Fertilizers and Nitrogen Solutions

1 Production of Nonpressure Urea-Ammonium Nitrate Solutions.277 

The large-scale manufacture and use of fluid fertilizers began about 40 years ago. Fluids - the major source of nitrogen in the United States - are rapidly gaining popularity in France, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and Israel. Fluids are used to a lesser degree in Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Colombia [1]. 

The former Soviet Union, now the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), was the second largest consumer of liquids the CIS, however, comprises several different countries. The East European countries also consume significant amounts of fluid fertilizers. 

Fluid fertilizers are usually divided into two distinct types solutions and suspensions. Solutions are defined as fluids, the ingredients of which are in solution. Solutions may be clear or of a particular color. Sometimes a coloring agent is added so that a particular liquid can be distinguished from another liquid. Sometimes color is imparted by soluble impurities. The important factor is that all ingredients are in solution and it is necessary that they remain in solution. A suspension is defined as 

The term fluid fertilizers as used in this chapter refers to fertilizers such as anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia, nonpressure nitrogen solutions (28% to 32% N), liquid mixed fertilizer, and suspensions. Production of anhydrous ammonia, urea, and ammonium nitrate are presented in other chapters however, the use of these materials to produce fluids and their application will be discussed in this chapter. 

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