Production of liquid fertilizers by ion exchange

摘要

Ion exchange is used to make two grades of liquid fertilizer. In the first phase, ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) is contacted with a potassium-containing ion exchange resin to make the liquid fertilizer potassium thiosulfate (KTS) and an ammonium-containing resin. If operated under ambient temperatures, oxidation of any sulfites and the attendant formation of insoluble sulfates is avoided along with the associated fouling costs. The recharge line is operated in parallel to the KTS line. When the ammonium-containing resin is contacted with potassium chloride, the ammonium cations are exchanged for potassium cations and produce an ammonium chloride that can be used as a second liquid fertilizer. If desired, a concentrator can be used to remove water from each fertilizer to increase its concentration of KTS or ammonium chloride.