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Author: Subject: Making Ammonium Nitrate
paulhusd
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[*] posted on 14-12-2011 at 18:44
Making Ammonium Nitrate


Hello,

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




Darryl Paulhus
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paulhusd
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[*] posted on 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.



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hissingnoise
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[*] posted on 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 . . .


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paulhusd
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[*] posted on 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.



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[*] posted on 15-12-2011 at 19:45


If you have industrial aspirations, perhaps the Haber-Bosch process may be of interest.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NH4NO3
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process

[Edited on 16-12-2011 by Bot0nist]




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[*] posted on 15-12-2011 at 21:48


HNO3(aq) + NH3(l) → NH4NO3(aq)
(NH4)2SO4 + 2 NaNO3 → Na2SO4 + 2 NH4NO3
Ca(NO3)2 + (NH4)2SO4 → 2 NH4NO3 + CaSO4

Some reactions that produce Ammonium Nitrate (from Wiki)




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neptunium
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 08:35


i`ll go with the Calcium nitrate . no doubt .

twice the NO3- and CaSO4 precipitate out

win win boom !
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 09:33


Quote:
i`ll go with the Calcium nitrate . no doubt .
twice the NO3-
win win boom !

The atomic weight of Ca is roughly twice that of Na so they kinda balance out . . .

P

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neptunium
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 12:33


true
CaSO4 precipitate making a separation easy
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neptunium
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 12:34


true
CaSO4 precipitate making a separation easy
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Waffles SS
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 12:37


2 NH3 + 4 O3 → NH4NO3 + 4 O2 + H2O
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 12:54


Quote: Originally posted by Waffles SS  
2 NH3 + 4 O3 → NH4NO3 + 4 O2 + H2O


Didn't you read they are gonna do it on a large scale?

[Edited on 4-1-2012 by Adas]




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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 13:10


Careful!!

HNO<sub>3</sub>(l) + NH<sub>3</sub>(g) → NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>(s)

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 :D




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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 13:22


Hopefully the OP will take these concerns on board . . .

P
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[*] posted on 4-1-2012 at 15:31


Quote: Originally posted by neptunium  
true
CaSO4 precipitate making a separation easy


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
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