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How to prevent unintended contamination of liquid fertilizers

When working with liquid fertilizers, the fertilizers get in contact with each other both intended or unintended. This could cause a reaction. When fertilizers are brought into contact with each other intendedly, this is called intended contamination. An example is the fertilizer recipe. Two fertilizers getting in contact with each other, does not necessarily result in a reaction. On the contrary, fertilizers can get contact with each other unintendedly. This is called unintended contamination and can happen when for example undiluted acidic and lye products are mixed.
Liquid fertilizers
Jaap Lubbersen
Product specialist Crop Care | May 1, 2020 | 4 min. reading time

Types of Liquid fertilizers 

Liquid fertilizers can be divided into neutral, acid and lye. In the table below, the products are divided into neutral, acid and lye.

NeutralAcidicLye
Calcium Nitrate (CN)
Ammonium Nitrate (AN)
Magnesium Sulphate (MSN)
Magnesium Nitrate (MN)
Calcium Chloride (CC)
Potassium Sulphuric Acid (KZZ)
Nitric Acid (SZ-38)
Phosphoric Acid (FZ-59)


Potassium Phosphorus Hydroxide (KFL)
Potassium Hydroxide (KL-50)
Silicon (SiL)
Potassium Carbonate (KBL)

Reactions of liquid fertilizers

Mixing liquid fertilizers can happen on purpose or accidentally. These fertilizers already form a risk in the storage stage. Also, keep in mind that during transport and the creation of the fertilizer recipe, the fertilizers should be handled with care. Always take into account your own safety while doing this!

Risks during transport

Transporting liquid AR-fertilizers always happens under strict safety measures. Despite these measures, things can go wrong during the transportation. A fertilizer can be pumped into the wrong pipe, which could lead to vaporization or the development of heat, with harmful consequences. These risks can be reduced by making use of end-key valves. 

Risks during storage

During storage of the liquid fertilizers, the safety regulations should be watched carefully. It is crucial to make use of the correct dripping tray, and that acidic and lye products are separated in different dripping trays. In the table below, an overview of which product should be stored in which dripping tray, is provided. The A is used for a dripping tray meant for acids and the L is used for a dripping try in which lye should be stored.

Risks while making the fertilizer recipe

Some products should not react with each other in undiluted forms, to prevent precipitation, gas or the development of heat. In order to prevent contact of several elements, use of the A- and B-tanks can be made. 

If liquid fertilisers in category G and W have come together, leave the room immediately, call 112 or 911 and inform the fire brigade which products have come together. Precipitated product is guaranteed loss of quality. Discuss with your crop care product specialist whether the precipitated end product can still be used, or needs to be emptied.

Essential fertilizers for a competitive price

Royal Brinkman offers a wide range of fertilizers against highly competitive prices and transport costs. Contact us for specialized advice about the best fertilizers for your crop.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jaap Lubbersen will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

How to prevent unintended contamination of liquid fertilizers

When working with liquid fertilizers, the fertilizers get in contact with each other both intended or unintended. This could cause a reaction. When fertilizers are brought into contact with each other intendedly, this is called intended contamination. An example is the fertilizer recipe. Two fertilizers getting in contact with each other, does not necessarily result in a reaction. On the contrary, fertilizers can get contact with each other unintendedly. This is called unintended contamination and can happen when for example undiluted acidic and lye products are mixed.
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Jaap Lubbersen
Jaap Lubbersen
Product specialist Crop Care | May 1, 2020 | 3 min. reading time
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Liquid fertilizers
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Types of Liquid fertilizers 

Liquid fertilizers can be divided into neutral, acid and lye. In the table below, the products are divided into neutral, acid and lye.

NeutralAcidicLye
Calcium Nitrate (CN)
Ammonium Nitrate (AN)
Magnesium Sulphate (MSN)
Magnesium Nitrate (MN)
Calcium Chloride (CC)
Potassium Sulphuric Acid (KZZ)
Nitric Acid (SZ-38)
Phosphoric Acid (FZ-59)


Potassium Phosphorus Hydroxide (KFL)
Potassium Hydroxide (KL-50)
Silicon (SiL)
Potassium Carbonate (KBL)

Reactions of liquid fertilizers

Mixing liquid fertilizers can happen on purpose or accidentally. These fertilizers already form a risk in the storage stage. Also, keep in mind that during transport and the creation of the fertilizer recipe, the fertilizers should be handled with care. Always take into account your own safety while doing this!

Risks during transport

Transporting liquid AR-fertilizers always happens under strict safety measures. Despite these measures, things can go wrong during the transportation. A fertilizer can be pumped into the wrong pipe, which could lead to vaporization or the development of heat, with harmful consequences. These risks can be reduced by making use of end-key valves.

Risks during storage

During storage of the liquid fertilizers, the safety regulations should be watched carefully. It is crucial to make use of the correct dripping tray, and that acidic and lye products are separated in different dripping trays. In the table below, an overview of which product should be stored in which dripping tray, is provided. The A is used for a dripping tray meant for acids and the L is used for a dripping try in which lye should be stored.

 Ammonium
Nitrate
Calcium
Nitrate
Potassium 
Carbonate (KBL)
Potassium 
Hyroxide
Potassium
Carbonate
Potassium 
Sulphuric Acid
Magnesium
Nitrate
Magnesium
Sulphate
Nitric 
Acid
Phosphoric 
Acid
Potassium
Chloride
Silicon
Ammonium Nitrate   N, GN, GN, G      N, G
Calcium Nitrate  NNNN N N N
Potassium Phosphorus HydroxideN, GN   N, WNNWN, WN 
Potassium HydroxideN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN 
Potassium CarbonateN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN 
Potassium Sulphuric Acid NN, WN, WN, W NN N N, W
Magnesium Nitrate  NNNN   NNN
Magnesium Sulphate NNNNN   NNN
Nitric Acid  N, WN, WN, W      N, W
Phosphoric Acid NN, WN, WN, WNNN   N, W
Potassium Chloride  NNN NN    
SiliconN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN 
  

Risks while making the fertilizer recipe

Some products should not react with each other in undiluted forms, to prevent precipitation, gas or the development of heat. In order to prevent contact of several elements, use of the A- and B-tanks can be made. The table included below explains which two concentrated, undiluted fertilizers can get in contact with each other: 

 Ammonium
Nitrate
Calcium
Nitrate
Potassium 
Carbonate (KBL)
Potassium 
Hyroxide
Potassium
Carbonate
Potassium 
Sulphuric Acid
Magnesium
Nitrate
Magnesium
Sulphate
Nitric 
Acid
Phosphoric 
Acid
Potassium
Chloride
SiliconPotassium
Phosphite
Ammonium Nitrate   N, GN, GN, G      N, G 
Calcium Nitrate  NNNN N N NN
Potassium Phosphorus HydroxideN, GN   N, WNNWN, WN  
Potassium HydroxideN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN  
Potassium CarbonateN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN  
Potassium Sulphuric Acid NN, WN, WN, W NN N N, W 
Magnesium Nitrate  NNNN   NNNN
Magnesium Sulphate NNNNN   NNNN
Nitric Acid  N, WN, WN, W      N, W 
Phosphoric Acid NN, WN, WN, WNNN   N, W 
Potassium Chloride  NNN NN     
SiliconN, GN   N, WNNN, WN, WN  

N= Precipitation
W= Heat development
G= Gas formation

Note: If fertilizers of category G and W mix, immediately leave the room! 

If liquid fertilisers in category G and W have come together, leave the room immediately, call 112 or 911 and inform the fire brigade which products have come together. Precipitated product is guaranteed loss of quality. Discuss with your crop care product specialist whether the precipitated end product can still be used, or needs to be emptied.

Essential fertilizers for a competitive price

Royal Brinkman offers a wide range of fertilizers against highly competitive prices and transport costs. Contact us for specialized advice about the best fertilizers for your crop.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jaap Lubbersen will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Jaap Lubbersen
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