Ammonium Sulphate Fertilizer

Ammonium sulphate is one of the first and most widely used nitrogen (N) fertilizers for crop production. It is now less commonly used, but especially valuable where both N and sulfur (S) are required. Its high solubility provides versatility for a number of agricultural applications.
Ammonium sulphate Fertilizer (sometimes abbreviated as AS or AMS) has been produced for over 150 years. Initially, it was made from ammonia released during manufacturing coal gas (used to illuminate cities) or from coal coke used to produce steel. It is made from a reaction of sulfuric acid and heated ammonia. The size of the resulting crystals is determined by controlling the reaction conditions. When the desired size is achieved, the crystals are dried and screened to specific particle sizes. Some materials are coated with a conditioner to reduce dust and caking. Most of the current demand for ammonium sulphate is met by production from by-products of various industries. For example, ammonium sulphate is a co-product in the manufacturing process of nylon. Certain by-products that contain ammonia or spent sulfuric acid are commonly converted to ammonium sulfate for use in agriculture. Although the color can range from white to beige, it is consistently sold as a highly soluble crystal that has excellent storage properties. The particle size can vary depending on its intended purpose.