Fertilizers, fluid nitrogen solutions production

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. 

Mention was made earlier of the significant quantity of nitrogen applied to farmlands in the form of urea-ammonium nitrate solution and aqua ammonia. Since the late 1950s, there has also been a growing practice of applying mixed fertilizers (NP and NPK) in fluid form. In fact, the growth of the fluids market paralleled bulk-blended products. In 2002/03 about 25 million mt of fluids was produced and corresponded to 7 percent of the world production. North America, and Europe are major markets for fluids. Fluids are also used in high-value crops in some countries of the Middle East and Latin America. 

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