Abstract: An improved particulate, ammonium nitrate is prepared with 2.0-6.0 percent by weight potassium sulfate. The potassium sulfate suppresses crystalline phase IV.revreaction.III transitions in the ammonium nitrate particles while undergoing temperature variations between 18.degree.-42.degree. C. The resulting fertilizer, which may be further coated to further suppress dusting, exhibits superior resistance to caking, clumping and cracking.

Abstract: A method for producing a dry bonded solid nonionic surfactant/fertilizer adjuvant system comprising spray-coating dry water-soluble, nitrogen-containing fertilizer particles, preferably diammonium sulfate with the surfactant composition and the coated compositions produced thereby.

Abstract: Basic copper chloride having the empirical formula Cu(OH).sub.x Cl.sub.2-x is prepared from waste etchant streams. The compound exhibits properties that lends advantage to its use as a source of bioavailable copper in multinutrient fertilizer compositions. Novel fertilizer compositions for plant nutrition containing basic copper chloride as a bioavailable source of copper are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for granulating ammonium nitrate fertilizer with a nitrogen content of between 25% and 34% by weight, by forming a mix of NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3, limestone and/or dolomite, ammonium sulphate and/or ammonium phosphates and MgSO.sub.4, this latter being added in any one of its crystalline forms and its various degrees of hydration, then granulating or prilling, and cooling.

Abstract: The formation of dust or fines may be suppressed, during the granulation of ammonium nitrate having a nitrogen content of 28% to 34.5%, by a process in which ammonium nitrate is initially granulated to form a raw granulate containing fines, and thereafter heated and contacted by a hydrated sulfate during a second granulation step wherein the fines are affixed to the raw granulate.

Abstract: A binder composition is taught for the granulation of fine particulate fertilizer, which binder comprises an admixture of reactive carbonate, sulfate, silicate strengthener, and water dispersant, said binder being reactive in the presence of an acid activator.

Abstract: Synthetic inorganic chemical fertilizers are treated with lignosulfonate to harden and provide anti-caking and anti-dusting properties to the fertilizer particles. The fertilizer/lignosulfonate mixture includes up to about 5.0% by weight lignosulfonate on fertilizer. An improved method of treating inorganic fertilizers with lignosulfonate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stepwise method of preparing homogeneous mineral granules for agriculture by coreaction of commodity acids and bases which have properties to chemically form a transient fluid adhesive which will harden to form a strong granule binding cement. Water may be added to improve the effectiveness of the adhesive. The transient fluid adhesive is comminuted by mechanically shearing, then particulate mineral solids are admixed mechanically to form a mass of plastic globules which is rolled to form spheroid granules and the fluid adhesive hardens to form the hardened binding cement. The method provides substantially dust-free and attrition resistant animal feed supplement, and plant food fertilizer and micronutrient granules. The commodity acids and bases include aqueous and anhydrous mineral and alkyl carboxylic acids and alkali and alkaline earth bases.

Abstract: A solid product which comprises ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate and which contains a sulfamic acid compound is produced when an effluent gas having ammonia added thereto is irradiated with a radiation to thereby desulfurize and denitrate the effluent gas comprising SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x and CO, but the CO gas content being less than ten times the concentration of SO.sub.x. It is possible to remove the noxious sulfamic acid compound from the above-described product while preventing decomposition of the ammonium nitrate in the product which is useful as a fertilizer ingredient by heating the product at a temperature of from 130.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., particularly from 180.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: Synthetic inorganic chemical fertilizers are treated with lignosulfonate to harden and provide anticaking and anti-dusting properties to the fertilizer particles. The fertilizer/lignosulfonate mixture includes up to about 5.0% by weight lignosulfonate on fertilizer. An improved method of treating inorganic fertilizers with lignosulfonate is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dicyanodiamide is applied onto the surfaces of ammonium-containing and sulfate-containing fertilizers at a fertilizer temperature of from 60.degree. to 130.degree. C. by mixing with finely divided dicyanodiamide. An aqueous solution containing calcium nitrate is applied at the same time or directly thereafter, with further mixing.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the development of mycorrhizae in the root system of a plant. A quantity of a nutrient mixture is applied to the outside surfaces of the foliage of a plant rooted in a growth medium containing propagules of a fungus capable of mycorrhizal infection of the roots, the nutrient mixture containing a source of nitrogen and a source of at least one other element selected from among potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, boron, manganese, molybdenum, copper, and iron, in an aqueous vehicle. Such application is repeated at intervals over a period of time during which the supply of nutrients by fertilization is provided predominantly through such foliar application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to NPK-fertilizer manufactured during application of KCl and/or K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 as potassium source and which also contains magnesium in an amount of 0.2-3.0% calculated as MgO and added in the product as MgO, and method for manufacture of this product. The special features of the method is that to an evaporated nitrogen, phosphorous solution 0.2-3.0% reactive MgO and potassium salts are added before prilling or before/during granulation. MgO is preferably added as lightly calcined MgO having an average particle size of 0.2-3.0 mm, and is added in the mixer just before the prilling means. The new product has reduced tendency to swelling and caking.

Abstract: Methods of application and compositions of foliar fertilizers are specifically chosen to address crop nutritive demands varying with growth stage. Two separately timed applications of foliar fertilizers are described. One corresponds to a bud emergence or seedling germination stage of plant development and the other corresponds to a reproductive or fruiting period of the crop's life cycle. Concentrations of required nutrients are related to the amount removed in crop production. Leaf surface penetration enhancers are added to each foliar fertilizer to increase nutrient uptake by the plants.

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: A slow release particulate fertilizer comprising a carrier containing trace elements distributed homogeneously therein. The trace elements include salts or oxides of iron, manganese, zinc and copper in certain critical proportions. The carrier contains significant proportions of calcium and sulfur and is preferably gypsum. The composition is particularly suitable for use with soilless potting media for container grown ornamentals.

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 plate bed filter is operated by allowing the filter medium, i.e. granules to pass continually from top to bottom. The filters may be placed in pairs in a horizontal duct with blanking walls to guide all the gas being filtered to pass therethrough. Alternatively the filter may be located in a vertical duct.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of ammonium nitrate prills and granules in which a water soluble aluminium salt is added to the process stream prior to the concentrate, which is then used in the prilling or granulating process, being formed.

Abstract: An aqueous manganese micronutrient solution comprising between 0.1 and 2.0 wt. % of ferrous ion, about 5 wt. % manganous ion, between 1 and 1.5 moles of citric acid anion per mole of manganous ion and ammonia in an amount to maintain the pH of the solution between 7.5 and 12.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining fertilizing solution from fossil fueled stationary engines by adding carbon dioxide and nitrogenous compounds, derived from exhaust gases, and ozone gas derived from a generator, to water so as to produce a fertilizing solution which promotes crop growth. The method comprises direct contact of exhaust gases derived from fossil fueled combustion engines particularly natural gas fired compressors, with water solution containing ozone gas and an agent selected from the group consisting of lime, limestone, calcium phosphate and/or mixtures thereof in a scrubber, cooling the enriched water from the scrubber, recycling the cooled enriched water through the scrubber until a desired concentration of carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds are achieved and collecting the enriched water in a storage facility.

Abstract: A granulation process for the production of high purity granules of salt material comprising:(a) a wet blend formed by intensively mixing together(i) particles of soluble fine water-soluble salt having a relatively wide size distribution over the range of from about -30 to about +325 screen size (Tyler mesh),(ii) water insoluble particles of about -150 screen size (Tyler mesh) with surface area above 1 M.sup.2 /gr, and(iii) sufficient water or saturated water solution to provide a moisture content of up to about 20% and preferably in the range of from about 5 to 15% by weight of the mixture,(b) granulating the wet blend from (a), preferably by pan granulation, and(c) drying and recovering the granular product.The product comprises a granular salt product which has the properties of high purity (up to 99% salt), uniform size distribution in the range of from about 2 to 4 mm, a crush strength of greater than about 3 lb/granule and generally in the range of from about 5 to 10 lbs.

Abstract: A soil modifying composition and a concentrated solution of ammonium sulphate with a high purity degree are obtained from by-products consisting essentially of ferrous sulphate heptahydrate, obtained in the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenites by the sulphate process, by contacting solid particles of said by-products with gaseous ammonia, lixiviating the resulting product with water, thereby to recover said concentrated solution of ammonium sulphate, the dried residual solid yielding said soil modifying composition.

Abstract: The caking tendency of ammonium salt compositions during storage is reduced by coating the compositions with a minor amount of a hydroxy-aluminum polymer.