Ammonium Nitrate Double Salts Detonation Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ammonium nitrate, commonly used as a fertilizer, is hazardous and prone to detonation, making it difficult to handle and store safely due to its high nitrate content and unpredictable explosive properties, especially when used in commercial quantities.
Innovation Solution
The development of ammonium nitrate compositions in the form of double salts with compounds like ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdate, ammonium hexafluorosilicate, and neodymium hydroxynitrate, which reduce detonation sensitivity and enhance stability, allowing for safer handling and storage by forming new crystalline compounds that are less hazardous and more resistant to explosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ammonium nitrate is used in high concentration for fertilizer purposes, then nitrate ion availability is improved, but detonation sensitivity increases and safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ammonium nitrate with ammonium sulfate to form a double salt composition. This merging of two compounds creates a new material that maintains the high nitrate content needed for fertilizer effectiveness while the ammonium sulfate component reduces the detonation sensitivity and hazardous properties of pure ammonium nitrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the composition to exhibit properties that are superior to the individual components, particularly in terms of reduced explosive hazard while maintaining agricultural efficacy.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ammonium nitrate is stored in large masses for long periods, then fertilizer supply capability is improved, but handling safety and storage stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By merging ammonium nitrate with ammonium sulfate in a double salt formulation, the composition achieves improved storage stability and handling safety. The combined material can be stored in large masses for extended periods without the same safety concerns as pure ammonium nitrate, enabling reliable long-term fertilizer storage and supply.
3Productivity
If ammonium nitrate is used in forms that increase explosive properties, then fertilizer effectiveness is improved, but predictability of explosive behavior worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing ammonium sulfate into the ammonium nitrate system. This parameter change results in a composition that maintains high nitrate content for fertilizer effectiveness while achieving more predictable and reduced explosive behavior compared to various forms of pure ammonium nitrate.
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprising ammonium nitrate and at least a second compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexafluoralsilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate and combinations of two or more of these.