Ammonium Nitrate: Fertilizers

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Ammonium nitrate (AN) is widely known to be an important fertilizer. Increasing consumer requirements have triggered the production of AN as well as the modification of various properties of this compound. However, AN is inexpensive, and its explosive decomposition can be easily induced; hence, there is increased concern regarding the possible misuse of this compound in preparing explosives for antisocial activities. For this reason, the governments of many countries have imposed strict limitations on the industrial-scale production and use of AN, because of which consumer demands for fertilizers are not met. This in turn has led to increased cost of AN-based fertilizers and restricted use of such fertilizers in agricultural fields. Several formulations and processes aimed at suppressing the detonation probability of AN have been proposed by researchers. Although various chemical …show more content…

attempted to prevent the detonation by adding nanometer-sized aluminum powder to AN solution [17]. Ostmark et al. investigated the detonation properties of a mixture of ammonium dinitramide and AN [18]. A similar patented similar study was performed by Mueller et al. [19]. Fleming reported a patented study on the detonation properties of AN mixtures stabilized with binders; plasticizers such as trimethylolethane trinitrate; or dessicants, and successfully reduced the explosion risk of AN [20]. For producing explosives with low detonation velocity, Mousavi et al. devised a process based on the Williamsburg equation of state [21]. Boyars et al. [22] showed that the risk of accidental detonation of large masses of commercial AN during handling and storage under normal climatic conditions can be reduced by replacing some of the AN with a solid solution of potassium nitrate (0-50 wt%). Kimura et al. [23] successfully improved the combustion properties of AN, which have a marked effect on the heat of detonation, by adding the necessary proportion of potassium

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