Calcium ammonium nitrate or CAN, also referred to as nitro-limestone or nitrochalk, is a broadly used inorganic fertilizer, accounting for 4% of all nitrogen fertilizer used worldwide in 2007.[1]
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Manufacturing[edit]
The time period “calcium ammonium nitrate” is utilized to a number of completely different, however intently associated formulations. One number of calcium ammonium nitrate is made by including powdered limestone to ammonium nitrate;[1][2] one other, totally water-soluble model, is a mix of calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate, which crystallizes as a hydrated double salt:[3] 5Ca(NO3)2•NH4NO3•10H2O. Not like ammonium nitrate,[4] these calcium containing formulations will not be categorised as oxidizers by america Division of Transportation.[3]
Consumption of CAN was 3.54 million tonnes in 1973/74, 4.45 million tonnes in 1983/84, 3.58 million tonnes in 1993/94.[5] Manufacturing of calcium ammonium nitrate consumed 3% of world ammonia manufacturing in 2003.[5]
Bodily and chemical properties[edit]
Calcium ammonium nitrate is hygroscopic. Its dissolution in water is endothermic, resulting in its use in some on the spot chilly packs.
Use[edit]
Most calcium ammonium nitrate is used as a fertilizer. Fertilizer grade CAN accommodates roughly 8% calcium and 21-27% nitrogen.[6] CAN is most well-liked to be used on acid soils,[5] because it acidifies soil lower than many widespread nitrogen fertilizers.[6] Additionally it is used instead of ammonium nitrate the place ammonium nitrate is banned.[2]
Calcium ammonium nitrate is utilized in some on the spot chilly packs as an alternative choice to ammonium nitrate.
Calcium ammonium nitrate has seen use in improvised explosives. The CAN is just not used instantly, however is as an alternative first transformed to ammonium nitrate; “More than 85% of the IEDs used against U.S. forces in Afghanistan contain homemade explosives, and of those, about 70% are made with ammonium nitrate derived from calcium ammonium nitrate”.[7] CAN and different fertilizers have been banned within the Malakand Division and in Afghanistan following reviews of its use by militants to make explosives.[8] As a consequence of these bans, “Potassium chlorate — the stuff that makes matches catch fire — has surpassed fertilizer as the explosive of choice for insurgents.”[9]
References[edit] – “calcium ammonium nitrate”
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