Other Nitrogen Compounds Used as Fertilizers

Before the availability of synthetic ammonia and its derivatives, sodium nitrate of natural origin was the primary source of nitric add and chemical nitrogen for fertilizer purposes in many countries. Most of this nitrate originated in Chile, where it is found prindpally in a large ore body nearly 500 miles lor and 10-15 miles wide on the eastern part of the Chilean coastal range. Nitrate production remains a primary industry in Chile. 

Industrial applications include meat preservation, heat treatment of metals, and use as a flux in the ceramic and metallurgical industries, 

1 Properties of Sodium Nitrate - Sodium nitrate is a white crystalline substance with an N content of about 16% and a sodium content of about 27%. Some properties of sodium nitrate are given in Table 8.24. 

Sodium nitrate produced by the Guggenheim method from caliche is usually a crystalline product about 48 mesh in size the product contains approximately 3.5% of free moisture. Prilled product contains about 98% sodium nitrate and 0,2%-0.3% free moisture, and the size of the product is in the range of 10-20 mesh. 

Synthetic sodium nitrate produced in the CIS is a crystalline material. Two grades having standard properties and analyses that are produced (GOST-828-77) in CIS countries are listed in Table 8.25. 

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