Abstract: A free-flowing fertilizer comprising: i) from 25 to 99.5% by weight of a powdered water soluble nitrogen containing fertilizer. ii) from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of a polyacrylamide liquid emulsion/dispersion. iii) from 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of a polyacrylamide powder whose particle size is primarily 50 to 100 mesh in size.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, water-disintegrable agglomerates made from a particulate calcium source, a water-soluble binder and optionally containing a primary plant nutrient source and/or micronutrient source and a process for forming such agglomerates are disclosed. The agglomerates may be used as a soil liming agent and for introducing nutrient values into cultivated soil. Also disclosed is a method for introducing nutrient values into cultivated soil so as to inhibit leaching of the nutrient values from the soil and improve utilization of the nutrient values by plants grown in the soil.

Abstract: A concentrated liquid adjuvant and fertilizer composition containing a nitrogen source, an ampholytic surfactant, a drift control agent/deposition aid, and a carrier is disclosed. The concentrated composition is phase stable, and provides a nitrogen source and/or adjuvant, and a drift control agent/deposition aid, in a single package.

Abstract: Solid inorganic particulate salts having increased hardness are produced by incorporating a novel additive composition comprised of ammonium sulfate and a naphthalene sulfonate compound.

Abstract: A dust control composition for and method of treating fertilizer particles, the composition comprising 10-100% by weight oxidized oil, 0-90% by weight non-oxidized oil, and 0-90% by weight wax. The fertilizer particle is selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphate, potash, granulated single super phosphate, granular triple super phosphate, NP-fertilizer and NPK-fertilizer. A preferred composition includes a composition of 30-90% by weight oxidized oil, 10-70% by weight non-oxidized oil, and 10-70% by weight wax. The oxidized oil is selected from the group consisting of corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, soy oil, linseed oil, castor oil, tall oil, mixtures thereof, and distillation products and distillation residues thereof.

Abstract: A method for the combined production of (I) a fertilizer selected from a group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphates or a combination thereof through an indirect neutralization of ammonia with an acid selected form a group consisting of nitric acid, phosphoric acid and a combination thereof and of (II) a sulfur compound selected from a group consisting of elemental sulfur, SO2, sulfuric acid and sulfate salts, said method comprising (a) contacting a sulfur oxide containing gas with ammonia and an aqueous liquor, whereby a sulfur oxide containing product is formed and the resulting gas has a reduced SO2 content; (b) reacting a sulfur oxide containing product resulting from step (a) with a reagent selected from a group consisting of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, a mixture thereof and salts formed by the reaction of said acids to form said fertilizer and a sulfur compund, and (c) separating at least a portion said sulfur compound from said fertilizer.

Abstract: The invention provides a synergistic composition useful as a nitrification inhibiting additive for ammonium producing fertilizers which comprises: (a) benzotriazole in the range of 2.5 to 50% (by wt % of the ammonium fertilizer), (b) metal chelating agent (cooper/nickel in the range from about 1 to 50% (by wt % of the ammonium) and ion binding compound and precursors and fertilizer.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, water-disintegrable agglomerates for use as a soil conditioner produced from cement kiln dust and other particulate calcium sources containing CaO or Ca(OH)2 and other calcium-containing compounds having the potential to be hydrated and a process for forming such agglomerates are disclosed. The process comprises combining the particulate calcium source 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: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer having a film covering fertilizer granules. This film comprises a polyurethane resin prepared by a method comprising the steps of (a) reacting an aromatic polyisocyanate with a first polyol component (i.e., castor oil or a castor oil derivative), thereby to obtain a prepolymer having terminal isocyanate groups in the molecule; and (b) reacting the prepolymer with a second polyol component (i.e., castor oil or a castor oil derivative) and a third polyol component which is an amine having at least two hydroxyl groups in the molecule, thereby to cure the prepolymer and thus to prepare the polyurethane resin. The invention relates to another coated granular fertilizer having a film covering fertilizer granules. This film comprises a urethane resin and aqueous-fluid-absorbing particles having a particle diameter of from 1 to 200 &mgr;m. This urethane resin may be the above polyurethane resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid water soluble fertilizer composition containing one or more fertilizer materials and a phosphate free, organic acid which is solid at ambient temperatures. The fertilizer materials include primary macro nutrients, secondary macro nutrients, micro nutrients and mixtures thereof. The organic acid has a water solubility of at least 10 g/l (at 25° C.) and an acidifying effect in the range of 0.5 to 1.3 g HCO3−/g acid. The acidifying effect is defined as the amount of HCO3− that can be transformed into H2CO3 per gram of acid and is calculated in accordance with the following formula: 61 ⁢ n M w , acid wherein Mw,acid is the molecular weight of said acid and n represents the number of dissociation constants (i.e., pKa values) of the acid below the value of 6.35.

Abstract: A process for treating animal manure, particularly poultry feces, with concentrated sulfuric acid (about 93 to 95% H2SO4). The product of the process can be used for treating agricultural soils.

Abstract: Granulated particles by making use an initial feedstock having particle size of −150 mesh and 90% or greater particle size of 200 mesh. The feedstock may be contacted in a pan granulator which includes a minor amount of nucleating material of about −35 mesh. Binder is introduced into the pan granulator to progressively layer the feedstock material onto the nucleating to form a final granular fertilizer or other product in any desired size distribution. The method by which the granules are formed is interruptible and is particularly useful for forming granules having a plurality of layers of differing material. The granules, by formation with dust feedstock and in the absence of seed material, lack a core and therefore include the maximum amount of tightly packed feedstock. This results in substantial increases in the break strength of the granules with uniform homogeneous cross-sections.

Abstract: A process of forming a mixture of diammonium phosphate and triammonium phosphate by the reaction of phosphoric acid with gaseous ammonia in a spray column. In the process, the reaction occurs under pressure. With the appropriate selection of the ammonia pressure and the phosphoric acid feed rate sprayed into the spray column, the amount of each of the diammonium phosphate and triammonium phosphate formed can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new selective process for producing high-purity potassium nitrate or potassium phosphate. The process uses a liquid agricultural or fermentation by-product, such as molasses, vinasse or potato thick juice as its potassium source and comprises the following unit operations: clarification, ion exchange, neutralization, concentration and crystallization. Importantly, the present invention also concerns a process for producing an ingredient for animal feed, said ingredient having a reduced potassium content.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of granular fertilizer grade DAP (a product composed of ammonium phosphates, principally diammonium phosphate, resulting from the ammoniation of phosphoric acid, as defined in Official Publication No. 52 of the Association of American Plant Food Officials, dated 1999) comprising partially preneutralizing orthophosphoric acid with ammonia, completing the ammoniation of the orthophosphoric acid with ammonia in a rotary ammoniator-granulator to provide granular DAP, sizing the granular DAP to provide the granular DAP product, reducing the particle size of the oversized granular DAP, and recycling the undersized granular DAP and the sized-reduced oversized granular DAP to the ammoniator-granulator.

Abstract: A dry, concentrated, fertilizer which is readily water-soluble and a method of applying the solubilized dilute fertilizer to crops to enhance crop production are described. The dry fertilizer contains a contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds, as well as a mixture of plant growth stimulators including at least one of each of growth promoters, vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates/polysaccharides, and adjuvants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer having a film covering fertilizer granules. This film comprises a polyurethane resin prepared by a method comprising the steps of (a) reacting an aromatic polyisocyanate with a first polyol component (i.e., castor oil or a castor oil derivative), thereby to obtain a prepolymer having terminal isocyanate groups in the molecule; and (b) reacting the prepolymer with a second polyol component (i.e., castor oil or a castor oil derivative) and a third polyol component which is an amine having at least two hydroxyl groups in the molecule, thereby to cure the prepolymer and thus to prepare the polyurethane resin. The invention relates to another coated granular fertilizer having a film covering fertilizer granules. This film comprises a urethane resin and aqueous-fluid-absorbing particles having a particle diameter of from 1 to 200 &mgr;m. This urethane resin may be the above polyurethane resin.

Abstract: Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers of the phosphorous variety are described which are absorbed quickly into plant systems and improve plant growth. Particularly described are fertilizers having a combination of phosphorous acid or its salts thereof, and either (a) polyphosphoric acid and its salts thereof; or (b) phosphoric acid and its salts thereof. This combination phosphorus fertilizer, when combined within a specific ratio range, increases phosphorus uptake to plants thereby enhancing plant growth.

Abstract: A controlled release fertilizer is provided which exhibits a Gaussian nutrient release rate pattern. The fertilizer composition includes a granular nutrient core material having a single layer coating of a substantially water-insoluble, uniform, substantially continuous polymer film thereon. Processes are also provided for producing the fertilizer compositions. Methods are also provided for treating plants with the fertilizer compositions.

Abstract: A method of coating fertilizer particles exhibiting porous surfaces under vacuum to form attrition resistant controlled release particulate fertilizers, by drawing a vacuum on the fertilizer particles and applying thereto a water insoluble fluid resin at about atmospheric pressure, so that the fluid resin is forced into the porous surfaces of the fertilizer particles by differences in pressure, and then hardening the fluid resin to form a solid resin, tenaciously bonded onto, and into, the porous surfaces of the fertilizer particles. Porous surfaced water soluble, slow releasing and sulfur coated, fertilizers may be effectively coated. Granular, briquetted, compacted and other special shaped fertilizers may also be effectively vacuum coated to provide controlled release products. Pesticides may also be effectively included in these attrition resistant products. Fertilizers are provided which exhibit substantially improved resistance to attrition.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided which comprises a peat material and an added source of nitrogen, said added source of nitrogen consisting of one of urea, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate and ammonia. A composition such as this may be used in a process for making a peat fertilizer in the form of granulars.

Abstract: Solids having a tendency to cake are treated with distillation heavies that are liquid at about 60.degree. C. or less and are obtained from production of a ketone having the formula:R.dbd.O,wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic, C.sub.4 to C.sub.18. The solids so treated have a reduced tendency to cake.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for the production of unsymmetrical polyurea-urethane coated granular fertilizer products, and to the unsymmetrical polyurea-urethane coated granular fertilizer products produced by these processes. These processes comprise coating fertilizer granules with compounds which react to form unsymmetrical polyurea-urethane coatings, then the compounds are polymerized. Suitable compounds comprise a) an organic polyisocyanate component, and b) an alkanolamine component containing at least one primary or secondary amine group and at least one hydroxyl group. These compounds are present in sufficient quantities that the NCO to active hydrogen group is from about 0.5:1.0 up to about 1.5:1.0. It is necessary that sufficient amounts of these compounds are applied to the fertilizer granules such that the unsymmetrical polyurea-urethane coated granular fertilizer particles contain from about 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stable, concentrated aqueous fertilizer suspension, which can be diluted with water to provide a working solution. The suspension contains 10 to 60% by weight of water and 40 to 90% by weight of a plant nutrient composition based on at least a calcium, and/or a magnesium and a phosphate ion, and the suspension comprises at least one plant nutrient containing water-insoluble solid particles with a particle size less than 50 .mu.m, the pH of the suspension being in the range of 0.5 to less than 2.

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: A controlled release fertiliser composition is provided having a fertiliser compound in a granular core with a coating applied on the core material. The fertiliser composition is structured to enable a cumulative release of fertiliser compound of less than 10% of the total weight of the fertiliser compound in the granular core within 30 days after exposure of the fertiliser composition to moisture and the coating consists of a single layer of a uniform, substantially continuous polymer film which is present on at least 90% of the granular core material A process is also provided for producing the fertiliser composition.

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: 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: 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: Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers are described which are absorbed quickly into plant systems and improve plant growth. Particularly described are fertilizers having a combination of phosphorous acid or its salts thereof, and either (a) polyphosphoric acid and its salts thereof; or (b) phosphoric acid and its salts thereof. This combination phosphorus fertilizer, when combined within a specific ratio range, increases phosphorus uptake to plants thereby enhancing plant growth.

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: The present invention relates to a controlled release fertilizer having water-soluble fertilizers as nucleus and limited-soluble plant nutrient compounds as coating layers, characterized in that more than two coating layers of limited-soluble compounds are formed around the nucleus, and that the release rates of the fertilizer can be controlled by regulating the solubilities of the limited-soluble compounds. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the controlled release fertilizer.

Abstract: A process for coating fertilizer granules in which a mixture of adhesive and additive is provided and the particles of the additive in the adhesive are ground to a desired size. The mixture of adhesive and ground additive is then applied to the surface of the fertilizer granules and agitated to evenly coat the granules without agglomeration. Either subsequently or in combination with the agitating the adhesive in the coating is dryed without agglomeration. The additive/adhesive mixture may be applied to the fertlizer granules by any method such as mixing in a stirred vessel or spraying.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided which comprises a peat material and an added source of nitrogen, said added source of nitrogen consisting of one of urea, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate and ammonia. A composition such as this may be used in a process for making a peat fertilizer in the form of granulars.

Abstract: Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers of the phosphorous variety are described which are absorbed quickly into plant systems and improve plant growth. When diluted with water, there is formed a substantially fully soluble fertilizer having a foilage-acceptable pH.

Abstract: A method of preparing a slow releasing fertilizer, including the steps of: I) putting twenty parts of inorganic fertilizer and one part of water by weight into a mixer for mixing into a mixture; II) heating the mixture to 105.degree. C.-115.degree. C. and continuously mixing it, therefore causing the mixture to change to liquid state; III) putting zeolite into the liquefied mixture at a volume of about 3 times of that of the inorganic fertilizer by weight, and then continuously heating and mixing until the liquefied fertilizer is absorbed completely by zeolite; IV) cooling down the liquefied mixture with air to below 80.degree. C., causing the mixture to return to the solid state condition; VI) continuously cooling solid state mixture with air to below 50.degree. C., then adding gelatinous substance to the mixture and continuously mixing it; VII) air drying the mixture into the desired finished product.

Abstract: There is disclosed a caking inhibitor for mono-and diammonium phosphates which is water soluble and effective at small concentrations rendering the phosphates acceptable in most utilities without separation of the inhibitor. The inhibitor is sodium sulfate. Effective amounts of this salt range from about 0.5 percent to about 1 percent by weight in the ammonium phosphates. It is particularly advantageous that this salt is useful in both types of ammonium phosphates.

Abstract: A particulate sulfur-based fertilizer comprising a uniform dispersion of sulfur and at least one member selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate and mixtures thereof, the sulfur having an average particle size of less than about 100 .mu.m. A process for producing a sulfur-based fertilizer is also described.

Abstract: A growth promoter for aquatic plants, which increases the carbonate concentration in water to promote the growth of aquatic plants and contains phosphate as an active component, and a method for applying said growth promoter, which comprises placing an aqueous solution or dispersion of the growth promoter in a container of which one end is narrowly opened and placing the container in water in a water tank thereby to allow the growth promoter to ooze through the narrowly opened end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing alkali metal phosphate, in particular monopotassium phosphate or its aqueous solution, by reacting fertilizer-grade phosphoric acid with alkali metal chloride at 350.degree. . . . 700.degree. C. to produce alkali metal metaphosphate, hydrolyzing thus obtained solid reaction product, removing the insoluble residue containing impurities from the hydrolysis solution in order to achieve a pure solution of alkali metal phosphate, and if further desired, crystallizing and separating the alkali metal phosphate from said aqueous solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of oxygen delivery vehicles, including peroxides of calcium, potassium and magnesium, to treat plant media having a negative reduction oxidation potential. The peroxides are preferably intercalated with phosphate ion which prolongs the period of time during which oxygen is released. The peroxides may be mixed with macronutrients, micronutrients or other beneficial additives or amendments, to provide fertilizers or applied direct to the media. Effective amounts of metals are used as bioactive agents for suppressing or enhancing the activity of microorganisms in the soil, depending on whether such microorganisms are detrimental or beneficial to plants. The formulations are useful in treating anaerobic associated disease states such as black layer in turf. The formulations are also useful in controlling post harvest potato soft rot and other microbial infection and disease states in plants.

Abstract: A new slow releasing particulate iron humate agricultural nutrient composition exhibiting substantially complete solubility of its iron content in soil solutions as indicated by neutral citrate solubilities, and almost no solubility in water, and a new method for preparing the composition. The method comprises admixing and coreacting iron humate with about equimolar amounts of a divalent metal oxide, an aqueous hydroxide of a monovalent Lewis acid, and a water soluble inorganic phosphate. The iron humate amounts to between 20 and 70 percent of the nutrient particles, and the reaction is carried out at temperatures between 60.degree. and 150.degree. C. for between 4 and 25 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soil fertilization method which includes a process for producing a fertilyzer by-product from an ammonia filtering media. The method includes the steps of providing a filter media containing phosphoric acid soaked particles. In addition, the method includes providing ammonia laden air. The ammonia laden air is passed through the filter media to remove ammonia from the air which is removed by a chemical reaction which converts the phosphoric acid soaked wood particles to ammonium phosphate coated wood particles. After substantially all of the wood particles are converted to ammonium phosphate wood particles, the filter media is collected and then applied to soil to fertilize and build the soil.

Abstract: Scrap aluminum is reclaimed by a salt flux-based reclamation process using potassium chloride in place of the commonly used sodium chloride. The spent flux which remains after the recovery of the aluminum is useful as a soil fertilizer, with the potassium content of the flux serving as a source of potassium nutrient for the soil. The potassium in the spent flux is highly water soluble at all values of pH while the aluminum in the spent flux remains at a limited solubility, particularly under the conditions expected to be encountered in soil. Thus, despite the known phytotoxicity of aluminum and the presence of aluminum in the spent flux, the spent flux is discovered to be useful as a plant fertilizer with the maximum benefit from the potassium and minimal if any harm from the aluminum.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing aqueous elemental phosphorus containing residues (sludges) to produce orthophosphate containing slurries suitable for subsequent reaction with ammonia to produce nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing fertilizer products. It comprises reacting aqueous elemental phosphorus containing residues with certain special mixtures of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid to effect the conversion of the elemental phosphorus content of the residues into mostly orthophosphoric acid and very little orthophosphorous acid with the relative ratios of orthophosphoric acid to orthophosphorous acid produced being dependent upon the weight ratio H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 :HNO.sub.3 employed in the processing. The reaction is conducted at the boiling point of the resulting aqueous reaction medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decontaminating soil by applying to the soil an oxygen delivery vehicle such as peroxides of calcium, potassium or magnesium or mixture thereof in an amount which substantially increases the population of microorganism in the soil that digest pollutants. Preferably, a surfactant and an oxygen release rate modifier are also included.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions useful as foliar fertilizers contain ammonium ion, at a phytotoxic concentration, and sufficient magnesium ion to minimize the phytotoxic effect of the ammonium ion when the solution is applied to plant foliage. Also provided is a method for foliarly fertilizing plants sensitive to ammonium ion with ammonic nitrogen-containing fertilizers which method comprises applying magnesium ion to the plant foliage either prior to, simultaneously with or after application of the ammonic fertilizer to reduce the sensitivity of the plants to ammonium ion.

Abstract: Process for converting phospho-gypsum waste product from the wet process of manufacturing phosphoric acid from phosphate rock by ammoniating said product at a pH of 6.5 or less and adjusting the phosphorus and potassium values of said ammoniated product by addition of one or more sources of potassium and phosphorus.

Abstract: Potassium phosphate useful as a low-chloride content fertilizer is prepared by reacting phosphoric acid, commercial or technical grade, with fertilizer-grade potassium chloride (Muriate of Potash, 60-63% K.sub.2 O) at a reaction temperature of about 130.degree. C. and a mole ratio of phosphorus to potassium of at least about 1.3:1. The vaporization of hydrogen chloride from the reaction mixture is effected by a novel technique combining air followed by steam stripping. The reaction product is used to produce various types as well as grades of fertilizers. The procedure may be used to form sodium phosphate in analogous manner from sodium chloride, which then may be converted to trisodium phosphate or sodium tripolyphosphate. The potassium phosphate may be converted to potassium pyrophosphate by neutralization with potassium hydroxide followed by calcination.