10.4.5

NPK Fertilisers 2

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Potassium-Containing Compounds in Fertilisers

There are 2 main soluble sources of potassium that can be used as fertilisers in their raw form. Both of these soluble sources are extracted using mining.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be used in fertilisers. We will look at the sources and production of such fertilisers.

Illustrative background for Production of ammonium nitrateIllustrative background for Production of ammonium nitrate ?? "content

Production of ammonium nitrate

  • The nitrogen-containing compounds that are found in fertilisers are made using ammonia and nitric acid to produce ammonium nitrate:
    • Ammonia + nitric acid → ammonium nitrate
    • NH3(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq)
Illustrative background for Nitrogen from two sourcesIllustrative background for Nitrogen from two sources ?? "content

Nitrogen from two sources

  • Because it contains nitrogen from two sources, ammonium nitrate is exceptionally rich in nitrogen.
  • This means that it is ideal for use in fertilisers.
Illustrative background for Phosphate rockIllustrative background for Phosphate rock ?? "content

Phosphate rock

  • Phosphate rock is a source of insoluble phosphorus that is obtained by mining.
  • Useful soluble products can be obtained by treating phosphate rock with different acids.
    • This includes the phosphate-containing compounds found in fertilisers.
Illustrative background for Treatments of phosphate rockIllustrative background for Treatments of phosphate rock ?? "content

Treatments of phosphate rock

  • Treatment of phosphate rock with nitric acid yields phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate.
  • Treatment of phosphate rock with sulfuric acid yields single superphosphate (a mixture of calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate).
  • Treatment of phosphate rock with phosphoric acid yields triple superphosphate (calcium phosphate).
Illustrative background for Sources of potassiumIllustrative background for Sources of potassium ?? "content

Sources of potassium

  • There are two main soluble sources of potassium that can be used as fertilisers in their raw form:
    • Potassium chloride
    • Potassium sulfate
  • Both of these soluble sources of potassium are extracted using mining.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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