Ammonium Sulphate

Subject Headings

What is Ammonium Sulphate?

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4 that has several commercial uses. The most common use is soil fertilizer. % contains 21 nitrogen and % contains 24 sulfur.

How is Ammonium Sulphate produced?

Ammonium sulfate is made by treating ammonia with sulfuric acid:

2 NH3 + H2SO4 → (NH4) 2SO4

A mixture of ammonia gas and water vapor is introduced into a reactor containing a saturated solution of ammonium sulfate and about %2 to %4 free sulfuric acid at 60 °C. Concentrated sulfuric acid is added to keep the solution acidic and maintain the free acid level. The heat of reaction keeps the reactor temperature at 60 °C. Dry, powdered ammonium sulfate can be formed by spraying sulfuric acid into a reaction chamber filled with ammonia gas. The heat of reaction evaporates all the water in the system, forming a powdery salt.

Ammonium sulfate is also produced from gypsum (CaSO4 · 2H2O). Finely divided gypsum is added to a solution of ammonium carbonate. Calcium carbonate precipitates as a solid, leaving ammonium sulfate in solution.

(NH4) 2CO3 + CaSO4 → (NH4) 2SO4 + CaCO3

Ammonium sulfate occurs naturally as the rare mineral maskagnite in volcanic fumaroles and due to coal fires in some landfills.

What does Ammonium Sulphate look like?

It is available in crystalline powder form in white color.

What is the molecular formula of Ammonium Sulphate?

Molecular Formula: (NH4) 2SO4

In which sectors is Ammonium Sulphate used?

• Agricultural industry, fertilizer
• food production industry
• water purification system
• fire fighting area

What are the usage areas (processes) of Ammonium Sulphate?

• The primary use of ammonium sulfate is as a fertilizer for alkaline soils. Ammonium ion is released in the soil and creates a small amount of acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil while contributing nitrogen necessary for plant growth.
• It is also used as an agricultural spray aid for water-soluble insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. There, it functions to bind iron and calcium cations found in both well water and plant cells. It is particularly effective as an adjuvant for 2,4-D (amine), glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides.
• As a food additive, ammonium sulfate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration and is designated E517 in the European Union. It is used as an acidity regulator in flour and breads.
• In the treatment of drinking water, ammonium sulfate is used in combination with chlorine to produce monochloramine for disinfection.
• Ammonium sulfate is used on a small scale in the preparation of other ammonium salts, particularly ammonium persulfate.
• Ammonium sulfate is listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
• A saturated solution of ammonium sulfate in heavy water (D2O) with a shift of 0 ppm is used as an external standard in sulfur (33S) NMR spectroscopy.
• Ammonium sulfate has also been used in flame retardant compositions very similar to diammonium phosphate. As a flame retardant, it increases the combustion temperature of the material, reduces the maximum weight loss rates, and causes an increase in the production of sludge or coal. Flame retardant effectiveness can be increased by blending with ammonium sulfamate. It was used in aerial firefighting.
• Ammonium sulfate has been used as a wood preservative, but due to its hygroscopic nature, this use has been largely discontinued due to problems associated with metal fastener corrosion, dimensional instability, and finishing errors.

What is the Sales Price of Ammonium Sulphate?

You can call us to find out the current ammonium sulphate sales prices and take advantage of the best prices.

Where Can I Buy Ammonium Sulphate?

As SoleChem Kimya, we are selling and supplying ammonium sulfate.