New here and not very good at chemistry but keen to learn..
I do have a question: If equal parts 68% Nitric Acid and 99.5% anhydrous Ammonia were mixed the resultant Ammonium Nitrate would have a strength of
what %?
Thank You paulhusd - 14-12-2011 at 18:45
So you all know I am not trying to make explosives I am part owner in a small fertilizer business in NSW Australia and we are trying to help some
farmers out by supplying liquid fertilizers at a better cost.hissingnoise - 15-12-2011 at 04:17
The reaction of HNO<sub>3</sub> with anhydrous ammonia is quite vigorous.
The hydroxide is preferred in home-synthesis.
NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub> contains ~ 34% nitrogen, appreciably less than urea.
And we excrete urea in urine - nearly an ounce per day . . .
paulhusd - 15-12-2011 at 19:17
We are going to be doing this on a commercial scale using a vessel for the reaction. I assume the reaction will create heat likely to raise the fluid
to over 140C.Bot0nist - 15-12-2011 at 19:45
If you have industrial aspirations, perhaps the Haber-Bosch process may be of interest.
This synthesis is not dangerous but it releases lots of heat. It might trigger chain reactions that might lead to disaster if (God forbid) the cooling
system were to fail. Watch this:
NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>(s) ---(heat)----> 2H<sub>2</sub>O (g) + N<sub>2</sub>O(g)
This reaction is actually exothermic (I'm not exactly sure by how much), it is catalysed by the addition of heat, but releases heat overall. According
to wikipedia, if the temperature exceeds 240C, uncontrolled decomposition takes place. Notice that the two products are gases, this synthesis could
potentially spiral out of control very rapidly.
Urea sounds like a nice alternative, nice and stable Pulverulescent - 4-1-2012 at 13:22
Hopefully the OP will take these concerns on board . . .
Fail. The resulting slurry will have properties much like cement!
NH3 + HNO3 all the way, with plastic bubblers for ammonia and colling around bubbler and plastic vessel
