizers
Ammonia of various origins is used in the production of ammonia fertilizers:
Ammonia contained in coke oven gases — it is washed and NH3 is separated from the solution. Then a mixture of water and Ca(OH)2 is added, and sulfuric acid is introduced for binding.
Ammonia of synthetic origin.
From peat during combustion.
Ammonia fertilizer can be divided into:
Ammonium sulfate — contains 21% nitrogen. May contain impurities of various Mg, SiO2, Ca compounds and sulfuric acid up to half a percent. When produced from coke ammonia, it may contain up to a tenth of a percent of ammonium thiocyanate, which in turn can be harmful to plants on low-humus soils. Ammonium sulfate is highly soluble in water and practically does not cake. Contains about 24% sulfur.
Ammonium sodium sulfate — an industrial by-product of caprolactam production. Contains 9% Na, 16-25% nitrogen. Particularly good for cruciferous crops and beet fields.
Ammonium chloride — contains up to 66.6% chlorine and up to 25% nitrogen. Plants that are particularly sensitive to chlorine may produce a lower yield — grapes, potatoes, vegetables, etc. In such cases, it is recommended to apply it to the soil in advance.
Liquid ammonia fertilizers:
Ammonium nitrate. Of all nitrogen fertilizers, this is considered the most effective. Used for all types of agricultural crops.
Calcium ammonium nitrate — nitrogen content up to 20%. Difficult to transport. Mainly used in Europe.
Nitrate fertilizers:
Sodium nitrate — nitrogen content up to 16%. In industry, this is a by-product of the industrial production of nitric acid. The product is soluble in water and, when storage recommendations are followed, retains its free-flowing properties for a long time. It is an alkalizing product — recommended for acidic soils. Used for all crops, but especially good for increasing root crop yields.
Calcium nitrate — contains up to 15.5% nitrogen. The product absorbs moisture from the air, so it requires airtight storage. Industrial-scale production began in Norway in the early 20th century, which is why this product is also known as “Norwegian” saltpeter. Has an alkaline effect. Sugar beet is particularly sensitive to it — improves the yield of this crop.
Amide nitrogen:
Carbamide (urea) — contains up to 46% nitrogen. Produced in granule form. Cakes easily, so during production the granules themselves are coated with a very thin film of a special additive.
Calcium cyanamide — up to 21% nitrogen. Looks like a powdery mass ranging from dark gray to black in color. Applied a week before sowing. Quickly converts to carbamide in the soil.
Liquid nitrogen fertilizers:
Anhydrous ammonia — up to 82.3% nitrogen. Looks like a colorless liquid with a sharp characteristic odor.
Ammonia water — different grades are distinguished depending on concentration. Essentially anhydrous ammonia dissolved in water. Contains up to 20.5% nitrogen.
Ammoniates — up to 50% nitrogen. This is a solution of ammonia water and various nitrates or carbamide.
UAN solutions — a mixture of ammonium nitrate and carbamide. Different ratios produce different grades.
There is a separate subtype of so-called slow-release fertilizers. This is achieved through the following methods:
Substances with incomplete dissolution
Coating the main fertilizer substance with various oils, paraffins, etc. to reduce the dissolution rate.
Fertilizers with special inhibitors.
The advantages of such products can be highlighted:
Significant reduction in the loss and/or leaching, weathering, etc. of the main substance.
As a result, an increase in the efficiency ratio.
Any fertilizer, in one way or another, has a negative impact on the environment — slow-release products significantly reduce this impact.
The amount of nitrates in plants is reduced due to slower fertilizer absorption and the conversion of the main active substance into nitrate form.
Economic benefit from fewer plant feeding actions — for example, the required share of nitrogen can be applied once for the entire ripening period of the plant.
Such a product is easier to transport and less demanding in terms of storage conditions.
