Fertilizer Manual

Fertilizer

Manual This manual is a successor to and in part a revision of the IFDC/UNIDO

Fertilizer Manual Published in December 1979

Editors: ___ _________ ______ , ________

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and

International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC).

Kluvver Academic Publishers in cooperation with:

MfUmfl Unitcd Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ^^^^ Vienna, Austria

ffiferif* International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) JV-ftJ^ Muscle Shoals, Alabama (U.S.A.)

li-A

A C.I.P. Catalogue record for this book is available.from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 0-7923-5032-4(HB) ISBN 0-7923-501 l-l(PB)

Published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, P.O. Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Hardbound Edition:

Sold and distributed in the U.S.A. and Canada

by Kluwer Academic Publishers,

101 Philip Drive, Nonvell, MA 02061, U.S.A.

In all other countries, sold and distributed

by Kluwer Academic Publishers,

P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Softbound Edition: Sold and distributed by

IFDC,

P.O. Box 2040, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661, U.S.A.

Printed. on acid-free paper

This manual has been prepared by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International

Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) vvithin UNIDO project XP/GLO/93/094.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Secretariat of

UNIDO or of IFDC.

Mention of firm names and commercial products does not imply the endorsement of UNIDO or IFDC.

Copyright 1998,(year of first publication), by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and

International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). All Rights Reserved.

No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

written permission from the copyright owner.

Printed in the Netherlands

Prefacc

According to the United Nations, vvorld population will reach 8.5 x 109 in 2025. Over 93% of the

grovvth will occur in the developing countries. Such unprecedented growth in population will create

equally unprecedented pressures on the natural resource base-iand, water, and air-to produce adequate

food, fiber, and raw materials to meet the growing demand.

3

The United Nations projects that the number of people living in absolute poverty will increase from 1.2

x 109 today to 1.5 x 109 by 2025. Today more than 700 million people in the developing countries do not

have access to sufficient food to lead healthy, productive lives. If current trends in population growth

and food production continue, by the year 2025, the World Bank estimates that Africa alone will have an

annual food shortage of 250 million tonnes.

To solve these seemingly insurmountable problems, the United Nations forecasts that agricultural

output must be tripled and people must have the income to buy it. With increasingly limited land under

cultivation, sustainable food security cannot be achieved without the benefits of intensified

agriculture-the key to alleviating poverty. The adoption of improved technology and the application of

modern inputs of agriculture, including inorganic and organic fertilizers, can significantly boost food

supply and help to protect the environment. In fact, Dr. Norman Borlaug, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize

recipient, has said that "the use of chemical fertilizers must be ex- panded two- to_threefold to-

maintain- soiliertility--and produGtivity in the developing countries over the next 25 years if the world is

to feed itself."

The publication of this edition of the Fertilizer Manual is timely in that the World Food Summit was

held in Rome in November 1996. At this Summit, policymakers from around the world discussed the

global challenges created by a burgeoning population, shrinking land area available for food production,

and mounting food insecurity.

The last revision of the Fertilizer Manual was published in 1979. Since that time major advances in

fertilizer technology have occurred whereby more energy-efficient processes and reductions in the cost of

production have resulted. This edition of the Fertilizer Manual pro- vides planners with information on

these new advances.

Editorial Note

In the 3rd edition of the Fertilizer Manual, basic information from the 2nd edition has been retained.

The contents of the chapters were reviewed by consultants; professionals in the given fields of

agronomics, technology, and economics. The names of contributors are as follows: Chapter 1 - D. W.

Rutland (IFDC); Chapter 2 - B. H. Byrnes (IFDC); Chapter 3 - W. C. Brummit (IFDC); Chapter 4 - B . L .

Bumb (IFDC); Chapter 5 - S. J. Van Kauwenbergh, T.A.B. Lawendy, and J. W. Foster (IFDC); D. E.

Garrett, P. Rozwadowski, and B. Groover (UNIDO); Chapters 6 and 7 - B. Groover (UNIDO); Chapter 8 -

D. P. Aleinov (UNIDO); Chapter 9 - J. R. Lazo de la Vega and G. R. Coleman (IFDC); Chapter 10 - F. P.

Achorn (UNIDO); Chapter 11 - P. Rozwadowski (UNIDO); Chapters 12,13, and 14 - A. Davister (UNIDO);

Chapter 15 - D. E. Garrett (UNIDO); Chapter 16 - J. J. Schultz (IFDC); Chapter 17 - J. Mortvedt and R.

G. Lee (IFDC); Chapter 18 - D. W. Rutland (IFDC); Chapters 19, 20, and 22 - J. A. Kopytowski (UNIDO)

(S. A. Ahmed from East West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, contributed with the EWC methodology on

projection of fertilizers consumption); Chapter 21 - D. E. Nichols, J. R. Polo, and D. I. Gregory (IFDC).

The technical editors of the Fertilizer Manual were R. G. Lee (IFDC) and J. A. Kopytowski (UNIDO).

Internationally acknowledged fertilizer manufacturers, licensors, and engineering companies were

asked to contribute nonconfidential information related to their processes. The following companies

responded and their special contribution is appre- ciated and acknowledged in the Fertilizer Manual

where needed: Babcock-King-Wilkinson, Chiyoda Corp., Lurgi GmbH, Snamprogetti SpA, M. W. Kellogg,

H. Topsoe, Kemira Engineer- ing Oy, Uhde GmbH, Stamicarbon SA, and Raytheon Engineers. Other

companies' processes are described on the basis of publicly available information. Also information

published by IFDC in workshop proceedings from 1990 to 1995 was used in some chapters, and

references to this information are given. The information from these workshops has been especially

useful in preparation of Chapters 2, 16, 19, and 21.

IFDC and UNIDO have used their best efforts in development of the information contained in the

Fertilizer Manual. The use of the information contained herein shall be at the sole discre- tion of the

user. It is unavoidable in a work of this magnitude that some of the information will require frequent

updating. Readers should keep in mind that when authors refer to "current" or "present" situations, they

usually mean 1996 unless otherwise specified.

Special thanks are extended to the following collaborators in the preparation of this manual.

R. Rejewski (UNIDO) - preparation of the flow diagrams.

Marie R. Stribling, Elizabeth N. Roth, and Marie K. Thompson (IFDC) - proofing and editing.

Lynda F. Young (IFDC) - computer graphics.

Jane L. Goss, Alicia K. Hall, Janice C. Gautney, and Donna W. Venable (IFDC) - word

processing and layout.

The contribution by Donna W. Venable is especially recognized.

v

Acronyms of Organizations

AAPFCO .......................................................................... Association of American Plant Food Control Officials

APC ............................................................................................................................. Arab Potash Company

APPER .................................................................................... African Priority Program of Economic Recovery

BASF ........................................................................................................ Badische Anilin-und Soda-Fabrik

BFL .......................................................................................................................Beladune Fertilizers Limited

BP ....................... ............................................... ............................................................. British Petroleum

CERPHOS ......................................... ................... Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches des Phosphates Mineraux

CFCA ............................................................................................. Co-Operative Farm Chemical Association

CFL .................. .......... .................................................................................... Coromandel Fertilizers LimitecL

CIL ................ ......... : ......................................................................................... Chemetics International Ltd.

CNTIC ....................................................................................... China National Technical Import Corporation

COFAZ .......................................................................................................... Compagnie Frangaise de l'Azote

DSM ........................................ .......................................................................................... Dutch State Mines

EFMA............... .................... ...... ..................... .................... European Fertilizer Manufacturers' Association

EPA ........................ : ........................................................................... U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EWC .............................. ..................................................................................................... East-West Center

FAO .......................................................................... Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FERTIMEX ............................................................. ....................................... ............ Fertilizantes Mexicanos

FW .................................................. ..................................................... ......... .................... Foster Wheeler

GIAP ........................................................................................................... State Institute of Nitrogen Industry

GNFC .............................................................................. Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Company Limited

GSFC .............................................................. ............. ................ Gujarat State Fertilizers Company, Limited

HAIL .......................................................................................................... Hydro Agri International Licensing

IAALD ............................ ..... ................. International Association of Agricultural Libraries and Documentalists

ICI ................................................. ........................................... ....................... Imperial Chemical Industries

IDDA .......... ................. ........ ..................................................... .Industrial Development Decade for Africa

IFA.................................................................................................. International Fertilizer Industry Association

IFDC .............................................. : .............................................. International Fertilizer Development Center

IMI ............................................................................................................................ Israel Mining Industry

IMO .......................................................................................................... International Maritime Organisation

IMPHOS ................................................................................................... ....... Institut Mondial du Phosphate

IPC .................................................................................................................. International Potash Company

ISO ............................................................................................ International Organization for Standardization

KT..................................................................... ................................... ............................. Koppers-Totzek

MAPCO .......................................................................................................... Mid-America Pipeline

Company

.................................................................................. Oak Ridge National Laboratory

..................................................................................... Potash Company of America

......................................................................... Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan

......................................................................................... Petroquimica de Venezuela

............................................................................................ Roca Fosforica Mexicana

..................................................................................... Scottish Agricultural Industries

.................................................................... ..... Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

........................................ ............................................. Toyo Engineering Company

................................................................................................. The Fertilizer Institute

......................................................................................... Tennessee Valley Authority

..................................... United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

..................................................................... United Nations Environment Programme

.................................................... United Nations Industrial Development Organization

United Nations Program for Action for African Recovery and Development

.................................................................................................. U.S. Bureau of Mines

............................................................................................... U.S. Geological Survey

........................................................ World Health Organization of the United Nations

OPEC ..........

ORNL ..........

PCA ............

PCS ............

PEQUIVEN .

ROFOMEX..

SAI .............

SQM ...........

TEC... .........

TFI..............

TVA ............

UNCED ......

UNEP ..........

UNIDO ........

UNPAAERD

USBM .........

USGS..........

WHO ...........

vi

Mathematical Symbols, Abbreviations and

Conversion Factors Used in This Manual*

Monetary Value

$ ................... ' ....................................................................................... U.S. dollar (unless othervvise indicated)

DM .......................................................................................................................................... Deutsche mark

Linear Measurement

m ...................................................................................................... meter = 3.28 feet (ft) = 39.37 inches (in)

cm ................................................................................................ centimeter = 0.01 meter = 0.3937 inch (in)

mm.......... ........... .......... .............................................................. .......... ............ millimeter = 0.001 meter

fim ............................................................................................................................. micrometer or "micron"

km .............................................. ......................................................................... kilometer = 0.62 mile (mi)

Area Measure

mz .................................................. ............................... ..................... square meter = 10.76 square feet (ft2)

cm2 ................................................................................................ square centimeter = 0.155 square inch (in2)

km2 ................................................................................................. square kilometer = 0.386 square mile (mi2)

ha ............................................................................... hectare = 10,000 square meters (m2) = 2.471 acres (A)

Weight

g ........................................................................ gram = 0.032 troy ounce (oz) = 0.035 avoirdupois ounce (oz)

mg .......................................................................................... . ........................... milligram = 0.001 gram (g)

ftg ......................................................................................... ...................... microgram = 0.000001 gram (g)

kg .......................................................................................... kilogram = 1,000 grams (g) = 2.205 pounds (lb)

t .......................................................................... tonne (metric) = 1,000 kg = 2,205 lb =1.102 short tons (st)

g-mole ................................................. gram mole = the molecular iveight of a compound multiplied by 1 gram

Volume

gal ......................................................................................................................... U.S. gallons = 3.785 liters

m3............................... ..................................................... cubic meter = 35.34 cubic feet (ft3) = 1,000 liters (1)

cm3 or cc ........................................................................................... cubic centimeter = 0.061 cubic inch (in3)

1 ........................................................................................... liter = 0.264 U.S. gallons (gal) = 1.057 quart (qt)

bbl .................................................................................. barrel (of petroleum) = 42 gallons (gal) = 159 liters (1)

ml ........................................................................................ milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter (cm3) approximately

Nm3 ........ .................................................................. cubic meter (of gas) measured at "normal" temperature

ft3 ...............................................................................................................................cubic foot = 0.0283 m3

Yields or Application Rates

kg ha1 or kg/ha ............................................................. kilograms per hectare = 0.892 pounds per acre (lb/A)

g/ha ................................................................................................................................... grams per hectare

Weight Per Unit of Volume (Density)

sp gr .......................... specific gravity = the ratio of the weight of a substance to the weight of an equal volume

of water at 4C; no dimensions; numerically equal to density in g/cm3

g/cm3 ...........................................................grams per cubic centimeter = 62.43 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3)

kg/m3 .............................................................................................kilograms per cubic meter = 0.0624 lb/ft3.

t/m3............................................................................................................... tonnes per cubic meter = g/cm3

Be........................................................................................... ............................................. degrees Baume

Note: For definitions of true, apparent, and bulk densities or specific gravities, see Chapter 18.

a. Factors for converting metric units to English or SI units (Systeme International d'Unites) or vice versa. Concentrations

g/1 .......................................................................................................................................... grams per liter

mg/m3 ................................................................................................................... milligrams per cubic meter

/ig/m3 .................................................................................................................. micrograms per cubic meter

vii

ppmw..................................................................................................................... parts per million by weight

dm3 ....: ..................................................................................................................... cubic decimeter = 1 liter

Work-Energy-Heat

MMBtu .................... .................................................................................. ! .......................... ; .... million Btu

cal ........................................................................................................................... calorie = 4.184 joules (J)

kcal ......................................................................... kilocalorie = 1,000 cal = 3.968 British thermal units (Btu)

MMcal ........ ........ ............................................................... .............................................. million calories

kJ ........................................................................................................ ........................ kilojoule = 0.239 kcal

GJ ................................................................... gigajoule = 109 joules = 0.948 million Btu = 0.239 million kcal

Gcal ............................................................................................ gigacalorie = 109 calories = 3.97 million Btu

kWh ............................... ......................... ..... ........................... kilowatt-hour = 3,413 Btu = 36,000 joules

mWh .......... ........................ ............... ............ ........................................... megawatt hours = 1,000 kWh

Power

W ..................................................................................................................... watt = 1 joule per second (J/s)

kW .................................................................................... kilowatt = 1,000 watts (W) = 1.34 horsepower (hp)

MW ....................................................................... ........................................... megawatt = 1,000,000 watts

Heating Value Per Unit of Volume or Weight

cal/g ...................................... calories per gram = kilocalories per kilogram (kcalAg) =1.8 Btu/lb = 4.187 J/g

kcal/m3 ..................................................................................... kilocalories per cubic meter = 0.1123 Btu/ft3

(Used to denote heating value of fuel gas; the temperature and pressure should be stated; usually 0C and 1 atm in

scientific work. The U.S. natural gas industry uses "standard condition" of 60F and 14.7 lb/in2).

Pressure

kg/cm2 ..................... ......................... kilograms per square centimeter = 14.2 pounds per square inch (lb/in2)

atm ........................................................................................ ............................... atmosphere = 14.7 lb/in2

atm .............................................. 101.325 kilonewtons per square meter (kN/m2) = 101.325 kilopascals (kPa)

mm Hg ....................... ..... ........................................... millimeters of mercury = 133.3 Pa = 0.0013 atm

psia ............................................................ .................................................. pounds per square inch absolute

psiS .................................................................................................................. pounds per square inch gauge

MPa ....................................................................................................................... megapascal = 1,000 kPa

bar ................................................................................................................................0.987 atm 100 kPa

Temperature

C ...................................................................................... degrees Celsius or centigrade; (C x 1.8) + 32 = F

F .......................................................................................................... degrees Fahrenheit (F - 32) 5/9 = C

K ................................................................................................................ absolute temperature = C + 273

Plant Capacity or Production Rate

tpd ........................................................................................................................................... tonnes per day

tph......................................................................................................................................... tonnes per hour

tpy .......................................................................................................................................... tonnes per year

Note: All tonnes are metric unless otherwise specified. Other Abbreviations

kN/cm .................................................................................................................. kilonevvtons per centimeter

BL or B/L ....................................................................................................................................battery limits

pCi/g ......................................... picocuries per gram (a measure of the concentration of a radioactive material)

f.o.b ..... ......................... free on board = cost at plant or port including Ioading on a ship or other conveyance

pH ........................................................ logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration in-grams

per Iiter (pH = log 1/H+ g/1). A solution of pH 7 is neutral; lower

pHs are acidic and higher pHs are alkaline.

gpm............................................................................................................................ U.S. gallons per minute

dia .................................................................................................................................................... diameter

CRH ........................ ............................. ........................ ......................................... critical relative humidity

LPG ............................ ............................................................................................... Iiquefied petroleum gas

LNG ............................................ ................................................................................... liquefied natural gas

viii

SNG ............................................................................................................ substitute (or synthetic) natural gas

HTS .............................. ..... ........... ............ ............ .................................... high temperature shift (catalyst)

LTS .......... ,...., ........ . .............. ........................................................................ low temperature shift (catalyst)

LHV........................................................................................................................... lower heating value (gas)

CEC ......................................................................................................................... cation exchange capacity

BPL ..................................................................................... bone phosphate of lime, 1% P205 = 2.185% BPL

BFW .................................................................................................................... ............... boiler feed water

Tablc of Contents

Page

Chapter 1. General Concepts, Classification, Tenninology, and Definitions ............................................ 1

1.1 Infroduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2

, 1.2 Plant Nutrients ................................................................................................................................. ......... 2

1.3 Fertilizer Grade .................................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Nutrient Availability ................................................................................... ........................................ 3

1.5 Fertilizer Regulations ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Fertilizer Specifications ............................ ..................... ........................................................ .........

5

1.7 Terminology and Definitions ................................................................................................................. 5

1.8 Fertilizer-Related Information Sources ....................... ........................................................................ 13

1.9 Resource Publications ........................................................................................................................ 18

Chapter 2. The Role of Fertilizers in Agriculture .................................................................................. 19

2.1 Demand for Agricultural Products and Plant Nutrients ...................................... ................................ 20

2.2 The Soil Resource .............................................................................................................................. 21

2.3 Concepts of Soil Fertility ............. ........................................................................................... ........ 22

2.4 Fundamentals of N, P, and K ............................................................................ : ................................ 28

2.5 Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems ................................................................. ........................................ 37

2.6 Profitable Fertilizer Use ...................................................................................................................... 39

2.7 Soil Productivity and Sustainability .................................................................................................... 43

2.8 References ......................................................................................................................................... 44

Chapter 3. Status of the Fertilizer Industry ......................................................................................... 45

3.1 Short History of Fertilizer Development . ...................................................... ..................................... 46

3.2 Statistical Overview of Fertilizer Production, 1960-95 ................................. ...................................... 51

3.3 Statistical Overview of Fertilizer Consumption, 1960-95 ................ ....... ............................................ 55

3.4 Trends in Fertilizer Trade ................................................................................................................... 63

3.5 Trends in Fertilizer Prices ................................................................................................................... 64

3.6 Emerging Centers of Fertilizer Production ........................... .................................................... ......... 65

3.7 Industry Restructuring in Older Producing Areas ................................................................................ 66

3.8 References .................................................................... ................................................................. ,.69 Chapter 4. Outlook for the Fertilizer Industry, 1995-2005 ................................................................... 70 4.1 Introduction .................. ................................................................................................................... 71

4.2 Recent Economic and Political Developments and Their Impact on the Fertilizer Industry .................... 72

4.3 Future Outlook for Fertilizer Demand ................................................................................................. 72

4.4 Future Outlook for Fertilizer Supply ....................................................................................... ........... 75

4.5 Fertilizer Supply-Demand Balances .................................................................................................... 78

4.6 Summary ................................................... ........................................ .......................................... 80

4.7 Price Outlook ..................................................................................................................................... 81

4.8 References ......................................................................................................................................... 82

Chapter 5. Fertilizer Raw Materials and Reserves ...................................................... ........................ 83

5.1 Availability and Sources of Raw Materials ........................................................................................... 85

5.2 Nitrogen Feedstocks ........................................................................................................................... 85

5.3 Phosphate Rock ................................................................................................................................. 90

5.4 Sulfur .............................................................................................................................................. 126

5.5 Potash ...................................................................................................................... ...................... 131

5.6 References ....................................................................................................................................... 152

Chapter 6. Production of Ammonia .................................................................................................... 158

6.1 Ammonia Early Process Development ............................................................................................... 159

6.2 Physical Properties of Ammonia ....................................................................................................... 160

6.3 Feedstock for Ammonia Production .................................................................................................. 160

6.4 Production Technology of Ammonia .................................................................................................. 164

6.5 Partial Oxidation Process of Heavy Hydrocarbons ............................................................................. 182

6.6 Ammonia From Coal .......................................................... ................................................... * ..... 184

x

6.7 Ammonia From Electrolytic Hydrogen .............................................................................................. 187

6.8 Economics of Ammonia Production .................................................................................................. 188

6.9 Future Development of Ammonia Technology ................................................................................... 191

6.10 References ....................................................................................................................................... 192

Chapter 7. Transportation and Storage of Ammonia ........................................................................... 195

7.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... ............. 196

7.2 Ammonia Storage ............................................................................................................................ 197

7.3 Transportation of Ammonia.............................................................................................................. 199

7.4 References ....................................................................................................................................... 206

Chapter 8. Nitric Acid, Nitrates, and Ammonium Salts ....................................................................... 207

8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 209

8.2 Nitric Acid .................................................................................................... .................................. 209

8.3 Ammonium Nitrate .......................................................................................................................... 220

8.4 Pollution Control ................................................................................ ... ........................................ 236

8.5 Production of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate ........................................................................................ 236

8.6 Other Nitrogen Compounds Used as Fertilizers ................................................................................. 238

8.7 References ....................................................................................................................................... 253

Chapter 9. Urea ...................................................................................................................... .......... 256

9.1 Introduction .............................................................................. ..................................................... 257

9.2 Properties of Urea ............................. .............................................................................................. 258

9.3 Process Operating Variables_. ............................................ ................ ..... ...... ..... .............................

258

9.4 Urea Processes ................................................................................................. ............................. 259

9.5 Urea Finishing Processes ................................................................................................................. 266

9.6 Economics ....................................................................................................................................... 268

9.7 References ....................................................................................................................................... 268

Chapter 10. Liquid Fertilizers and Nitrogen Solutions ................................................................... ... 271

10.1 Introduction ........ ........................................................................................................................... 272

10.2 Nitrogen .......................................................................................................................................... 274

10.3 Huid Phosphates ............................................................................................................................. 279

10.4 Suspension Fertilizers ............................................................... ...................................................... 283

10.5 Specialty Huid Fertilizers ..... .............................................................................................. , ........... 289

10.6 Investment Costs ...................................................... .................................................. ................. 292

10.7 Summary ....................................................................................................... ................................ 293

10.8 References ....................................................................................................................................... 293

Chapter 11. Sulfuric and Phosphoric Acids ......................................................................................... 295

11.1 Sulfuric Acid ....................................................................................................... ......................... 296

11.2 Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid ............................................................................. ........................... 311

11.3 Superphosphoric Acid .................................................................................................... .............. 332

11.4 Shipment of Phosphoric Acid .......................................................................................................... 333

11.5 Use of Byproduct Gypsum ................................................................... .......................................... 336

11.6 Utilization of Fluorine ..................................................................................................................... 339

11.7 Uranium Extraction .................................................................................................................. ... 340

11.8 Purification of Phosphoric Acid ....................................................................................................... 341

11.9 Production of Phosphoric Acid Using Acids Other Than Sulfuric ...................................................... 345

11.10 Phosphoric Acid Production by the Electric Furnace Process ............. .............................. .............. 348

11.11 Phosphoric Acid Production by the Blast-Furnace Process ............................................................... 350

11.12 Wet-Process Licensers ............................................................................................................... ... 351

11.13 References ........................................................................................... ................... ................... 351

Chapter 12. Fertilizers Derived From Phosphoric Acid ...................................................................... 354

12.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. '. ............... 355

12.2 Triple Superphosphate ....................................................................................... ........................... 355

12.3 Ammonium Phosphates .................................................................................................................. 361

12.4 Nongranular MAP ........................................................................................................................... 370

12.5 Ammonium Polyphosphate ................................................... ........................................................ 373

12.6 Comparative Economics of TSP and DAP.................................................................................... :... 374

12.7 Other Fertilizers Made From Phosphoric Acid .................................................................................. 376

12.8 Process Licensors and Contractors ................................................................................................. 381

xi

12.9 References ..................................................................................................................................... 381

Chapter 13. Nitrophosphate Fertilizers ............................................................................................. 384

13.1 Introduction .................................................. ............................................................................... 385

13.2 Fundamentals of Nitrophosphates .................................................................................................. 385

13.3 Nitrophosphate Processes ............................................................................................................... 386

13.4 Odda Process With Calcium Precipitation........................................................................................ 387

13.5 The Mixed-Acid Process . .......... .......... ........................................................................................ 392

13.6 Other Processes ......................................................................... .................................................. 395

13.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Nitrophosphate Route ....... .................................................. 397

13.8 Development in Quantities and Market Share ................................................................................ 398

13.9 References ............................................................................... ............ ....................................... 398

Chapter 14. Other Phosphate Fertilizers ..................................................................... ..................... 400

14.1 Single Superphosphate (SSP) .......................................................................................................... 401

14.2 Phosphate Rock as a Fertilizer ........................................................................................................ 405

14.3 BasicSlag ....................... .................................... ........................................................................ 408

14.4 Potassium Phosphates .................................................................................................................... 409

14.5 BoneMeal ..................................................................................................................... ................ 410

14.6 Fused Calcium Magnesium Phosphate .... ..... ...................................... ................ ............... 410

14/7 Rhenania P h o s p h a t e . " 7 ^ 7 7 7 ^ . " . ........ ............... ............... 7..7V...... ............. ............... 410

14.8 Calcium Metaphosphate ................................................................................................................. 411

14.9 Dicalcium Phosphate ...................................................................................................................... 411

14.10 Magnesium Phosphates .................................................................................. .......... .................. 412

14.11 Urea Superphosphate (USP) ................................................................................ ........................... 412

14.12 References ...................................................................................................... .............................. 414

Chapter 15. Potash Fertilizers ........................................................................................................... 416

15.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 417

15.2 Potash in Agriculture.......................................................................................... ........................... 417

15.3 Potash Production, Consumption, and Price ...................................................... .................. ......... 418

15.4 Product Quality ........................................................................... ................................................. 420

15.5 Other Potassium Fertilizers ............................................................................................................ 424

15.6 Chemical-Grade Potash ........................................................................................................ ........ 430

15.7 References ................................................................................................. ................................... 431

Chapter 16. Compound Fertilizers...................................... . .................................... ...................... 432

16.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 433

16.2 Trends in Supply and Demand for Compound Fertilizers ................................................................. 433

16.3 Role of Compound Fertilizers .......................................................................................................... 433

16.4 Compound Fertilizer Production Technology .................................................................. ............... 434

16.5 Physical and Chemical Parameters for Producing Agglomerated NPKs .............................................. 435

16.6 Processes for Manufacturing Compound Fertilizers ..................... 1 ................................................. 441

16.7 Unique Requirements for Manufacturing Urea-Based Granular Compound Fertilizers ...................... 447

16.8 Investment and Operating Costs ..................................................................................................... 451

16.9 References ..................................................................................................................................... 454

Chapter 17. Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients ........................................................................ 456

17.1 Secondary Nutrients ...................................................................................................................... 457

17.2 Micronutrients ............................... .............................................................................................. 460

17.3 Preparation of Fertilizers Containing Micronutrients ........................................... .......................... 462

17.4 Other Useful Elements ................................................................................................................... 467

17.5 Acknowledgment .................................................................................................... ...................... 468

17.6 References ............................................................................................................................. ...... 468

Chapter 18. Physical Properties of Fertilizers ..................................................................................... 470

18.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 471

18.2 Physical Properties of Solid Fertilizers .................................................................................... ....... 471

18.3 Physical Properties of Fluid Fertilizers ................................................... ................................. ...... 494

18.4 References ..................................................................................................................... .............. 499

xii

Chapter 19. Environmental Protection and Pollution Prevention ....................................................... 506

19.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 507

19.2 Environmental Issues Related to the Use of Fertilizers ..................................................................... 508

19.3 Environmental Impact of the Fertilizer Industry ........................................................ ..................... 512

19.4 Phosphogypsum ............................................................................................................................. 535

19.5 Environmental Impact Assessment ................................................................................................. 537

19.6 The Role of International Organizations ............................................... ......................................... 540

19.7 Best Available Technology (BAT) ..................................................................................................... 540

19.8 ISO 14000 .................................................................................... ..................................... ......... 542

19.9 References ............................................................................................................................. ^....543

Chapter 20. Planning for the Development of a Fertilizer Industry ..................................................... 545

20.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 546

20.2 Strategies and Policies of Fertilizer Industry Development ............................................................... 547

20.3 Estimates of Demand _and Requirements_.,,,,,,,,,,,^^^^^ ................................. ,.... 549

20.4 Establishment and Development of the Fertilizer Industry ............................................................... 558

20.5 Paving the Way to Plant Operation .................................................................................................. 564

20.6 References ............................................................................................................................... ..... 567

Chapter 21. Economics of Fertilizer Manufacture.......................................................................... ... 568

21.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. .................................... 569

21.2 The Structure of Investment Costs ................................................................................................. 57.0

21.3 The Structure of Production Costs .................................................................................................. 575

21.4 Financial Analysis ....................................... ................................................................................. 577

21.5 Economic Analysis Structure ............................................................................................. ............ 584

21.6 Use of Computers for Financial Economic Analysis ......................................................................... 586

21.7 Guidelines for Achieving Well-Established Projects .......................................................................... 586

21.8 References ..................................................................................................................................... 600

Chapter 22. Challenges Facing the Fertilizer Industry ........................................................................ 601

22.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 602

22.2 Resolution of Macroeconomic Contradictions .................................................................................. 602

22.3 Fertilizer Production Capacity and Demand .................................................................................... 603

22.4 Transformation From Public to Private ............................................................................................ 604

22.5 Establishment of New Facilities ...................................................................................................... 605

22.6 Potential for Reducing Fertilizer Costs............................................................................................. 607

22.7 General Conclusions ................................................................................................ .................... 608

22.8 References ...................................................................... ............................................. ................ 609

Chapter 1. General Concepts, Classification, Terminology,

and Definitions

Tablc of Contents

Pagc

1.1 Introduction ................................. ............... ....................... ............................................................ 2

1.2 Plant Nutrients ................................................................................................... ................................ 2

1.2.1 Classification ............................................................................................................................ 2

1.2.2 Expression ................................................................................................................................ 2

1.3 Fertilizer Grade .................................. ................................................................................................ 2

1.4 Nutrient Availability ............................................................................................................................. 3

1.5 Fertilizer Regulations ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Fertilizer Specifications ................................................................. .................... : ................................ 5

1.7 Terminology and Definitions ........................................................................ ........................ ............. 5

1.8 Fertilizer-Related Information Sources ................................................................................................ 13

1.9 Resource Publications .................................................... .................................................................. 18

Chapter 1. General Concepts, Classification,

Terminology, and Definitions

1.1 Introduction

A fertilizer is a material that furnishes one or more

of the chemical elements necessary for the proper

development and growth of plants. The most

important fertilizers are fertilizer products (also

called chemical or mineral fertilizers), manures, and

plant residues. A fertilizer product is a material

produced by industrial processes with the specific

purpose of being used as a fertilizer. Fertilizers are

essential in today's agricultural system to replace the

elements extracted from the soil in the form of food

and other agricultural products.

1.2 Plant Nutrients

Chemical elements that are essential for the proper

development and growth of plants are typically

referred to as plant nutrients. The list of plant

nutrients recognized as being necessary for plant

growth has increased over the years

and now totals sixteen, as shown in

Table 1.1.

Table 1.1. Classification of

Elements Essential for

Plant Growth

Major elements (Available from

(macronutrients) air or water)

Primary nutrients

Secondary nutrients

Minor elements

(micronutrients)

1.2.1 Classification

Nine plant nutrients are required in relatively large

amounts and are referred to as major elements or

macronutrients. Of these, carbon, hydrogen, and oxy-

gen are obtained from the carbon dioxide in the atmo-

sphere and water and therefore are not dealt with as

nutrients by the fertilizer industry. These three plant

nutrients make up 90%-95% of the dry matter of all

plants. The other major elements are subdivided into

primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and

potassium) and secondary nutrients (calcium,

magnesium, and sulfur). The remaining seven plant

nutrients are required in much smaller amounts and

are known as micronutrients or minor elements.

In addition to the 16 essential elements listed in

Table 1.1, some other elements have been shown, in

certain circumstances, to be helpful in increasing crop

yields or in improving the value of crops for animal or

human nutrition. Examples are sodium, silicon, cobalt,

and vanadium.

1.2.2 Expression

Many countries express quantities or percentages of

the primary nutrients in terms of elemental nitrogen

(N), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), and potassium oxide (K2O), Secondary nutrients and micronutrients usually are expressed on an elemental basis although

calcium and magnesium sometimes

are expressed in the oxide , form.

However, several countries express all

plant nutrients on an elemental

basis. Plants actually use neither the pure element nor

the pure oxide form, so the differ- ence is largely

academic. Conversion factors for those plant nutrients

that may be expressed in the elemental or oxide form,

depending on the country, are shown in Table 1.2.

1.3 Fertilizer Grade

It is customary to refer to a given fertilizer product

by a series of numbers separated by dashes. This set of

numbers is called the "grade" of the fertilizer product.

Each of the numbers indicates the amount of a

nutrient that the manufacturer guarantees is

contained in the fertilizer product. This number

includes only the amount of nutrient found by

prescribed analytical procedures, thereby excluding

any nutrient present in a form that is deemed to be

unavailable for plant nutrition. The content of each

nutrient is always expressed as a percentage by

Carbon

ITydrogen

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Calcium

Magnesium

Sulfur

Boron

Chlorine

Copper

Iron

Manganese

Molybdenu

m

Zinc

3

Table 1.2. Conversion Factors of Plant

Nutrients (From Oxide to Elemental

and From Elemental to Oxide Form)

weight, or in other words as kilograms of nutrient per

100 kg of the fertilizer product. These percentages are

guaranteed minimum rather than actual content,

which is usually slightly higher.

Usually, three numbers are used when giving the grade

of a fertilizer product, and these three numbers always

refer, in order, to the content of the primary nutrients:

nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If other

nutrients are present, their content can also be

indicated in the grade of the fertilizer product; each

extra number is fol- lowed by the chemical symbol of

the nutrient it repre- sents. Many countries indicate

the content of phosphorus and potassium not in the

elemental form but in the oxide form, P2O5 and K2O.

When references are made to the phosphorus content

of a fertilizer product, it is common to call it

phosphate, which is the form in which it is mostly

present within the fertilizer products, although all

calculations and expressions of content are made

using either the oxide form (P2O5) or the elemental form (P).

Some examples of fertilizer grades follow:

A fertilizer product with a grade of 18-46-0 is guaran-

teed by the manufacturer to have the following content:

18% N, or 18 kg of N in every 100 kg

46% P205, or 46 kg of P205 in every 100 kg

0% KA or no KzO

A fertilizer product with a grade of 12-6-22-2MgO is

guaranteed by the manufacturer to contain:

12% N, or 12 kg of N in every 100 kg

6% P205, or 6 kg of P205 in every 100 kg

22% KzO, or 22 kg of K20 in every 100 kg

2% MgO, or 2 kg of MgO in every 100 kg

Expressed on an elemental basis, the fertilizer grade

of this product would be 12-2.6-18.3-1.2Mg(Table 1.2).

In this manual, the oxide form will be used unless

otherwise specified.

The value of using fertilizer grades in identifying a

fertilizer product cannot be overemphasized. This is a

constant reminder to the consumer that he is purchas-

ing plant nutrients, not a named fertilizer product. For

example, the fertilizer product single superphosphate

(SSP) is known worldwide by that name or acronym.

However, the P205 content in commercially available

SSP products around the world ranges from 14% to

20%.

1.4 Nutrient Availability

A commercial fertilizer is a material containing at

least one of the plant nutrients in a form assimilable or

"available" to plants in known amounts. Generally, a

plant nutrient is taken up by plant roots or foliage in

the form of a solution in water. Plant nutrients form

many different chemical compounds having varying

degrees of solubility in water. Thus, it would seem

that water solubility should provide a simple conclusive

measure of the availability to plants. Unfortunately,

the situation is far too complex for water solubility

alone to serve as a measure of availability. All materials

are soluble in water to some extent,-even the-most

"insoluble."

Many sparingly soluble materials have been found to

be available to plants and, in some cases, even more

effective than readily water-soluble materials. However,

some materials are so insoluble as to be virtually

worth- less as fertilizers. Therefore, most countries

specify some degree of solubility of the nutrient content

in water or other reagents or alternatively require

identification and approval of the source of the

material.

For example, natural organic materials may be ac-

ceptable on the basis of total N, P2Os, and K20 con-

tent, provided the source of the material is identified

and approved. Synthetic organic materials, if sparingly

soluble, may require special methods of analysis,

particularly if intended for controlled-release fertilizers.

Like- wise, special tests may be required for coated

controlled- release fertilizers.

Because most common nitrogen and potassium

fertilizers are readily water-soluble, water solubility

usually is accepted as evidence of plant availability,

and special methods are applied to less soluble

materials only when there is some evidence to indicate

p2o5 X 0.44 P P X 2.29 P2O

5 K2O X 0.83 K K X 1.20 K2O CaO X 0.71 Ca Ca X 1.40 CaO MgO X 0.60 Mg Mg X 1.66 - MgO

SO3 X 0.40 S S X 2.50 S03

4

that the low (or controlled) solubility may be

advantageous.

In the case of phosphate fertilizers, there is a wide

variety of both readily water-soluble materials and

sparingly water-soluble materials, and several methods

are in use for evaluating their agronomic availability.

The most common methods other than water solubility

are based on solubility of P2O5 in neutral or alkaline

ammonium citrate solutions or in solutions of citric or

formic acid. In addition, the total P2O5 may be accept- able for some materials. Examples of the solubility

crite- ria used for quality control of phosphate

fertilizers follow.

Germany - Phosphate is expressed as the sum of

P2O5 soluble in water and (alkaline) ammonium citrate. For superphosphate, at least 90% of the sum

must be soluble in water. For compound fertilizers, at

least 30% of the sum must be soluble in water.

Belgium - For TSP, 38% P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate must be guaranteed; 93% of the in-

dicated content must be water oluble.

Soft rock phosphate must contain not less than

25% P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which not less than 55% must be soluble in 2% formic acid. It must

be ground to a fineness so that at least 90% passes

through a 63- micron sieve; 99% must pass through a

125-micron sieve.

For compound fertilizers, the P2O5 content may be expressed as that which is soluble in neutral

ammonium citrate, soluble in water, or soluble in

water and neutral ammonium citrate. If the compound

fertilizer contains Thomas (basic) slag as the only

source of phosphate, the P2O5 claimed is that which is soluble in 2% citric acid.

United States - The guaranteed P2O5 content of all fertilizers is based on the "available phosphate"

content, which is the P2O5 content soluble in neutral ammonium citrate including that soluble in water.

There is no provi- sion for determining or stating the

water-soluble P2O5 content separately. The total P2O5 may be stated but is not included in the guaranteed available phosphate content.

European Union (EU) - Directives specify the fol-

lowing permissible solvents as a basis for evaluating

phosphate fertilizers:

1. Water for those materials "where applicable."

2. Formic acid (2%) for soft natural phosphates.

3. Citric acid (2%) for basic slag.

4. Petermann's solution at 65C for precipitated

dicalcium phosphate dihydrate.

5. Petermann's solution at ambient temperature for

"disintegrated phosphates."

6. Joulie's solution for all straight and compound

fertilizers in which phosphate occurs in

alumino-calcic form. 7. Neutral ammonium citrate solution for all fertilizer.

Joulie's and Petermann's solutions are alkaline am-

monium citrates containing free ammonia. Solvent

com- positions, extraction methods, ratios of sample to

solvent, and methods for analysis are specified for each

solvent.

It is beyond the scope of this manual to describe in

detail the analytical methods that are used for

fertilizers. The development of suitable methods for

analyzing fertilizers for availability has claimed the

attention of agricultural chemists since the beginning

of the industry. The methods are constantly being

revised and improved as new knowledge and new tools

become available to the chemist.

1.5 Fertilizer Regulations

Given the wide variety of natural and synthetic mate-

rials that are beneficial to the growth of plants, a virtu-

ally unlimited number of products could truthfully be

labeled "fertilizer" and marketed as such. The main

drawback to uncontrolled marketing of fertilizer

materials is the problem of the relative effectiveness of

the product, and this depends on its composition.

Unless the farmer can be sure that each lot of fertilizer

he buys will have the same effectiveness as the

preceding lot, he cannot be sure that he is fertilizing his

crops in a rational manner, regardless of his stock of

personal experience or advice from experts.

Another drawback to uncontrolled marketing of fer-

tilizer is the lack of a rational basis for pricing. A tonne

of low-analysis fertilizer is less valuable to the farmer

than a tonne of higher analysis fertilizer; therefore, the

farmer should have a simple method for determining

the best buy from the existing market.

Because of the foregoing factors, regulations (some of

them in the form of laws) have been established in

many parts of the world to govern the labeling and mar-

keting of commercial fertilizers at the retail level. These

regulations are intended for local conditions and thus

may vary from place to place; however, their primary

purposes are to ensure uniformity and to provide a

simple method whereby the farmer can select the most

eco- nomical product available to him.

Regulations add to the cost of fertilizer. In order to

guarantee a given nutrient percentage, the

manufacturer must provide some surplus, and the

amount of the surplus depends on the degree of

technical control during manufacture. Enforcement of

regulations adds further to the cost of fertilizers. These

5

costs, inherent in con- trolling fertilizer composition at

the retail level, are com- pensated by the inherent

benefits. Without basic regulations, the fertilizer trade

would become chaotic.

As with other regulations, care should be taken to limit

them to the essentials.

1.6 Fertilizer Specifications

Specifications are the requirements with which a fer-

tilizer should conform, as agreed upon between buyer

and seller. Fertilizer specifications meet differing

requirements depending on the use or intent of the

specification information.

Specifications are normally used in the contract be-

tween the buyer and seller of a fertilizer to ensure

agreement on product characteristics or more often

to define the product in sufficient detail to effect the

satisfaction of both buyer and seller.

Normally a farmer (consumer) gets a specification on

the fertilizer bag or, for a bulk delivery, on the invoice.

This type of specification typically consists of the fertil-

izer grade, a guaranteed analysis, the net weight, and

sometimes additional information about the product.

This information is typically that which is required by

gov- ernment regulations, not necessarily by the

customer.

More commonly, when one refers to specifications, it is

to specifications that have legal implications for buy-

ers and sellers of large quantities of materials. A well-

written fertilizer specification should include the

following elements in detail:

1. Nutrient contents and concentrations.

2. Nutrient chemical composition.

3. Moisture content.

4. Particle size distribution.

5. Physical condition.

6. Solubility and/or availability.

7. Conditioner.

8. Special limitations pertaining to phytotoxic produc-

tion byproducts or additives.

9. Packaging details (if any).

10. Methodology used in quantifying or qualifying

items 1 through 9.

11. Penalties or discounts for deviation from the stated

values and conditions.

Fertilizer specifications that include all of the above

items may or may not meet the buyers' standards

when bids are received. Usually when the buyer issues

invita- tions to bid accompanied by the product's

desired specifications, the seller tries to meet all

items in order to have a chance for his bid to be

accepted. If the seller cannot meet all the terms and

conditions of the specification, he wouId expect that

his bid would be rejected by the buyer. However, there

are instances where the seller will include exceptions

with his bid. This is the seller's way of telling the buyer

that he knows the product is not to the specification,

but that he (the seller) is bidding a different (usually

slightly different) material. Once the buyer accepts a

bid with exceptions, the exceptions supplant the

original specification and become part of a new

contractual agreement between buyer and seller.

From a buyer's standpoint, one might consider that

the more detailed a specification, the more certain the

buyer becomes of the product quality. Usually, the

more detailed a specification, the more difficult it is for

the manufacturer to meet all the requirements,

resulting in a more expensive material or severely

limiting the number of sellers who are qualified to bid.

It is, therefore, to the purchaser's advantage to use

standard products with the "normally accepted" specifi-

cations whenever possible. This approach allows more

suppliers the opportunity to bid, resulting in a competi-

tive market for the buyer.

Even when the material purchased meets all of the

buyer's bid specifications, the material or product may

not be well suited for its intended use. This is epecially

tme~of~phosphateTock. Phosphate rock is quite

variable in phosphate content from deposit to deposit

and in quantities of impurities that drastically affect the

rock's performance in production of nitrophosphates,

phosphoric acid, superphosphates, and ammonium

phosphates. Thus, the material purchased may not be

what was initially wanted. Even though this material

may meet all the stated specifications, it is possible for

unspecified contaminants or impurities to affect the

performance of the materials in subsequent processing

or the crop re- sponse in finished fertilizers.

It is important then to state in the specifications not

only what is wanted in the product but also what is not

wanted in the product.

1.7 Terminology and Definitions

The following terminoIogy and definitions commonly

used in the fertilizer industry are limited to those whose

meaning might not be obvious from usual dictionary

definitions.

Fertilizer - In the simplest terminology, a material,

the main function of which is to provide plant nutrients.

6

In Japan, fertilizer is defined as being any substance

that is applied to the soil for the purpose of supplying

nutrients to plants or producing a chemical change in

the soil that will contribute to the cultivation of plants

or that is applied to the plant to supply plant nutrients.

In the Republic of the Philippines, the term fertilizer

includes substances (either solid or liquid), nutrient

elements (either organic or inorganic, single or in

combination), and any materials applied directly to

the soil for the purpose of promoting plant growth,

increasing crop yields, or promoting their quality.

In Thailand, fertilizer means an organic or inorganic

substance, whether of natural formation or produced

through any method whatsoever, that is used as a

nutrient element for plants or for causing a chemical

change in the soil for the growth of plants.

In some countries, terms such as chemical fertilizer,

mineral fertilizer, or inorganic fertilizer are used to dis-

tinguish the manufactured product from natural

organic materials of plant or animal origin. The latter

materials are called organic fertilizers.

Chemical Fcrtilizer - In Thailand, a fertilizer de-

rived from inorganic substances or synthetic organic

substances, including single fertilizer, mixed fertilizer,

and compound fertilizer as well as organic fertilizer

mixed with chemical fertilizer but excluding white lime,

marl, plaster, or gypsum.

In Mauritius, chemical fertilizer means any

substances containing one or more of the basic

elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,

magnesium, and silicon) used as a fertilizer.

Inorganic (Mineral) Fertilizer - A term used by the

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for

fertilizer in which the declared nutrients are in the form

of inorganic salts obtained by extraction and/or by

physical and/or chemical industrial processes.

The Association of American Plant Food Control

Officials (AAPFCO) defines "synthetic" as any substance

generated from another material or materials by means

of a chemical reaction.

Organic Fertilizer - Carbonaceous materials mainly

of vegetable and/or animal origin added to the soil spe-

cifically for the nutrition of plants (ISO).

In Australia, organic fertilizers are defined as those

manufactured from animal and vegetable byproducts.

In Thailand, organic fertilizer means a fertilizer derived

from organic material; it is produced through the

process of drying, chopping, grinding, fermenting,

sifting, or other methods but is not a chemical fertilizer.

In Malaysia, organic fertilizers are fertilizers that are

derived mainly from biological products (plant or

animal) where most of the nutrient elements are

present as organic compounds. In

Japan and the Philippines, the term "special fertilizer"

is used to define organic-type fertilizer products.

AAPFCO, in the United States, uses the term "natu-

ral organic fertilizers" and gives the following definition:

Materials derived from either plant or animal prod-

ucts containing one or more elements (other than

carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) which are essential

for plant growth. These materials may be

subjected to biological degradation processes

under normal conditions of aging, rainfall,

sun-curing, air drying, composting, rotting,

enzymatic, or anaerobic/ aerobic bacterial action,

or any combination of these. These materials shall

not be mixed with synthetic materials or changed

in any physical or chemical manner from their

initial state except by manipulations such as

drying, cooking, chopping, grinding, shredding,

ashing, hydrolysis, or pelleting.

AAPFCO also defihes organic fertilizer as a material

containing carbon and one or more elements, other

than hydrogen and oxygen, essential for plant growth.

The ISO and AAPFCO have defined several other

terms relating to organic-type products. Some of the

ISO terms are semi-organic fertilizer, organic

nitrogenous fertilizer, synthetic organic nitrogenous

fertilizer, manure, organic-soil-Gonditioner, and

semi-organic soil conditioner. Some of the AAPFCO

terms are compost, natural inorganic fertilizer,

natural fertilizer, natural base fertilizer, organic base

fertilizer, and animal manures.

Soil Conditioner - Material added to soils, the main

function of which is to improve their physical and/or

chemical properties and/or their biological activity

(ISO).

In Malaysia, soil conditioner is defined as any sub-

stance that is added to the soil for the purpose of

improving its physical or chemical character,

enhancing soil productivity, or promoting the growth of

crops - exclusive, however, of commercial fertilizers

and farm- yard manure. In Malaysia, "soil amendment"

has the same definition as soil conditioner, except it

includes the statement that a soil amendment supplies

some nutrients.

AAPFCO defines soil amendment as any substance

that is intended to improve the physical characteristics

of the soil, except commercial fertilizers, agricultural

liming materials, unmanipulated animal manures,

unmanipulated vegetable manures, and pesticides.

Liming Material - An inorganic soil conditioner

containing one or both of the elements calcium and

7

magnesium, generally in the form of an oxide,

hydroxide, or carbonate, principally intended to

maintain or raise the pH of soil (ISO).

In Malaysia, a liming material is defined simply as a

material used to neutralize soil acidity. AAPFCO in the

United States defines "agricultural liming materials" as

products whose calcium and magnesium compounds

are capable of neutralizing soil acidity.

Fcrtilizcr Material - A fertilizer that meets any of

the following conditions (AAPFCO):

1. Contains important quantities of no more than one

of the primary plant nutrients (nitrogen, phospho-

rus, or potassium).

2. Has 85% or more of its plant nutrient content

present in the form of a single chemical compound.

3. Is derived from a plant or animal residue or

byproduct or natural material deposit which has

been processed in such a way that its content of

plant nutrients has not been materially changed

except by purification and concentration.

Straight Fertilizcr - A qualification generally given

to a nitrogenous, phosphatic, or potassic fertilizer hav-

ing a declarable content of only one of the primary plant

nutrients, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium

(ISO).

In Malaysia, straight fertilizer is a generally loose

term used in the fertilizer trade to signify a fertilizer

that usually contains one nutrient element. In

Australia, straight fertilizer is the term used to describe

fertilizer containing only one of the elements nitrogen,

phosphorus, or potassium. In Thailand, the term

"single fertilizer""i equiva-_ lent to straight fertilizer.

Compound Fertilizer - A fertilizer that has a de-

clarable content of at least two of the plant nutrients

nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, obtained chemi-

cally or by blending, or both (ISO).

This term is defined and used around the world with

several different meanings. Additionally, terms. such as

complex fertilizer, composite fertilizer, mixed fertilizer,

mixture of fertilizers, fertilizer mixture, granulated mix-

ture, physical mixtur

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