Phosphoric acid is one of the important compounds in the production of chemical fertilizers, which is produced in large quantities in the country alongside nitric acid. Given the country’s urgent need to increase agricultural production and meet the people’s needs, the necessity of using high-quality fertilizers to enhance soil fertility has become essential.
There are many methods to increase soil fertility, including the use of animal manure. However, the final cost of using animal manure is significantly higher than the total cost of chemical fertilizers. For this reason, most farmers and livestock breeders have turned to using industrial chemical fertilizers to reduce their costs. Now, if chemical fertilizer manufacturers do not use high-quality organic compounds to enhance the quality of their products, not only will the quality of agricultural products decline, but the country’s economic growth in the field of exporting these products will also decrease.
What is phosphoric acid?
Phosphoric acid is recognized as the second most produced acid in the world in terms of production volume. This substance has three different chemical valences, is completely inactive and safe at room temperature (27 degrees), and acts stronger than acids such as oxalic acid, boric acid, and acetic acid, but weaker than hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.
Certainly, the second rank of this chemical in terms of global production indicates its high consumption among various factories and industries. Various applications can be considered for phosphoric acid, the most important of which is its use as a raw material in the production of chemical fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, food processing cleaners, detergents, and animal and poultry feed supplements.
Purchase Agricultural Phosphoric Acid
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Phosphoric Acid Analysis
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Advantages of Using Phosphoric Acid in Agriculture
Phosphoric acid is one of the main mineral acids for agriculture and comes in two types: food-grade and industrial. For agriculture, industrial phosphoric acid with a purity of 54 percent is used. Agricultural phosphoric acid contains phosphorus, hydrogen, and oxygen elements, which are used as fertilizers. Among the elements present in the composition of phosphoric acid, phosphorus is a vital nutrient for plant growth. From the decomposition of agricultural phosphoric acid, the dihydrogen phosphate ion is obtained, which is absorbed by plant roots.
Phosphoric acid is usually present in the soil, but in some soils, the amount of this acid may be lower. Therefore, the purpose of using phosphoric acid in agriculture is to compensate for the phosphorus deficiency in the soil, which ultimately affects the growth rate of the plants. On the website ASES, some benefits of using phosphoric acid are mentioned.>ASES has mentioned some of the benefits of using phosphoric acid. The most important advantages of using phosphoric acid in agriculture are as follows:
- Growth of beneficial bacteria in agricultural soil
- Strengthening the plant and increasing root growth in plants
- Increasing the soil’s ability to retain water and also preserve nutrients in the soil
- Creating porosity in agricultural soil and allowing oxygen to penetrate the soil
- Neutralizing acidity and alkalinity and adjusting the pH of agricultural soil
- Increasing root growth of plants
Properties of Phosphoric Acid in Agriculture
Properties of Phosphoric Acid in Agriculture
Agricultural products obtained using chemical fertilizers containing phosphoric acid have desirable quality. According to the information available on the neufarm website, the following are some of the consequences of the absence of phosphoric acid in agricultural soil:
- The plant’s resistance to drought and adverse weather conditions decreases.
- Flowering and budding of the plant slow down.
- The plant’s resistance to plant diseases decreases.
- The plant is exposed to various pests and aphids.
- Root growth in plants is reduced.
- The absence of phosphorus in the soil reduces the rate of photosynthesis in plants.
In order to eliminate the problems caused by phosphorus deficiency in agricultural soil, it is necessary to use various chemical fertilizers containing phosphoric acid. By using fertilizers containing phosphoric acid, it is observed that the plant’s yield significantly increases.
How to Use Phosphoric Acid as a Chemical Fertilizer
To use phosphoric acid in agriculture, you should use a sprayer or mixing tank that has been pre-filled with water. Then spray this solution directly onto the soil or near the plant’s roots. Considering that phosphorus is an essential substance for plant growth, the solution containing phosphoric acid always provides the necessary amount of phosphorus for soil nourishment. Phosphoric acid also helps aerate the soil and deliver nutrients to the plant roots. The role of agricultural phosphoric acid in regulating soil pH causes beneficial bacteria in the soil to multiply, ultimately improving the quality of agricultural soil.
The best time to use phosphoric acid
There is no time restriction for using agricultural phosphoric acid. Therefore, phosphoric acid can be used throughout the year, but it is particularly effective in the spring and autumn seasons. The intervals for reapplying phosphoric acid are approximately one month because it is not absorbed by plants and remains in the soil for a long time. Also, for spraying, the recommended amount is 12% weight/volume. If you want to use solid phosphoric acid as a chemical fertilizer, it is recommended to use 2 kilograms of phosphoric acid per hectare.
The Importance of Phosphorus in Soil
Chemically, phosphorus is a very stable element. Phosphorus-containing fertilizers, upon entering the soil, quickly react with other elements present in the soil. If the soil pH is less than 5, phosphorus quickly reacts with iron and aluminum and becomes unavailable to the plant.
On the website NSW.GOV, information about the importance of phosphorus in soil is mentioned.>NSW.GOV provides information on the importance of phosphorus in the soil. Since phosphorus is easily fixed in the soil, crops and pastures only absorb 5 to 20 percent of the phosphorus added to the soil.
When fertilizer containing phosphoric acid is spread on the soil, phosphorus accumulates at the soil surface, and when moisture allows the roots to grow, this mineral becomes readily available to the plants. However, if the surface soil has less moisture, less phosphorus is available to the plants.
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Characteristics of Phosphoric Acid
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Properties of Phosphoric Acid
- Molecular formula: H3PO4 or H3O4P
- Appearance: A thick, colorless, and odorless liquid
- Molar mass: 97.995 g/mol
- Solubility in water: 548g in 100 grams of water at 20 °C
- Boiling point: 407 °C
- Melting point: 42.4 °C
- Density: 1.9 g/cm³
- Acidity: 1.5
Types of Phosphoric Acid
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, phosphoric acid has three different grades: industrial, food-grade, and raw, which we will explain each in the following sections.
Industrial Phosphoric Acid
This type of acidic substance is produced by two methods: thermal and wet, and is used in industries such as textiles, detergent production, Teflon cookware, and wastewater treatment. The highest usage of this acidic substance is in the production of cleaning agents.
Edible
This type of acid is used in the production of food products and is obtained by combining water with P2O5 or phosphate rock. One of the most important uses of food-grade phosphoric acid includes the production of animal feed supplements, vegetable oil, carbonated beverages, and animal feed.
Raw
Raw phosphoric acid is obtained from the chemical reaction of sulfuric acid with phosphate rock, which is then converted into industrial and food-grade types in refining units according to need. In other words, this type of acid is the initial form of phosphoric acid that has not yet been processed into food-grade or industrial-grade. This type of acid is entirely used in the production of chemical fertilizers.
Uses of Phosphoric Acid in Industry
Phosphoric acids, as mentioned in previous sections, are used in various industries, and we intend to introduce each one separately.
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Application in the agricultural industry
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Application in the Agricultural Industry
Phosphorus has long been used as a stimulant for plant growth. In ancient times, due to the absence of chemical phosphorus, fish phosphorus and animal bones were used. But with the advancement of technology and the production of chemical phosphates, a major revolution occurred in the chemical fertilizer industry. In such a way that the production of this chemical has increased so much that it has secured the second position in global production.
Of course, it goes without saying that excessive use of these fertilizers will lead to the death of the plants. Therefore, it is recommended to have a well-defined plan before using chemical fertilizers.
Application in the food and livestock industries
Another important application of phosphoric acid is its use in the production of certain food items as a flavoring agent. Considering the low price of this type of acid, many factories turn to its use to reduce their costs. So that replacing it with natural seasonings such as citric acid to create a sour or spicy taste in food products is economically feasible.
Application in detergents
The use of phosphoric acid as a water softener and to improve the efficiency of detergents is common in most detergent manufacturing plants. Water hardness is considered one of the challenges in the field of purification. So that after water purification, the appearance of minerals such as calcium, ions, magnesium, metal cations, etc. It will be very natural. This issue causes soap and detergents to become insoluble during washing, which phosphoric acid resolves.
Removing Iron Oxide
Rusting is one of the common chemical reactions that occurs in most metals. To eliminate this chemical reaction and convert it into phosphate solutions, the use of phosphoric acid will be very effective. For this purpose, phosphoric acid is used in the construction of aircraft bodies, automobiles, weapons, military machinery, and other vehicles.
Warnings when using this chemical
Skin contact
Given the acidic and corrosive properties of phosphoric acid, be careful to avoid contact with the skin when using it. If this substance comes into contact with the skin, there is a possibility of irritation, redness, and even burns.
Eye contact
As I mentioned, this chemical has acidic properties and can cause severe damage to the cornea and field of vision if it comes into contact with the eye.
Infiltration into the stomach
If phosphoric acid is ingested by an individual, the likelihood of stomach irritation, stomach perforation, and nausea is certain. In case of excessive consumption of phosphoric acid, the likelihood of death due to circulatory failure will be over 80 percent.
Inhalation
Inhaling phosphoric acid from chemical fertilizers is not very harmful. What is dangerous is inhaling it in vapor form, as this can cause serious damage to the lungs and respiratory system. Therefore, inhaling the vapor of this chemical will cause sore throat, nasal irritation, shortness of breath, and even unconsciousness.
But if its use is outside the defined standards, such as intentional evaporation, it can be dangerous for the ecosystem and humans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can phosphoric acid be used to unclog a sewage well?
Using phosphoric acid in wastewater is common and can it clear blockages?
Is phosphoric acid explosive?
No, this chemical is designed in such a way that it poses no risk of use or fire.
Is using phosphoric acid dangerous?
Under normal circumstances, the use of phosphoric acid is not dangerous. But if its use deviates from defined standards, such as intentional evaporation, it can be dangerous for the ecosystem and humans.