Potassium nitrate is a dangerous but useful chemical compound

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Potassium nitrate (or potassium nitrate) is a nitrogen-potassium complex fertilizer used to feed various plants. It is the most important source of potassium for any crops, and it can be used in all phases of their development. This fertilizer is presented in the form of a fine crystalline powder of a white-grayish color. It is completely soluble in water, it contains no Na and Cl s alts, as well as heavy metals.

Application areas

Potassium nitrate is a fertilizer that is especially effective on soils with medium and high levels of phosphorus compounds. It is better to use it in the spring, because if this is done in the fall, then the nitrate nitrogen contained in this fertilizer will be washed into the lower soil layers during autumn and winter, which will entail two unpleasant moments: firstly, soil water,secondly, the fertilizer will become practically inaccessible to the plants themselves. In addition, potassium nitrate is used to fertilize crops that are adversely affected by chlorine-potassium fertilizers. Potassium nitrate

also recommended for foliar applications and in fertigation systems. With its help, foliar feeding of winter wheat during the earing period is also carried out (3 kg of fertilizer per 200 liters of water is the norm per 1 hectare). To feed greenhouse plants, a solution is prepared in the ratio of 50 g / 10 liters of water.

Safety standards

Properties. Potassium nitrate is a strong oxidizing agent. She reacts with

reducing agents and combustible materials. Its density is 2.109 g/cm³, the boiling point is 400 °C, and the melting point is 334 °C. Technical potassium nitrate is quite toxic, so its maximum allowable concentration in the air in industrial premises should not exceed 5 mg/m2. When potassium nitrate vapor is inhaled, ulcers and edema may form on the nasal mucosa, and with prolonged contact, thickenings appear on the skin of the palms and feet. In addition, the danger of this chemical compound lies in its ability to provoke spontaneous combustion of combustible substances. In this regard, making a fire or smoking closer than 50 meters from the places of storage, loading and unloading of potassium nitrate is strictly prohibited. Of particular danger is the receipt of potassium nitrate at home. WhenIf a fire occurs, dry powder or chemical foam fire extinguishers, large amounts of water, dry sand or asbestos blankets are used to extinguish the fire.

Transportation and storage

During loading and unloading operations, mechanization and sealing of the product in appropriate containers should be provided, and places of possible dusting should be equipped with exhaust vents. Personnel in contact with potassium nitrate during work must be dressed in special clothing, it is also necessary to have personal protective equipment that meets standard industry standards. Potassium nitrate is stored in special packages in closed warehouses. Do not transport and store the product together with mineral acids and combustible substances, as well as mixing it with straw, sawdust, peat, coal and other organic substances, as this may cause a fire or explosion.