Studies for alternative anti-caking additives used in the production of ammonium nitrate

Abstract

In the production of ammonium nitrate, powdered, caking, and grain size to the desired standards cause great problems in prilling and granulation processes. In this study, the problems of caking were discussed in the final product in ammonium nitrate production. Additives are added at certain stages of production to reduce and eliminate the problems of caking. The product is usually passed through a drum where it is fed with anti-caking additives with the help of a dosing system before the packaging process. At the next stage, it is stored under appropriate conditions and placed on the market. In this study, mixtures containing different components, petroleum-derived chemicals (liquid and solid paraffin), and inorganic salts were formed, and their physical properties were determined by standard analysis methods. A quick caking measurement test was performed by dosing operations providing ammonium nitrate product remained within the range standard specifications. For the ammonium nitrate product without anti-caking agent dosage, the caking percentage was determined as 68.27%. The commercial anti-caking agent is dosed at a rate of 0.05% and has 40.84%, a 0.10% caking ratio of 39.05%. In the final product, caking was reduced by 29.22%. Six prescriptions based on ANO, a petroleum-derived chemical, were prepared (R17-R22). Effective results were obtained in commercial product comparison in ANO mold caking performance tests. While the % caking ratio of R18 is 15.33 according to the 1:1000 dose amount, this value is 13.07% for the commercial anti-caking agent. The study was completed by identifying the mixtures that give the best results.

Keywords

• ammonium nitrate
• agglomeration
• pollution
• prilling process
• granulation

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK-1501

Project Number

3190751

References

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