2.4.

10
AOAC Official Method 892.01
Nitrogen (Ammoniacal and Nitrate)
in Fertilizers
Devarda Method
First Action 1892
Final Action 1932
(Not ap pli ca ble in pres ence of organic mat ter, cal cium
cyanamide, and urea.)
Place 0.35 or 0.5 g test portion in 600–700 mL flask and add
300 mL H2O, 3 g Devarda alloy (Cu 50, Al 45, Zn 5), and 5 mL
NaOH solution (42% by weight), pouring latter down side of flask
so that it does not mix at once with contents. By means of Davisson
[J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 11, 465(1919)] or other suitable scrubbing bulb
that will prevent passing over of any spray, connect with condenser,
tip of which always extends beneath surface of standard acid in
receiving flask. Mix contents of distilling flask by rotating. Heat
slowly at first and then at rate to yield 250 mL distillate in 1 h.
Collect distillate in measured amount standard acid, 955.04A(j) (see
2.4.03), and titrate with standard NaOH solution, 955.04A(k) (see
2.4.03), using methyl red, 955.04A(i) (see 2.4.03).
References: Chem. Ztg. 16, 1952(1892).
JAOAC 6, 391(1923); 15, 267(1932).

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