Potassium nitrate is a dangerous but useful chemical compound

Potassium nitrate (or potassium nitrate) is a nitrogen-potassium complex fertilizer used for top dressing of various plants. It is the most important source of potassium for any crop, and it can be applied at all phases of their development. This fertilizer is presented in the form of a fine crystalline powder of white-gray color. It completely dissolves in water, it does not contain salts of Na and Cl, as well as heavy metals.

Applications

Potassium nitrate is a fertilizer that is especially effective on soils with medium and elevated levels of phosphorus compounds. It is better to use it in the spring, since if it is done in the autumn, then the nitrate nitrogen contained in this fertilizer, the precipitation during autumn and winter will be washed into the lower soil layers, which will entail two unpleasant moments: first, Water, and secondly, fertilizer will become practically inaccessible to the plants themselves. In addition, potassium nitrate is used to fertilize crops, which are adversely affected by chlorine potassium fertilizers. Potassium Nitrate It is also recommended to use for sheet dressings and in the fertigation system. With its help, the foliar feeding of winter wheat during the earing period (3 kg of fertilizer per 200 liters of water is a norm per 1 hectare). For top dressing of greenhouse plants, a solution is prepared in a ratio of 50 g / 10 liters of water.

Safety standards

Properties. Potassium nitrate is a strong oxidizer. It reacts with Reducing agents and combustible materials. Its density is 2.109 g / cm³, the boiling point is 400 ° C, and 334 ° C is the melting point. Technical potassium nitrate is quite toxic, therefore its maximum permissible concentration in the air in industrial premises should not exceed 5 mg / m square. When inhaling potassium nitrate vapors on the nasal mucosa, ulcers and swelling can form, and with prolonged contact, thickenings appear on the skin of the palms and feet. In addition, the danger of this chemical compound lies in its ability to provoke spontaneous combustion of combustible substances. In this regard, to build a fire or smoke closer than 50 meters from the storage, loading and unloading potassium nitrate is strictly prohibited. Especially dangerous is the receipt of potassium nitrate at home. In the event of a fire, fire or chemical foam extinguishers, large amounts of water, dry sand or an asbestos blanket are used to extinguish the fire.

Transportation and storage

During loading and unloading operations, mechanization and sealing of the product in the appropriate container should be ensured, and places of possible dusting should be equipped with exhaust suction. Personnel in contact with potassium nitrate should be dressed in special clothes, as well as individual protective equipment that conforms to the standard industry standards. Storage of potassium nitrate is carried out in special packages in closed warehouses. It is not allowed to transport and store the product together with mineral acids and combustible substances, as well as its mixing with straw, sawdust, peat, coal and other organic substances, as this can cause a fire or explosion.