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Check out our application note on determining nitrogen content from urea ammonium nitrate fertilizers by densitometry and refractometry. |
Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) is a widely used fertilizer made by mixing urea and ammonium nitrate (AN) dissolved in water. This liquid fertilizer provides essential nitrogen nutrients to crops, promoting healthy growth and higher yields.
Why to quantify nitrogen in UAN?
Quantifying the nitrogen content in UAN solutions is essential because these solutions are available in varying nitrogen concentrations, typically around 28%, 30%, or 32%. For example, a UAN 32 solution consists of approximately 45% ammonium nitrate, 35% urea, and 20% water, which together provide a nitrogen concentration of 32%. Accurate measurement of nitrogen content ensures proper application rates in agriculture, optimizing nutrient delivery to crops and enhancing fertilizer efficiency.
How to measure concentration of UAN?
Density and refractive index are physical properties that vary with the concentration of substances in a solution. In the case of UAN fertilizers, changes in nitrogen concentration affect both the density and the refractive index of the solution. By precisely measuring these two parameters, it is possible to accurately determine the nitrogen concentration in UAN solutions. Using fully automated systems that measures both density and refractive index, the nitrogen concentration in liquid fertilizers can be determined efficiently, rapidly, and safely, eliminating the need for extra chemical reagents.
