Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer Composition for Low Dusting and Caking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers face challenges in improving physical properties such as dusting, caking, and crushing strength, particularly in varying climates, and there is a need to reduce the explosive risk without compromising nutrient content.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating biotite and calcium-containing compounds like dolomite or lime into the production process of ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers, along with optional magnesium sources, to form a melt that is processed into solid particles, enhancing physical properties and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the nitrogen content of ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers is increased above 27 weight%, then the nutrient content is improved, but the explosive risk becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces biotite as an intermediary substance that mediates between ammonium nitrate and water. The biotite surface acts as a site for controlled water absorption and ammonium nitrate crystallization, allowing the formulation to maintain high nitrogen content (up to 80% or more) while the biotite structure helps manage the explosive risk by controlling water interaction and providing a stable matrix.
2Reliability
If additives are added to ammonium nitrate-based particles to improve physical properties, then dusting, caking and crushing strength are improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biotite as a multi-functional additive that simultaneously addresses multiple physical property issues. The biotite performs several functions: it improves dusting characteristics, prevents caking, enhances crushing strength, and contributes to explosive risk management. This single substance replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate additives and processing steps, thereby improving physical properties without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If biotite is used without strong acid pretreatment, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the effectiveness of biotite in improving particle properties may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of biotite treatment from 'strong acid pretreatment' to 'no pretreatment or mild treatment'. By altering this processing parameter, the manufacturing process is simplified while the patent demonstrates that unpretreated or mildly treated biotite can still effectively improve particle properties when used in the appropriate quantity and combined with other components like calcium-containing compounds and magnesium sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting particles exhibit improved dusting, caking, and crushing strength, maintaining performance across temperate and tropical climates, while reducing explosive risk and maintaining nutrient content.
Implementation Method 1
adding to the first melt biotite, a magnesium compound, and a calcium-containing compound selected from the group consisting of dolomite, lime, calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof to obtain a second melt
Implementation Method 2
processing the second melt to obtain the solid fertilizer particle
Implementation Method 3
from 0.1 to 5.0 weight% of magnesium nitrate, and a calcium-containing compound selected from the group consisting of dolomite, lime, calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a solid fertilizer particle comprising from 50 to 90 weight% of ammonium nitrate, a calcium-containing compound selected from the group consisting of dolomite, lime, calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof, from 1.0 to 7.0 weight% of biotite, and from 0.1 to 5.0 weight% of magnesium nitrate. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing the solid fertilizer particle.