<h2>Producing compound fertilizers: The nitrophosphate process</h2>
<p>The nitrophosphate process is one of the processes used to make complex fertilizers. It involves acidifying calcium phosphate (\(\text{Ca}_{3}(\text{PO}_{4})_{2}\)) with nitric acid to produce a mixture of phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate (\(\text{Ca}(\text{NO}_{3})_{2}\)):</p>
<p>\(\text{Ca}_{3}(\text{PO}_{4})_{2}(\text{s}) + 6\text{HNO}_{3}(\text{l}) + 12\text{H}_{2}\text{O}(\text{l})\) \(\to\) \(2\text{H}_{3}\text{PO}_{4}(\text{aq}) + 3\text{Ca}(\text{NO}_{3})_{2}(\text{aq}) + 12\text{H}_{2}\text{O}(\text{l})\)</p>
<p>When calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid react with ammonia, a compound fertilizer is produced.</p>
<p>\(\text{Ca}(\text{NO}_{3})_{2}(\text{s}) + 4\text{H}_{3}\text{PO}_{4}(\text{l}) + 8\text{NH}_{3}(\text{l})\) \(\to\) \(\text{CaHPO}_{4}(\text{s}) + 2\text{NH}_{4}\text{NO}_{3}(\text{s}) + 8(\text{NH}_{4})_{2}\text{HPO}_{4}(\text{s})\)</p>
<p>If potassium chloride or potassium sulfate is added, the result will be a NPK fertilizer.</p>
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Producing Compound Fertilizers

Chemistry generally explores the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and reactions, and the use of such reactions to form new substances. 

Chemistry

Discover the industrial production processes for fertilizers and the advantages and disadvantages of inorganic and organic fertilizers, explore the effects of pollutants like CO2, radon, and formaldehyde on indoor air quality and learn about the chemical processes behind natural phenomena like auroras and volcanic activity.


Producing Compound Fertilizers

Producing compound fertilizers: The nitrophosphate process

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