Ammonium sulfate

Ammonium sulfate – the ammonium inorganic salt of sulphuric acid containing 21% of nitrogen in the form of ammonium of cations and 24% are gray in the form of sulfate of anions. Ammonium sulfate is often used as fertilizer for the alkaline soil.

Ammonium sulfate meets in the form of colourless crystals or small white hydroscopic granules.

The ammonium sulfate also known as diammonium sulfate or salt of sulphuric acid, represents inodorous white crystal matter, on taste salty. Connection is easy растворимо in water, but is not dissolved in alcohol or acetone.

Receiving ammonium sulfate in laboratory conditions is possible by influence by concentrated sulphuric acid 2NH3 on strong solution of H2SO4.

Receiving ammonium sulfate by input of gaseous ammonia in hot gases is also possible.

Ammonium sulfate decays when heating to 250 °C. If to heat substance to more high temperature, then it will break up to ammonia, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and water.

Ammonium sulfate use

The main use of ammonium sulfate – fertilizer for the alkaline soil. In the soil ions of ammonium sulfate are released and form a small amount of acid which lowers soils and at the same time saturates with necessary nitrogen for the best growth of plants. The main lack of use of ammonium sulfate is the low content of nitrogen in comparison with ammonium nitrate.

Use of ammonium sulfate as agricultural spray and adjuvant for water-soluble insecticides, herbicides and fungicides is also widely known. It functions as a sheaf for cations of iron and calcium which are present at water and plant cells. Substance is especially effective as adjuvant for глифосат and глюфосинат herbicides.

In biochemistry reprecipitation by ammonium sulfate is way of purification of proteins. We will dissolve ammonium sulfate in water and therefore on its basis it is possible to create strong solutions which can purify proteins, causing their concentrated sedimentation. It is a convenient and easy way for fractionation of complex mixes of proteins thanks to what ammonium sulfate is applied as ingredient to many vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

In the food industry ammonium sulfate is used as E517 nutritional supplement which is used as the acidity regulator for flour and bread and is recognized safe for the use.

Also ammonium sulfate is used for receiving other salts of ammonium, in particular ammonium persulphate.

On the basis of ammonium sulfate self-made explosives are produced.

Ammonium sulfate is a component of powder fire extinguishers and fireproof means.

Ammonium sulfate is very popular in Japan, Southeast Asia, and also in the northeast of China and other areas where grow up rice. It is used as fertilizer for cultivation of rice, tea, greens, vegetables, fruit and grain. Ammonium sulfate is more effective, than a carbamide, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate.

As feed additives, ammonium sulfate provides with nutrients of nonprotein nitrogen of ruminants. Ammonium sulfate is used also in some fields of fish breeding.

Properties of ammonium sulfate

Crystal substance insoluble in acetone, ethanol and ether.

Density of ammonium sulfate makes 1,77 g on 1 ml, temperature of storage of 2-8 °C, solubility in water makes 77 g on 100 ml.

The main property of ammonium sulfate is its stability, however at contact with strong oxidizers there can be a fire or explosion.

Harm of ammonium sulfate

At ammonium sulfate steam inhalation perhaps strong irritation and inflammation of respiratory tracts. The ammonium sulfate use inside causes the irritation of digestive tract accompanied with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. At contact of ammonium sulfate with skin or eyes there is an irritation, reddening, an itch and pain.

Use of ammonium sulfate is safe in well aired rooms with use of the goggles and masks covering all face in boots, gloves, aprons or overalls from impenetrable material, such as PVC.