Abstract: A method of preparing high integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture by heating natural nitrogenous materials under alkaline conditions until the materials develop adhesive properties, forming the materials into granules by mechanical means, and heating the natural nitrogenous granules until they harden; and the compositions formed by this method. The granules for agriculture include natural fertilizers, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and natural animal feed protein supplements. The method also provides natural based plant food and animal feed supplement granules containing natural or synthetic additive substances which are useful in agriculture. The natural materials used in the method include poultry waste, poultry feather meal, hair meal, seafood meal, blood meal, bone meal, soybean meal, food waste, and grain by-products.

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 process for preparing suspension fertilizers wherein nutrient material and at least one crystal growth inhibitor are mixed, potassium chloride is added, the resultant slurry mixed and subsequently a suspending aid, for example a clay, is added with mixing.

Abstract: An improved process for economically and effectively granulating solid, finely-divided, particulate feedstock comprising phosphogypsum, limestone, or mixtures comprising sulfogypsum, natural or mineral gypsum, or mixtures thereof and limestone and having from about 80 to 95 percent by weight of such sulfogypsum/mineral gypsum to effect products which exhibit excellent physical and chemical properties relative to dustiness, storage, handling, and perhaps most importantly, aqueous media-induced rapidity of reversion to a mesh-size distribution of particles substantially similar to the initial size distribution of said feedstock, which improved process involves introducing such relatively finely-divided feedstock, together with material comprising recycle thereof into a suitable agglomeration device, such as a rotary drum, and therein effecting agglomeration/granulation of such feedstock in the presence of aqueous media, the improvement comprising the utilization, in combination with said aqueous media, of relat

Abstract: Soils are fertilized by a method in which ammonium syngenite (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4.CaSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O or a mixture of finely divided ammonium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride and/or dicalcium phosphate is applied to these soils, as a slow-acting nitrogen fertilizer, with the proviso that the molar ratio of Ca to SO.sub.4.sup.-- in the mixture is 1:2.+-.10%.

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: A process providing solubilization of phosphate rock by contacting the rock with sulfurous acid in the presence of an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. Use of sulfurous acid in combination with a substoichiometric amount of hydrogen peroxide significantly enhances the solubilization of phosphate rock.

Abstract: An aqueous magnesium oxide suspension is disclosed which comprises from about 15 to about 50 percent by weight MgO, based on the combined weight of water, MgO, suspension aid, and anti-hydration agent. Suspension aids such as Xzanthan gum and guar gum are utilized in the presence of a lignin sulfonate anti-hydration agents to provide a highly stable concentrated suspension, useful as a base for fertilizers, animal feeds, etc.

Abstract: A method of granulating of water soluble fertilizers which contain kieserite with a mass content of between 25 and 100% and which have primary particles within a very wide grain spectrum with a fraction of at least 20% under 0.09 mm, includes the steps of providing a granulating material including kieserite, applying to the granulated material moisturizing liquid, prior to or during applying the moisturing liquid adding to the granulating material soluble and/or somewhat collodial soluble substances from the class of mono-, di- and polysaccharide and/or their simple hydrophilic derivatives in solid form or in a solution in which they provide a main part, in a dose of between 0.1 and 5% dry mass relative to a dry weight of the fresh granulated material, forming the granules, and drying the granules after their formation to a residual moisture of 1 to 6% of kieserite mass contained in them.

Abstract: Anti-caking composition for nitrogen-containing material consisting essentially of ammonium salts useful as an ingredient of fertilizer and normally posing a problem with respect to caking. The composition includes at least one sulfate anti-caking agent such as sodium alkyl sulfates, potassium alkyl sulfates or monoethanolammonium alkyl sulfate, diethanolammonium alkyl sulfate and triethanolammonium alkyl sulfate.

Abstract: An improved process for more economically and effectively producing crystalline by-product ammonium sulfate (A/S) by granulating crystalline by-product A/S feedstock and recycle material together with an A/S-sulfuric acid-granulation aid-particle hardener solution and ammonia to bind the crystals together. Underlying the gist of the improvement concept is the identification of a low-cost readily available lignosulfonate by-product of the pulp and paper industry which, when used in predetermined and relatively small proportions, has now been discovered to be very satisfactory as a granulation aid-particle hardener for granulating such by-product ammonium sulfate crystals. Use of lignosulfonate instead of alum, as is currently practiced, reduces the manufacturing cost of granulating by-product ammonium sulfate by about as much as one dollar per short ton of product.

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: A process is disclosed for the production of potassium sulfate from potassium chloride by means of a sulfate-laden anion exchanger, according to which as reaction solution, the exchanger is intensively contacted with a saturated potassium chloride solution, after saturation with potassium sulfate, and thereupon again separated, whereupon from this solution the crystals formed therein are separated, while the depleted anion exchanger is regenerated by intensive contact with a magnesium sulfate solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously making products in dry-phase in an exothermic reaction includes a chamber having a mixer disposed at the bottom thereof with a reaction chamber above the mixer. First and second inlets are provided for introducing reactant materials into the reaction chamber at a position above the mixer. The mixer projects the solid particles into the reaction chamber in order to interact and produce the final product while an expansion chamber is provided above the reaction chamber for evacuating the resulting gas.

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: Corrosion of carbon steel storage and mixing equipment is inhibited by admixing an effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of ammonium polyphosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate with an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate useful as a fertilizer.

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 process for granulating crystalline by-product ammonium sulfate, hereinafter referred to, for the sake of convenience, as A/S, to produce a product having excellent physical and chemical properties as they relate to the storage and handling thereof and also as they relate to the bulk blending of same with other fertilizer blend materials. The method involves introducing the crystalline by-product A/S feedstock, together with recycle material, into a conventional drum ammoniator granulator and granulating the mixture using A/S-sulfuric acid-alum solution and gaseous anhydrous ammonia to bind the crystals together by virtue of the fresh A/S produced and precipitated. Drying in a rotary drum dryer by countercurrent flow of hot gases instead of the more conventional cocurrent gas flow is required.

Abstract: Boron, in suitable compound form in an aqueous composition, is applied to a crop area, the composition having been prepared by diluting a storage-stable concentrate formed by making a solution of the boron compound, and dispersing fine particles of the same or any different such boron compound in the solution, such that the concentration of boron in the concentrate is greater than in a saturated solution.

Abstract: A fertilizer product consisting of solid, substantially dry, spherical or semi-spherical granules of ammonium sulfate and sewage sludge solids is formed by adding to a quantity of crystalline ammonium sulfate in a mixing vessel a second quantity of water-laden sludge while mixing the two together and driving off water from the sludge until granulation is complete. The sludge is added slowly enough, relative to the rate at which water is removed therefrom, that the ammonium sulfate crystals do not dissolve in the water initially contained in the sludge. Sludge solids effectively fill the voids between individual ammonium sulfate crystals in the resulting granules, thereby producing an end product of improved size and shape.

Abstract: Sandy soils, e.g., loess-containing desert soils, are treated with an aqueous dispersion of pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide and/or corresponding mixed oxides of silicon to achieve consolidation of the sand.

Abstract: Corrosion of carbon steel storage and mixing equipment is inhibited by admixing an effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of ammonium polyphosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate with an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate useful as a fertilizer.

Abstract: A plant fertilizer composition comprises an admixture of particulate coal containing releasable plant nutrients, sodium molybdate for releasing said plant nutrients and auxiliary plant nutrient agents.

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 method is provided for reducing ammonia volatilization loss from ammoniated fertilizers and urea-containing fertilizers which have been applied to the surface of the soil. The fertilizer is applied in the presence of a water soluble compound that (a) has a saturated solution pH between about 5.0 to about 8.0 and (b) in a hydrolyzing system with the soil and the fertilizer will form carbonates having a solubility above about 10.sup.-10 grams per liter. The amount of the water soluble compound is that which is sufficient to suppress the formation of hydroxyl ions that otherwise would be produced in the soil according to the reactionYCO.sub.3 +H.sub.2 O.revreaction.Y(OH).sub.2 +CO.sub.2with Y=calcium or magnesium.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the manufacture of compressed fertilizer pellets for dispensing sulfur and magnesium and at least one of the essential elements selected from nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous, the pellets are formed by compressing a compound containing at least one of the essential elements with a hydrated magnesium sulfate containing at least four moles of water of hydration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer composition in the form of a dry dosage unit intended to be dissolved in a watering water and thereby to adjust the water with regard to its pH and chlorine content, whereby the fertilizer comprises, besides mineral nutrients, two or polyvalent acids or acid salts for pH-adjustment and a water soluble thiosulphate for the reduction of chlorine present in the water.

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: A small amount of chlorine contained in the converted potassium sulfate obtained by dry-mixing and heating potassium chloride with sulfuric acid or potassium hydrogensulfate can greatly be reduced by totally pulverizing the potassium sulfate to 60 mesh pass, and then calcining at 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. for 5 minutes to one hour. The chlorine content is further reduced by adding a small amount of water or dilute sulfuric acid prior to calcination.

Abstract: A composition comprising an agricultural fertilizer and pellets is disclosed. The fertilizer and the pellets are predominantly in the minus six plus thirty mesh size. The pellets consist essentially of at least one hydroxide, oxide or carbonate of calcium, magnesium or both, and constitute from 5 to 90 percent by weight of the composition. The pellets contain at least 2 percent by weight of calcium, magnesium or both in the form of the oxide, the hydroxide or both, calculated as the oxide.

Abstract: Alkali metal or alkaline earth metal peroxides, for example, particularly, calcium peroxide, are produced by recovering a moist peroxide product from an aqueous mixture, formed by reacting hydrogen peroxide and a hydroxide or oxide of the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, and drying the moist product by means of a pneumatic conveyer drier. The peroxide so produced is suitable for granulation. Alternatively, particulate substances, such as seed, are coated with the peroxide by blending with the moist peroxide product and passing the blend through the pneumatic conveyer drier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new azulmic acids stabilized by condensation with carbonyl compounds, several processes for their preparation and their use for various purposes.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous fossil fuels such as coal, lignite and peat are treated with an aqueous medium containing a novel catalyst to remove undesirable constituents and produce valuable products. The catalyst is prepared by steps including admixing a water soluble alkali metal silicate with an aqueous medium containing carefully controlled amounts of dissolved water soluble substances which are sources of calcium ion and magnesium ion, reacting the same to produce an aqueous colloidal suspension of the reaction product, admixing a micelle-forming surfactant with the aqueous medium, and agitating the aqueous medium containing the colloidal particles and surfactant to form catalyst-containing micelles. Particles of the fossil fuel, or components thereof, are treated and solubilized in the aqueous catalyst suspension to produce a novel aqueous solution which has highly unusual and unexpected properties. The resultant solution has important applications in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Abstract: Fertilizers coated with coating layer having a controlled moisture permeability and a controlled temperature dependency of moisture permeability are presented by the production method which comprises ejecting hot drying air to the spout of granular fertilizer and spraying a hot solution of polyolefin type resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or vinylidene type resin upon said fertilizer granules and drying said fertilizer granules upon being sprayed with solution having the property capable of forming a solution while it is hot but turning into jelly-like gel when it is cooled but as a most characteristic feature of this method uniformly dispersed fine powder is incorporated in said drying air or in said solution so as to have a coated layer of said resin containing uniformly distributed fine powder.

Abstract: A homogeneous, zinc-containing liquid fertilizer concentrate is prepared by mixing, in aqueous solution, ammonium thiosulfate and zinc oxide. This zinc-containing concentrate is suitable for mixing with a liquid fertilizer preparation such as aqueous ammonium polyphosphate to prepare a complete zinc-containing fertilizer solution. The nutrient value of the concentrate and the fertilizer can be enhanced by the addition of a potassium salt or nitrogen solution. The long-term stability of the fertilizer solution can be improved by the addition of attapulgus clay.

Abstract: Low molecular weight alkanoic acids and alkanoate anions thereof, particularly acetic acid and acetate ion, are effective in enhancing the ability of nitrogen fertilizers to promote plant growth and productivity.

Abstract: A process of producing a potassium sulfate salt comprising reacting sulfuric acid with potassium chloride at an equivalent ratio of sulfuric acid to potassium chloride of 1.07 to 1.40 at a temperature of from the melting point of potassium bisulfate to about 500.degree. C. while allowing the resulting solid-liquid mixture at the final reaction stage to be substantially in a state of wet cake, said potassium bisulfate being present in the reaction system until the termination of the reaction because of the excess sulfuric acid. In such a process, the reaction proceeds smoothly at a relatively low temperature and is completed in an extremely shortened period of time to produce a potassium sulfate salt with an extremely low chlorine content which is useful as a raw material for the production of potassium-containing chemical manures to be suitably applied onto the farmland of tobacco etc. which are apt to have their growth hampered by chlorine values.

Abstract: Particulate, easy to handle, inexpensive combination soil amendments and micronutrient sources are disclosed along with methods for their manufacture and use. These compositions comprise highly porous sulfur particles having substantial internal surface area with the micronutrient source dispersed either throughout the sulfur matrix or over the interior surfaces. Major plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can also be added but are not essential. These methods allow the use of inexpensive, abundant starting materials, afford slow release sulfur and micronutrient solubility and mobility, reduced micronutrient loss by elution, and minimum ground water pollution and plant toxicity problems associated with heavy metal contamination.

Abstract: An improved method of producing potassium sulfate from langbeinite. The improved method employs a "salting out" step to remove additional KCl from the mother liquor resulting from K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 crystallization. NaCl is added to the mother liquor to cause precipitation of KCl crystals. The amount of NaCl added is controlled to an amount below the saturation point for NaCl in the solution to avoid contaminating the KCl with solid NaCl. The KCl crystals are recycled back to the K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 reactors as a source of KCl. The "salting out" step eliminates an energy-intensive submerged combustion evaporation step from the K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 recovery process and consequently reduces atmospheric emissions.

Abstract: A liquid fertilizer comprises a polyborate compound. The polyborate compound is formed by reacting a boric acid compound with an alkanolamine or an aliphatic polyamine.

Abstract: Micronutrient fertilizer consisting of iron, manganese, copper, boron, and zinc in which the manganese-to-iron ratio is 8 to 20%, the copper-to-iron ratio is 5 to 10%, the boron-to-iron ratio is 0.4 to 1.0%, and the zinc-to-iron ratio is 6 to 12%.

Abstract: A process for producing a citric acid soluble potassium silicate fertilizer comprises a step for kneading a mixture consisting essentially of potassium carbonate, fly ash, pulverized coal, other necessary starting materials and a caustic potash solution as a binder and then granulating the kneaded mixture, a step for drying the granulated product to a nearly absolutely dry state, and a step for calcining the dried granular product, whereby a chemical reaction takes place between the potassium and the silicon present in fly ash to convert them into a citric acid soluble potassium silicate.

Abstract: Ammonium sulfate in dissolved form is dried in a gas current to obtain the ammonium sulfate in finely divided form. Thereafter the ammonium sulfate is quickly placed into a pelletizing device, subjected to a fine water spray, pelletized to substantially uniform grain size, and dried if necessary and/or desired.

Abstract: The preparation of dry, stable granular material from water-soluble potassium and ammonium salts and a mixture thereof by subjecting a dispersion of crystals of the salt in an aqueous liquid to the action of a granulating device in the presence of calcium sulphate hemihydrate and a hydrophilic surface active agent to effect agglomeration of said crystals, and thereafter subjecting the agglomerated crystals to a drying operation.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method for stimulating growth in a foliage plant. The method comprises potting the plant in a conventional potting medium to which there has been added a humate which was previously associated with a rutile sand deposit. The disclosure is also of improved potting mediums for foliage plants, which include rutile sand deposit derived humate.

Abstract: Method for the production of a liquid fertilizer and respectively fertilizer concentrate, starting from an aqueous suspension and solution, respectively, of Haselgebirge and respectively or Werklaist, by addition of calcium carbide with stirring.

Abstract: This invention concerns polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical and Het is a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic system having a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur hetero atom. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture and as coating for delivering beneficial agents such as fertilizers.

Abstract: Novel ionic compounds of the class[Fe{CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 }.sub.n (H.sub.2 O).sub.6-n ].sup.++ SO.sub.4.sup.--wherein n is 2, 3, 4 or 5, are produced by solid state reaction between a ferrous sulfate hydrate and urea under extended intensive physical impingement conditions, as for example by ball milling for a period in excess of 2 hours, until particles of an unusual characteristic shape are formed. Uses of the compounds include correcting iron deficiencies in plants.