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Single Supephosphate: Agricultural Use
Single Supephosphate: Agricultural Use
Single supephosphate
Single superphosphate (SSP) was the first commercial mineral fertilizer and it led to the
development of the modern plant nutrient industry. This material was once the most commonly
used fertilizer, but other phosphorus (P) fertilizers have largely replaced SSP because of its
relatively low P content.
Chemical Properties:
S content: 11 to 12%
pH: < 2
Agricultural Use
SSP is an excellent source of three plant nutrients. The P component reacts in soil similarly to
other soluble fertilizers. The presence of both P and sulfur (S) in SSP can be an agronomic
advantage where both of these nutrients are deficient. In agronomic studies where SSP is
demonstrated to be superior to other P fertilizers, it is usually due to the S and/or Ca that it
contains. When locally available, SSP has found wide-spread use for fertilizing pastures where
both P and S are needed. As a source of P alone, SSP often costs more than other more
concentrated fertilizers, therefore it has declined in popularity.
Management Practices
No special agronomic or handling precautions are required for SSP. Its agronomic effectiveness
is similar to other dry or liquid phosphate fertilizers.
The loss of P in surface runoff from fertilized fields can contribute to water quality problems.
Farm practices that minimize this loss should be implemented.
Fig (1) Process Flow Diagram for Single Superphosphate Manufacturing
Inputs Operations Outputs
75 % H2SO4 Heat
Water Dilution
Screening Particulates
Single Superphosphate
Fig (1) given below presents the block flow diagram for manufacturing of mono
superphosphate fertilizers and the related raw materials and pollution sources.
The manufacturing process depends on reacting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid and the
fertilizer contains about (16- 20 %) P2O5. The net reaction proceeds as follows:
Ca F2. 3Ca3 (PO4)2 + 7H2SO4 + 14H2O → 3Ca(H2PO4)2 + 7Ca SO4 . 2H2O + 2HF
During reaction of the phosphate with sulphuric acid in the den, hydrogen fluoride evolves and
reacts with the silica contained in the phosphates and forms gaseous silicon-tetrafluoride (SiF4)
and fluo slicic acid (H2SiF6). The continuous den is, therefore, enclosed so that fumes of these
compounds do not escape into the working place. The fluorous gases, containing H2SiF6 vapors,
are withdrawn through an opening in the den roof into a ventilation pipe to an absorption unit
and are utilized for making sodium fluo silicates.