Production And Uses Of NPK Fertilisers

NPK fertilisers

formulations used by farmers to improve crop yield and quality

What do NPK fertilisers have?

they contain compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the appropriate percentages to maximise plant development

Why are NPK fertilisers called NPK?

they contain nitrogen phosphorus and potassium

Why do the compounds in NPK fertilisers need to be soluble?

so they can be absorbed by plant roots

What form is nitrogen in NPK fertilisers?

in the form of ammonium salts

What is ammonia used to do?

ammonia from the haber process can be used to manufacture both nitric acid and ammonium salts

What is the equation for the reaction of forming ammonium salts

nitric acid + ammonia —\> ammonium nitrate

What is the balanced symbol equation for forming ammonium salts?

HNO3 + NH3 —\> NH4NO3

What is the raw material required for phosphate salts?

phosphate rock

What does phosphate rock contain?

contain various insoluble metal phosphate compounds (such as calcium phosphate) and they need to react with acid to produce soluble salts

What are the products of phosphate rock + nitric acid?

phosphoric acid + calcium nitrate a

What are the products of phosphate rock + sulfuric acid?

single superphosphate (calcium sulfate + calcium phosphate)

What are the products of phosphate rock + phosphoric acid?

triple superphosphate (calcium phosphate)

How are postassium chloride and ootassium sulfate obtained?

through mining however they can be included directly in the NPK fertilisers without further reactions

Industrial production of fertilisers

-ammonia gas is added to very large containers of concentrated nitric acid
-this is very exothermic and so much of the water is evaporate to leave very concentrated ammonium nitrate

Lab production of ammonium nitrate

-ammonia is titrated with dilute nitric acid
-the temperature of the process is much lower
-the resulting solution is then left to crystalise which produces pure ammonium nitrate crystals

Is industrial production of fertilisers or lab production of ammonium nitrate more dangerous?

industry - concentrated acid and higher temperature

Is industrial production of fertilisers or lab production of ammonium nitrate slower?

lab - left to crystallise and lower temperature

Is industrial production of fertilisers or lab production of ammonium nitrate more cost effective?

industry - faster, more product