Joseph Boe
Taking the article's claims at face value, this could be a pretty easy market-driven switch.
Fertilizer producers such as SCOTTS would be all over this if the claims of making acidic soil more productive at the same cost are verifiable.
It would be a no-brainer for them because it would be very marketable and that is the fastest path to rapid adoption.
Phyzzi
Nice. The cool part about this is that countries that are now trying to keep Ammonium Nitrate out can switch to simply requiring that this additive be put in before import (turning a ban into a regulation).
ADVENTUREMUFFIN
Hmmm. Good idea if the side effects of Ferric Nitrate weren't so deadly...http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0924.pdf
I wonder when precautionary principle will start applying to ideas?
Jerry Peavy
How about using less fertilizer? The problems caused by fertilizer runoff from both large farming areas and urban lawns is a serious problem when it reaches streams and the ocean, causing blooms of algae that deplete oxygen and dead zones where no fish can survive. Implementing modern organic farming practices is a better solution than just making it easier and safer to use more fertilizer.
Slowburn
How difficult is it to separate ammonium nitrate from iron sulfate? How difficult is it to extract toxins from the fertilizer fuel mix. How toxic is the smoke. Which is more dangerous.
Wombat56
@ Joseph Boe
No, it makes ALKALINE soils more neutral. Iron sulphate is an acidifier.
Flipider Comm
& the Nobel Prize winner is - Sandia Labs.
William Carr
"Hmmm. Good idea if the side effects of Ferric Nitrate weren't so deadly...http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0924.pdf
I wonder when precautionary principle will start applying to ideas?
ADVENTUREMUFFIN 26th April, 2013 @ 12:37 pm PDT"
Uhm... Ferric Nitrate isn't produced UNLESS someone tries to weaponize the fertilizer.
And it won't blow up, so... the hapless terrorist would get a lungful of toxic gas.
Not a practical weapon there, either. Doesn't burn, would dilute in open air...
And the reaction wouldn't happen in normal use unless, of course, someone poured diesel fuel all over the field.
The Skud
Sounds like a 'no brainer' to me ... I can't see any toxic side effects not being outweighed by the safety angle. Any and all fertiliser plants should have to use this recipe immediately, on pain of fines, sanctions or whatever can be imposed to encourage the idea. If it does not come from the factory, the terrorist should not be able to access the explosive version. Laws should be passed and funds made available to allow any present stocks stored in shops/warehouses etc to be 'recycled' at a subsidised cost so the consumer would not lose out. Remove the temptation to "just finish up that pallet" and half the problem goes away.
Slowburn
re; The Skud
Not all soil that ammonium nitrate will benefit will benefit from Ferric Nitrate.