2. Nitrogen (N) Fertilizers Sources and Formulations. Flashcards
Nitrogen impact on environment?
Nitrate-N is a major nutrient that supports growth of algae and aquatic plants, which as the die and decompose, tie up oxygen in the water creating hypoxing condition which starves aquatic animals for oxygen.
In the soil reactive forms of Nitrogen released into the atmosphere an N2O which is over 300 time as poten as CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
Reactive forms of Nitrogen are all forms other than N2.
What is process of nitrification/ denitrification?
Transformation of ammonium to nitrate by bacteria. Proceeds rather quickly when temperatures are warm.
Another bacterial process converts nitrate in N2 gas which is released to the atmosphere.
Nitrogen fertilizers essential manufacture processes?
Haber-Bosch Process.
All Nintrogen (N) fertilizers esentially begin with ANHYDROUS AMMONIA which is manufactured from Air and Natural gas.
Natural Gas + Air (Under high temperature and pressure = Anhydrous Ammonia 2NH3.
Other applications of Nitrogen fertilizers besides direct application?
Besides direct application as anhydrous ammonia fertilizer, ammonia is also used as raw material in the production of:
- Urea
- Ammonium Nitrate
- MAP (Monoammonium phosphate)
- DAP (Diammonium phosphate)
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? NH3.
Source?
Locations?
Transportation?
Methods of application?
- Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) (82% N)
Source: Natural Gas (methan)
Located: Near natural gas supplies
Transported: Pipelines, truck liquid under pressure and/or refrigeration.
Applied to the soil by injection at a depth of 10cm to 20cm as a pressurized liquid that immediately vaporizes and reacts with soil water to convert to ammonium NH4+. This Ion then gets attached to negatively charged cation exchange.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? Aqua.
- Method of production?
- Methods of application?
- Aqua Ammonia (20 to 24% N)
Produced by mixing ammonia with water.
Can be added to irrigation water as an alternate means of application.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? [(NH4)2SO4].
- Produced?
- Comes from manufacturing?
- Ammonium Suphate [(NH4)2SO4]? (21% N) (24% S)
Produced as an industrial byproduct.
Comes from Manufacturing of: Steel, Nylon and other processes that use sulphuric acid.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? UREA.
- Production?
- Urea (46% N)
Production: Controlled reaction of ammonia gas NH3 and Carbon Dioxide CO2 with elevated temperature and pressure.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? Nitrophosphate.
- Made by?
- Advantages?
- Made by treating rock phosphate with nitric acid instead of sulphuric acid.
Advantages: Byproduct Calcium Sulphat (gypsum) is not produced.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? NH4NO3.
- Contain?
- Methos of production?
- Form contained?
- Ammonium Nitrate (33-34% N)
The solution of ammonium nitrate dropped from a tower and solidifies to form prilles.
Half of the N is in the ammonium form, another half is in the Nitrate Form. That provides a delayed-release of N.
Most common (N) Nitrogen formulations? Urea ammonium nitrate. UAN.
- Common use?
- Crop Application?
- Urea ammonium nitrate (28% N)
Commonly used as a liquid fertilizer.
Applied for row crops such as maize.
Calcium cyanamide?
- Additional advantage?
- In addition to its fertilizer value, has herbicidal and fungicidal properties due to intermediate decomposition products.
What is the difference between ammonia and anhydrous ammonia?
The term anhydrous ammonia indicates that the ammonia water content is less than .2 percent. This differentiates it from the various widely used aqueous solutions of ammonia. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, NH3 is a colorless gas with a sharp and pungent odor. For economic purposes, Anhydrous Ammonia is usually transported and stored in a cooled and compressed liquid state.
