AMMONIUM NITRATE – OVERVIEW Chemical Formula: NH₄...

AMMONIUM NITRATE – OVERVIEW Chemical Formula: NH₄NO₃ Molecular Weight: 80.04 g/mol Physical Form: White crystalline solid or prills Nature: Highly soluble, hygroscopic, and explosive under certain conditions Main Use: Fertilizer and explosive industry ⚗️ RAW MATERIALS REQUIRED Material Formula Purpose Ammonia NH₃ Provides ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) Nitric Acid (68–70%) HNO₃ Provides nitrate ion (NO₃⁻) Water H₂O Acts as solvent and heat sink 🔬 CHEMICAL REACTION Neutralization Reaction: objectivec Copy Edit NH₃ + HNO₃ → NH₄NO₃ + Heat (exothermic) The reaction is strongly exothermic. Produces a hot ammonium nitrate solution, which must be cooled and concentrated. 🏭 MANUFACTURING PROCESS (INDUSTRIAL SCALE) ✅ Step 1: Neutralization Ammonia gas is bubbled into a nitric acid solution inside a stainless steel neutralizer reactor. Temperature is maintained between 105–120°C, pressure at 2–4 atm. A hot (~80–90%) aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate is formed. ✅ Step 2: Evaporation The solution is transferred to an evaporator to concentrate it to 95–99%. Steam or vacuum evaporation used. Care taken to avoid decomposition or detonation risks. ✅ Step 3: Solidification (Optional) The concentrated solution is sprayed through prilling towers or granulators. Cooled air helps solidify the droplets into prills or granules. ✅ Step 4: Coating and Packaging Prills are coated with anti-caking agents (e.g. kaolin, magnesium stearate). Final product is packaged in moisture-proof bags. 🧯 SAFETY NOTES Highly explosive under confinement or contamination with organic materials. Strict controls on temperature, pressure, and impurities are mandatory. Use ATEX-rated (explosion-proof) equipment and handle under regulated environments. 📦 YIELD ESTIMATE (Per 100 kg batch) Input Quantity Ammonia (NH₃) ~32 kg Nitric Acid (HNO₃) ~68 kg Output: NH₄NO₃ ~100 kg 🏭 USES OF AMMONIUM NITRATE IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES Industry Application Fertilizer High-nitrogen fertilizer (34% N) for crops like wheat, maize, sugarcane Mining & Explosives Main component of ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate–Fuel Oil) for blasting in quarries Construction Explosives in rock excavation, road building Cold Packs Used in instant cold packs (endothermic reaction with water) Pyrotechnics Component in smoke bombs, flash powder (carefully stabilized) Chemical Industry Intermediate for producing nitrous oxide, urea nitrate, etc. ⚠️ LEGAL & REGULATORY CONTROL Ammonium nitrate is a regulated substance in many countries due to its misuse in explosives. Transport, storage, and use require compliance with explosives and fertilizer regulations.