Abstract: A method of making free-flowing moisture resistant calcium-containing particles that inhibit the water absorption characteristics of calcium products, hygroscopic and deliquescent, for example, the method comprising the steps of spraying molten soluble nitrogen-containing material onto the hygroscopic calcium-containing granules and recovering the coated granules. The core of the particle is a calcium-containing material, more particularly a soluble calcium-containing material. Moisture resistant or hydrophobic coatings are applied to the core to inhibit water absorption by the calcium-containing material. The coated particles may then be more easily shipped, stored and handled as a dry, anhydrous product. A core comprised of calcium chloride coated with urea is useful as both a soil conditioner and a fertilizer. Additional plant nutrients are mixed with either the core or the coating materials to improve fertilizing is qualities.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, water-disintegrable agglomerates for use as a soil conditioner produced from dust particles emitted from kilns during the manufacture of cement and a process for forming such agglomerates are disclosed. The process comprises combining cement kiln dust and a water-soluble binder to produce agglomerates which are then subjected to controlled drying such that the dried agglomerates having a size ranging from -7 to +8 Tyler Standard Sieve Series exhibit an average green crush strength of at least about 2 pounds (about 0.9 kg).

Abstract: A substantially non-caking solid is treated with distillation bottoms that are liquid at about 60.degree. C. or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:R2--R1--OH,wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted branched, straight chain or cyclic C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 and R2 is OH or H.

Abstract: A coated granular inorganic substance and a method for producing the coated substance are provided. The coated granular inorganic substance includes inorganic particles having outer surfaces at least partially coated with an organic layer which includes a phosphorus-containing, amphiphilic component. A coating composition which includes a phosphorus-containing, amphiphilic component and a fertilizer spreader containing fertilizer particles having outer surfaces substantially coated with an organic layer which includes the phosphorus-containing, amphiphilic component are also provided.

Abstract: Granular coated particles suitable for use alone or in combination with other fertilizer particles as an nitrogen-dispersing agricultural fertilizer, and a process for making the granular coated particles are disclosed. The granular coated particles include particles formed from at least one metal nitrate, and a first coating layer surrounding each of the metal nitrate particles. The first coating layer is formed from a mixture containing urea and at least one metal nitrate. The metal nitrate particles each is substantially free and discrete from other metal nitrate particles. The metal nitrate is preferably sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.

Abstract: Free-flowing moisture resistant calcium-containing particles that inhibit the water absorption characteristics of calcium products, including soluble calcium products that are hygroscopic and deliquescent, by providing a moisture resistant coating. The core of the particle is a calcium-containing material, more particularly a soluble calcium-containing material. Moisture resistant or hydrophobic coatings are applied to the core to inhibit water absorption by the calcium-containing material. The coated particles may then be more easily shipped, stored and handled as a dry, anhydrous product. A core comprised of calcium chloride coated with urea is useful as both a soil conditioner and a fertilizer. Additional plant nutrients are mixed with either the core or the coating materials to improve fertilizing qualities. Additional coatings of hydrophobic materials such as a paraffinic hydrocarbon or a polymeric resin increase the water resistance of the particles.

Abstract: System and method for processing an effluvia gas containing NO.sub.X and sulfur dioxide to produce an enriched fertilizer. The gas is brought into contact with a host liquid and calcium oxide to convert the NO.sub.X to calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide to calcium sulfate, and the liquid containing the calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide is then passed through a bed of horse manure media so that the calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide accumulate in and thereby enrich the media for use as fertilizer.

Abstract: Solids that, untreated, have a tendency to cake are treated with distillation bottoms that are liquid at about 60.degree. C. or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:R2-R1-OH,wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic, C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 and R2 is OH or H.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stable aqueous fertilizer suspension suitable for drip irrigation, which suspension contains 5-55% by weight water and 45-95% by weight of one or several plant-nutrient containing substances, of which at least one contains water-insoluble solid particles, the particle size of the solid particles contained in the suspension being less than 50 .mu.m and the pH of the suspension being within the range 2-7. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of this suspension.

Abstract: A method of producing an alkaline earth nitrate fertilizer composition where a gas stream containing nitrogen oxides is treated to convert the nitrogen oxides to nitric acid and the gas stream then contacted with an aqueous medium containing an alkaline earth compound which reacts with the nitric acid to form an aqueous effluent solution of an alkaline earth nitrate. A portion of the aqueous effluent solution is used to form additional aqueous medium containing an alkaline earth compound for further contact with the gas stream, such that the concentration of alkaline earth nitrate in the aqueous effluent is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agricultural composition and a conditioning agent. The agricultural composition comprises a substrate, being a nitrate-containing fertilizer, and 0.1-2 weight % of a coating comprising 10-50 weight % wax, 90-40 weight % oil and 1-30 weight % resin being oil-soluble and miscible with wax. The conditioning agent is useful for reducing hygroscopicity and dust formation of fertilizers. It comprises 10-50 weight % wax, 90-40 weight % oil and 1-30 weight % oil being oil soluble and miscible with wax. When applied for nitrate of lime, this agent comprises preferably 15-30 weight % wax, 70-85 weight % white oil and/or vegetable oil and/or refined mineral oil and 2-15 weight % resin, which comprises non-crystalline tall oil resin and/or esters of stabilized resin acids.

Abstract: A plant nutrient composition and a method of its administration is disclosed, providing plants with one or more metal ions in a form in which said metal ions can be absorbed by plants. The composition comprises a product obtained by mixing said one or more metal ions with a reducing sugar following heating of the sugar under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: A one step process is provided which denitrifies explosives and propellants and reclaims the evolved nitrogen therefrom while concurrently modifying the remaining carbonaceous materials into humic acid suitable for plant fertilizer applications. Explosives and propellants are hydrolyzed with a solution of ACTOSOL.RTM. humic acid extract. The humic acid extract fixes the free nitrogen evolved, preventing its loss as ammonia or NO.sub.x gases. The ACTOSOL.RTM. fixed nitrogen is then available directly to plants as slow-release nitrogen, and can directly replace nitrogen derived from urea or other sources in plant fertilizers., The carbonaceous material remaining from the denitrification process is non-explosive and is taken up in the humic acid matrix. This material is immediately available to plants as a carbon source.

Abstract: A fertilizer containing Ca, Mg and NH.sub.4 4, having a water content ranging between 15% and 35% in weight and a melting point ranging between 50 and 65 degrees C is prepared by etching of dolomite and/or limestone with nitric acid, neutralization, concentration and granulation (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of aqueous solutions polluted by nitrate ions. This process is characterised in that it consists in precipitating hydrated double or mixed calcium nitroaluminates, such as, in particular, hydrated calcium mononitroaluminate, by adding at least one agent supplying the element aluminium and at least one agent supplying the element calcium to the solutions to be treated, the overall mole ratio of the element aluminium to nitrate, Al/NO3, being superior to 1 and the overall mole ratio of calcium to nitrate, Ca/NO3, being superior to 2, and in that the precipitation reaction is performed with stirring and at a basic pH, preferably above 10.5.The process according to the invention is intende, in particular, to the treatment of polluted waters such as municipal waste water and factory effluents and to the treatment of liquid manure.

Abstract: Inclusion of certain hydrophilic organic gel-forming polymers, notably polyacrylamides, with relatively inexpensive soluble iron sulfate [FeSO.sub.4 or Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 ] significantly improves the efficiency of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils and can maintain supply of available iron to growing plants for periods up to about 12 weeks. These polymers may be mixed with iron-containing solutions to form suitable gels which are band applied in or near the seed row at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. Other soluble fertilizers of micronutrients such as copper, manganese, or zinc also may be included instead of, or with, iron sulfates in hydrogels of these polymers.

Abstract: Method and composition is disclosed for increasing the percentage of split-shell to non-split crops produced during crop harvest by the pre-harvest application of an aluminum treatment to crop plants.

Abstract: Method of enhancing the growth of plants in a soil or soil-like medium during a growing period is disclosed. The method comprises varying the ratio of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen in a fertilizer composition in proportion to the amount of light available to the plant, while maintaining a constant ratio in the composition of the amount of trace elements to the total amount of nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying calcium nitrate melt or solution separated from the mixture obtained by dissolution of rock phosphate with nitric acid. The melt contains fluorine and phosphorus as main contaminants. The mol-ratio phosphorus/fluorine in the crude calcium nitrate melt/solution is adjusted to 3.5>P/f>0.3, possibly by extra addition of a phosphorus compound, and the mixture is then neutralized by ammonia to pH=5-6. The precipitate thereby formed is removed while the filtrate, which is a purified nitrate of lime melt, is evaporated and further processed. The purification can be carried out in two stages, with a P/F-ratio in the first stage of 0.3-3 and 1-3.5 in the second stage. Phosphoric acid or a phosphoric acid containing solution is used as phosphorus compound.

Abstract: Calcium-urea nitrate [Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 ] is produced by means of a process, according to which:a liquid composition is prepared, at a temperature not higher than 170.degree. C., which contains urea and calcium nitrate, in a molar ratio to each other equal to, or approximately equal to, 4/1, and having a water content comprised within the range of from 0 to 15% by weight;said liquid composition is sprayed, through a spray nozzle, on previously formed solid particles of calcium-urea nitrate, kept moving at a temperature comprised within the range of from 40.degree. to approximately 100.degree. C., and under a stream of an inert gas;calcium-urea nitrate is recovered from said solid products from the spray.The so obtained calcium-urea nitrate is in the form of a granular and free-flowing solid, free from the tendency to form dusts, and is useful in agriculture as a nitrogenous fertilizer.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without preheating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidzing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: A depot fertilizer composition comprising an inorganic matrix and another inorganic and/or organic component of the formulaX Me(II)O.[(1-x)/2]Me(III).sub.2 O.sub.3.YA.zI.aqin whichMe (II) is at least one divalent metal,Me(III) is at least one trivalent metal,A is at least one inorganic acid or anhydride of an inorganic acid,I is at least one organic compound,aq is 0-9,X is from 0 to 1,Y is from 0.5 to 0.7, andZ is from 0 to 20,at least one of the components containing a plant nutrient element. The compositions are suited for fertilizing the leaves or full systems of plants growing in soil or in water.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously removing SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x from waste gases. Using a known desulfurization process the waste gases free of the acidic components are contacted with an oxidizing agent in the gas phase for the oxidation of the oxygen of nitrogen contained in the waste gases. The formed NO.sub.2 is absorbed in a subsequent absorbing stage under previous addition of NH.sub.3 and the thereby obtained absorbing product is oxidized to form ammonium nitrate in a subsequent oxidation stage with atmospheric oxygen and then reconveyed into the desulfurization process.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without preheating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidizing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without pre-heating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidizing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: To make and use nitrogenous fertilizer on a farm, nitrogen dioxide is prepared in a continuous process from air or from ammonia in a reactor, with the ammonia either being transported to the farm or being prepared on the farm in a continuous process from water and air. The nitrogen dioxide is mixed with a continuous flow of water to form a dilute solution of nitric acid, which may be applied to the field through the irrigation system as top dressing or mixed within the irrigation system with ammonia or other cations to form ammonium nitrate or other desired nitrogen solutions for application to the fields in a continuous process or concentrated without requiring storage of large amounts of gas or creating heat exchange problems in the manufacturing process. In the embodiment which burns ammonia, the nitrogen oxides are fixed on an 8 percent nickel stainless steel mesh in a column 10 feet high and one foot in diameter and oxidized while fixed to nitrogen dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ammonium nitrate or products having a high content of ammonium nitrate stabilized against swelling and break-down by thermal cycling, and a method for manufacturing such products. An amount of 0.05-1.0 weight % porous particles having a surface area of 150-400 m.sup.2 /g and a pore size of 100-300 .ANG.ngstroms are included in the products. As porous particles, preferably silicon dioxide particles having a surface area of 250-350 m.sup.2 /g and a pore size of 100-250 .ANG.ngstroms are used. The products are made by first drying granulated or prilled ammonium nitrate or products having a high content of ammonium nitrate and thereupon coating them with the porous particles, and if desired also adding a dust-binding agent and/or an anticaking agent. Ammonium nitrate thus conditioned is both as stable and porous as required for use in explosives and in addition it meets the requirements for so-called tropical grade ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: A process for producing particles of a non-friable eutectic mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate for solar power station use is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the particles are produced by shock chilling a molten stream of mixed nitrate material and crushing the resulting flakes to a size range of between about -5 mesh and about +30 mesh. In a second embodiment, particles of this size are produced by spray granulation of a concentrated solution of mixed nitrate salts onto a fluidized bed to produce dry, free-flowing, solid spheres. In both embodiments, the particles are extremely hard, resistant to moisture pickup and adaptable to being readily shipped by bulk containers.

Abstract: A process for preparing thermally stable ammonium nitrate-containing granules having high bulk density, high impact resistance, high crushing resistance, and little or no tendency to cake by spraying a liquid composition containing at most 15% by weight water, a stabilization agent, ammonium nitrate and other components into a fluidized bed of ammonium nitrate seed particles thereby forming granules and recovering the thus formed ammonium nitrate-containing granulated product.

Abstract: Stabilized NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 containing granules are produced by dissolving in an aqueous NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 solution Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and, if desired, suspending mineral filler, spraying the resulting solution or suspension over nuclei maintained in spaced interrelationship and contacted with a hot stream of gas at a temperature of the nuclei of between 120.degree. and 135.degree. C., and cooling the resulting granules in such a manner that, between 70.degree. C. and 50.degree. C., they remain substantially homogeneous in temperature.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained system for producing nitric acid from a supply of electricity and water, incorporates a nitrogen generating unit including a cabinet enclosing a manifold defining a plurality of series connected air combustion chambers each having one electrode concentric within a restricting orifice defined by a second electrode. The unit also includes an air compressor for supplying air which spirals through each combustion chamber to rotate the arc within the orifice, and each combustion chamber is exposed for viewing through a corresponding lens. The system also incorporates a liquid fertilizer generator unit including a closed plastic tank containing water and a submersible pump which recirculates the water through an aspirator where nitrogen gas is introduced into the water and then through a long plastic absorption tube coiled within the tank. The compressor also supplies additional oxygen to the tank for further converting nitrous oxide to nitric acid.

Abstract: Pressurized air is directed into a generally spherical combustion chamber to rotate an electrical arc within a circular aperture formed within an electrode element disposed within the center portion of the chamber. The air is directed through the aperture and the whirling arc to produce a nitrogen dioxide gas which is immediately aspirated into a recirculating flow of water. The water is directed through an elongated tube forming an absorption coil where the gas is absorbed into the water to form a dilute acid solution usable as a nitrate fertilizer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for solubilizing alumina in minerals, rocks or industrial waste products, in which the starting material in finely divided form is mixed with lime in an amount 1 to 3 moles or more of lime (CaO or Ca(OH).sub.2) for each mole of alumina and optionally 1 mole for each mole of any silica present in the starting material, and at the same time or thereafter with water, the resulting mix is maintained under hydrothermal conditions until the alumina has become solubilized by reaction with the lime, and the product is if necessary comminuted to bring it to a form suitable for leaching out of the solubilized alumina.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a significant reduction of creasing in citrus fruit. The method consists in applying an aqueous solution of urea phosphate to the citrus fruit. The urea phosphate can be applied alone or together with other conventional ingredients, micronutrients or fertilizers.

Abstract: My invention relates to a new method for purification of wet-process phosphoric acid with co-production of nitrogen solution. The crude acid is treated with urea by known processes to form urea phosphate free of most of the impurities in the crude acid. The urea phosphate is treated with concentrated nitric acid to form solid urea nitrate and phosphoric acid. The purified phosphoric acid is separated from the urea nitrate and withdrawn as product. The urea nitrate is washed with concentrated nitric acid and the wash soluton then is used for reaction with urea phosphate. The washed urea nitrate is then treated with ammonia and water to form nitrogen solution.

Abstract: Corrosion of carbon steel by an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and urea is inhibited by incorporating therein an effective amount of ammonium thiosulfate. The solution is particularly useful in correcting zinc deficiencies in plants when applied as a foliar spray.