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EC / List no.: 231-984-1
CAS no.: 7783-20-2
Mol. formula: H3N.1/2H2O4S
Ammonium sulfate (American English and international scientific usage; ammonium sulphate in British English); (NH4)2SO4, is an inorganic salt with a number of commercial uses.
The most common use is as a soil fertilizer.
Ammonium Sulfate contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur.
Ammonium sulfate is a white odorless solid that sinks and dissolves in water.
Ammonium Sulfate is routinely used in agriculture as a nitrogen fertilizer.
In aqueous medium, it dissociates to form ammonium and sulfate ions.
Ammonium sulfate has been used in the preparation of ′Blue Silver′ colloidal Coomassie stain for proteins and may be used for the precipitation or fractionation of proteins/for purification of antibodies.
Ammonium Sulfate is also useful for crystallographic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins.
Uses:
The primary use of ammonium sulfate is as a fertilizer for alkaline soils.
In the soil the ammonium ion is released and forms a small amount of acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil, while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
The main disadvantage to the use of ammonium sulfate is its low nitrogen content relative to ammonium nitrate, which elevates transportation costs.
Ammonium Sulfate is also used as an agricultural spray adjuvant for water-soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
There, it functions to bind iron and calcium cations that are present in both well water and plant cells.
Ammonium Sulfate is particularly effective as an adjuvant for 2,4-D (amine), glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides.
Laboratory use:
Ammonium sulfate precipitation is a common method for protein purification by precipitation.
As the ionic strength of a solution increases, the solubility of proteins in that solution decreases.
Ammonium sulfate is extremely soluble in water due to its ionic nature, therefore it can "salt out" proteins by precipitation.
Due to the high dielectric constant of water, the dissociated salt ions being cationic ammonium and anionic sulfate are readily solvated within hydration shells of water molecules.
The significance of Ammonium sulfate in the purification of compounds stems from its ability to become more so hydrated compared to relatively more nonpolar molecules and so the desirable nonpolar molecules coalesce and precipitate out of the solution in a concentrated form.
This method is called salting out and necessitates the use of high salt concentrations that can reliably dissolve in the aqueous mixture.
The percentage of the salt used is in comparison to the maximal concentration of the salt in the mixture can dissolve.
As such, although high concentrations are needed for the method to work adding an abundance of the salt, over 100%, can also oversaturate the solution, therefore, contaminating the nonpolar precipitate with salt precipitate.
A high salt concentration, which can be achieved by adding or increasing the concentration of ammonium sulfate in a solution, enables protein separation based on a decrease in protein solubility; this separation may be achieved by centrifugation.
Precipitation by ammonium sulfate is a result of a reduction in solubility rather than protein denaturation, thus the precipitated protein can be solubilized through the use of standard buffers.
Ammonium sulfate precipitation provides a convenient and simple means to fractionate complex protein mixtures.
In the analysis of rubber lattices, volatile fatty acids are analyzed by precipitating rubber with a 35% ammonium sulfate solution, which leaves a clear liquid from which volatile fatty acids are regenerated with sulfuric acid and then distilled with steam.
Selective precipitation with ammonium sulfate, opposite to the usual precipitation technique which uses acetic acid, does not interfere with the determination of volatile fatty acids.
Food additive
As a food additive, ammonium sulfate is considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and in the European Union it is designated by the E number E517.
Ammonium Sulfate is used as an acidity regulator in flours and breads.
Other uses:
In the treatment of drinking water, ammonium sulfate is used in combination with chlorine to generate monochloramine for disinfection.
Ammonium sulfate is used on a small scale in the preparation of other ammonium salts, especially ammonium persulfate.
Ammonium sulfate is listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines per the Centers for Disease Control.
A saturated solution of ammonium sulfate in heavy water (D2O) is used as an external standard in sulfur (33S) NMR spectroscopy with shift value of 0 ppm.
Ammonium sulfate has also been used in flame retardant compositions acting much like diammonium phosphate.
As a flame retardant, it increases the combustion temperature of the material, decreases maximum weight loss rates, and causes an increase in the production of residue or char.
Its flame retardant efficacy can be enhanced by blending it with ammonium sulfamate.
Ammonium Sulfate has been used in aerial firefighting.
Ammonium sulfate has been used as a wood preservative, but due to its hygroscopic nature, this use has been largely discontinued because of associated problems with metal fastener corrosion, dimensional instability, and finish failures.
Preparation
Ammonium sulfate is made by treating ammonia with sulfuric acid:
2 NH3 + H2SO4 → (NH4)2SO4
A mixture of ammonia gas and water vapor is introduced into a reactor that contains a saturated solution of ammonium sulfate and about 2 to 4% of free sulfuric acid at 60 °C.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is added to keep the solution acidic, and to retain its level of free acid. The heat of reaction keeps reactor temperature at 60 °C.
Dry, powdered ammonium sulfate may be formed by spraying sulfuric acid into a reaction chamber filled with ammonia gas.
The heat of reaction evaporates all water present in the system, forming a powdery salt.
Approximately 6,000 million tons were produced in 1981.
Ammonium sulfate also is manufactured from gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O).
Finely divided gypsum is added to an ammonium carbonate solution.
Calcium carbonate precipitates as a solid, leaving ammonium sulfate in the solution.
(NH4)2CO3 + CaSO4 → (NH4)2SO4 + CaCO3
Ammonium sulfate occurs naturally as the rare mineral mascagnite in volcanic fumaroles and due to coal fires on some dumps.
Properties
Ammonium sulfate becomes ferroelectric at temperatures below –49.5 °C.
At room temperature it crystallises in the orthorhombic system, with cell sizes of a = 7.729 Å, b = 10.560 Å, c = 5.951 Å.
When chilled into the ferrorelectric state, the symmetry of the crystal changes to space group Pna21.
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic sulfate salt obtained by reaction of sulfuric acid with two equivalents of ammonia.
A high-melting (decomposes above 280℃) white solid which is very soluble in water (70.6 g/100 g water at 0℃; 103.8 g/100 g water at 100℃), it is widely used as a fertilizer for alkaline soils.
Ammonium Sulfate has a role as a fertilizer.
Ammonium Sulfate is an ammonium salt and an inorganic sulfate salt.
Ammonium sulfate is a white odorless solid. Sinks and dissolves in water.
Use and Manufacturing
Household & Commercial/Institutional Products
• Auto Products
• Commercial / Institutional
• Inside the Home
• Landscaping/Yard
• Personal Care
• Pesticides
Various Ammonium sulfate uses include applications as:
cattle feed;
in cellulose insulation;
in the chemical industry (for the production of persulfates);
for the production of fire extinguisher powder and flame proofing agents;
in the production of metals (e.g. chromium), and noble metals (e.g. gold), and as a flotation auxiliary in the treatment of ores;
in the woodworking industry for the production of curing agents for urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resins used in the manufacture of chipboard; in the pharmaceutical industry as a nutrient for microorganisms;
in the textile industry as an additive to dye baths, wadding and wicks, and in the production of auxiliaries for textiles processing;
in the wood pulp industry in the production of yeast and sulfite liquor.
Further uses reported in the literature include in shale stabilization and drilling fluids, and for analytical purposes.
Ammonium Sulfate is also used in the manufacturing of ammonia alum, and hydrogen sulfide, wash- and cleaning agents and disinfectants.
Industry Uses:
• Agricultural chemicals (non-pesticidal)
• Dyes
• Fillers
• Flame retardants
• Intermediates
• Laboratory chemicals
• Oxidizing/reducing agents
• Paint additives and coating additives not described by other categories
• Processing aids, not otherwise listed
• Solids separation agents
• Surface active agents
• nutrient in fermentation broths
Consumer Uses:
• Adhesives and sealants
• Agricultural products (non-pesticidal)
• Fabric, textile, and leather products not covered elsewhere
• Fire suppression chemical
• Floor coverings
• Laboratory Use
• Lawn and garden care products
• Metal products not covered elsewhere
• Non-TSCA use
• Water treatment products
General Manufacturing Information
Industry Processing Sectors
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
• All other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing
• Construction
• Food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing
• Oil and gas drilling, extraction, and support activities
• Paint and coating manufacturing
• Paper manufacturing
• Pesticide, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemical manufacturing
• Petroleum refineries
• Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
• Primary metal manufacturing
• Services
• Textiles, apparel, and leather manufacturing
• Utilities
• Wholesale and retail trade
DENTIFICATION AND USE:
Ammonium sulfate is a white solid.
Ammonium sulfate is used primarily as a nitrogen source in commercial fertilizer mixtures or as a direct application fertilizer, which accounts for > 90 % of the total amount.
Ammonium Sulfate is further used in a variety of industrial applications and is also approved as a direct food additive in the EU.
Ammonium Sulfate is registered for use in the USA but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses.
Non-agricultural products containing ammonium sulfate which are intended for use by the general public (e.g. cleaning products, paints); contain ammonium sulfate levels up to 50%.
Ammonium sulfate has been identified as being used in hydraulic fracturing as a breaker.
Description
Ammonium sulfate was the first nitrogenous fertilizer made by the Haber-Bosch process, produced by the reaction of ammonia with sulfuric acid.
In contrast with the nitrate salt, it is chemically stable, not highly hygroscopic.
Ammonium Sulfate also supplies supplemental sulfur to soils that may be deficient in this element, but this is of minor value when it is used on soils receiving applications of ordinary superphosphate.
The disadvantages of the material are its relatively low nitrogen content, which increases storage and transportation costs, and its marked tendency to cause soil acidification, which is greater than that of any other nitrogen fertilizer material.
Ammonium sulfate (AS) is the earliest production and use of nitrogen fertilizer.
Ammonium Sulfate is usually used as a standard nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen content is between 20% to 30%.
Ammonium Sulfate is a very important fertilizer for any kind of soil that's high in pH and needs a little bit of sulfates to work against the high calcium or the high pH.
The nice thing about the ammonium sulfate is that the nitrogen in it is a little bit slower releasing so it lasts throughout the growing season better than the nitrate forms of nitrogen.
In the 1960s, Ammonium sulfate is the main variety of nitrogen fertilizer, but also is a major source to provide crop nutrients sulfur.
Firstly ammonia and sulfuric acid was neutralized to obtain, but later increasing proportion of by-product ammonium sulfate, and now Ammonium sulfate is actually produced as a by-product in many industrial processes including the manufacturing of steel, coking industry, caprolactam, sulfuric acid tail gas desulfurization, desulfurization of power plant, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate, zinc oxide and some polyester compounds.
Pure product of ammonium sulfate is white crystals, heated to 100 ℃ , began to be decomposed into ammonia and ammonium bisulfate, a by-product with a yellowish or gray, small moisture absorption, easy to agglomerate, it is easier to save and easily soluble in water, insoluble ethanol and acetone.
Ammonium sulfate serves as physiological acidic nitrogen fertilizer, is generally more suitable for wheat, corn, rice, cotton, potato, hemp, fruit trees, vegetables and other crops.
For soils, the ammonium sulfate is most suitable for neutral soil and alkaline soil, but not suitable for acidic soil.
Also used as analytical reagents (precipitating agent, masking agent), in electrochemical analysis, supports electrolyte, microbiological culture media and preparation of ammonium salts.
The above information is edited by the Chemicalbook of Liu Yujie.
nitrogenous fertilizer Ammonium sulfate was the first nitrogenous fertilizer made by the Haber-Bosch process, produced by the reaction of ammonia with sulfuric acid.
In contrast with the nitrate salt, it is chemically stable, not highly hygroscopic.
Ammonium Sulfate also supplies supplemental sulfur to soils that may be deficient in this element, but this is of minor value when it is used on soils receiving applications of ordinary superphosphate.
The disadvantages of the material are its relatively low nitrogen content, which increases storage and transportation costs, and its marked tendency to cause soil acidification, which is greater than that of any other nitrogen fertilizer material.
Ammonium sulfate Uses:
Ammonium sulfate is a typical Nitrogen-based, water-soluble, and fast acting fertilizer, for various soil and crop.
Ammonium Sulfate is used largely as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils.
In the soil the ammonium ion is released and forms a small amount of acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil , while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
For the analysis reagents, also for protein precipitation.
Used as flux, fire retardant in textile fabric industry, as the salting-out agent, osmotic pressure regulating agents in medicine.
Used as raw materials of hydrogen peroxide , ammonium chloride, ammonium alum and production in chemical industry, as a flux in the welding industry.
Used as plating bath additives in electroplating industry.
Used as dough modifier, yeast nutrients in food grade product.
Ammonium sulfate is also used as an agricultural spray adjuvant for water soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
There it functions to bind iron and calcium cations that are present in both well water and plant cells.
Chemical Properties
White crystalline powder
Physical properties
White crystalline solid; orthorhombic crystal; density 1.769 g/cm3 at 20°C; melts between 511 to 515°C (in a closed system): however, in an open system, it melts with decomposition at 280°C; readily dissolves in water (solubility, 70.6 g and 104 g per 100 g water at 0°C and 100°C, respectively); insoluble in acetone, alcohol and ether.
Occurrence
Ammonium sulfate occurs in trace concentrations in the upper atmosphere.
Ammonium Sulfate is widely used as a fertilizer for rice and other crops.
Ammonium Sulfate is a source of sulfur for the soil.
Ammonium Sulfate is also used as an additive to supply nutrient nitrogen in fermentation processes (e.g., yeast production from molasses).
Ammonium Sulfate also is used for fireproofing timber and plastics, and in treatment of hides, and leather production.
Uses:
May be used for the precipitation or fractionation of proteins or for purification of antibodies. Useful for crystallographic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins.
manufacture of ammonia alum; in the manufacture of H2SO4 to free it from nitrogen oxides; analytical uses; freezing mixtures, flameproofing fabrics and paper; manufacture of viscose silk; tanning, galvanizing iron; in fractionation of proteins.
The commercial grade is used as fertilizer.
Ammonium Sulfate is a dough conditioner, firming agent, and pro- cessing aid which is readily soluble in water with a solubility of approximately 70 g in 100 g of water at 0°c. the ph of a 0.1 molar solution in water is approximately 5.5.
it is used in caramel produc- tion and as a source of nitrogen for yeast fermentation.
in bakery products, up to 0.25 part per 100 parts by weight of flour is used.
Production Methods
Ammonium sulfate is a high-tonnage industrial chemical, but frequently may be considered a byproduct as well as intended end-product of manufacture.
A significant commercial source of (NH4)2SO4 is its creation as a byproduct in the manufacture of caprolactam, which yields several tons of the compound per ton of caprolactam made.
Ammonium sulfate also is a byproduct of coke oven operations where the excess NH3 formed is neutralized with H2SO4 to form (NH4)2SO4.
In the Meresburg reaction, natural or byproduct gypsum is reacted with ammonium carbonate: CaSO4·2H2O + (NH4)2CO3 CaCO3 + (NH4)2SO4 +2 H2O The product is stable, free-flowing crystals.
As a fertilizer, (NH4)2SO4 has the advantage of adding sulfur to the soil as well as nitrogen.
By weight, the compound contains 21% N and 24% S.
Ammonium sulfate also is used in electric dry cell batteries, as a soldering liquid, as a fire retardant for fabrics and other products, and as a source of certain ammonium chemicals.
Definition
ammonium sulphate: A whiterhombic solid, (NH4)2SO4; r.d. 1.77;decomposes at 235°C.
Ammonium Sulfate is very solublein water and insoluble in ethanol.
Ammonium Sulfate occurs naturally as the mineralmascagnite.
Ammonium sulphatewas formerly manufactured from the‘ammoniacal liquors’ produced duringcoal-gas manufacture but is nowproduced by the direct reaction betweenammonia gas and sulphuricacid.
Ammonium Sulfate is decomposed by heating torelease ammonia (and ammoniumhydrogensulphate) and eventuallywater, sulphur dioxide, and ammonia.
Vast quantities of ammoniumsulphate are used as fertilizers.
General Description
White odorless solid. Sinks and dissolves in water.
Agricultural Uses
Ammonium Sulfate , (NH4)2SO4, a water-soluble crystalline salt is a nitrogenous fertilizer containing about 2 1 % nitrogen and 24 % sulphur.
Ammonium Sulfate occurs naturally as the mineral mascagnite and offers many advantages as a fertilizer, such as low hygroscopicity, good physical properties, excellent chemical stability, good agronomic effectiveness and long shelf life.
Ammoniacal nitrogen is fned in the soil in an exchangeable form until nitrated by nitrifying bacteria.
The ammoniacal nitrogen of Ammonium sulfate does not leach out easily.
Ammonium sulfate is an acid forming fertilizer, and hence used in neutral or alkaline soils.
In its free flowing form, it is directly applied to the soil or blended with other granular materials. Ammonium sulfate also supplies sulphur, which is an essential nutrient for plants.
Ammonium Sulfate is a quick-acting fertilizer.
Ammonium Sulfate is resistant to leaching as it gets adsorbed on the soil colloids, clay and humus, and replaces calcium.
This adsorbed ammonium salt is converted to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria for use by growing plants.
Ammonium Sulfate is produced in different ways, The major ones are: (i) Production from synthesized ammonia and sulphuric acid.
(ii) Production of Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer by the gypsum process is widely used in many developing countries.
In this process, ammonia is used along with pulverized calcium sulphate, carbon dioxide and water.
Here ammonia made from nitrogen and hydrogen, reacts with carbon dioxide gas to produce ammonium carbonate. Ground gypsum reacts with ammonium carbonate solution to form Ammonium Sulfate and calcium carbonate.
Ammonium Sulfate is commonly transported in polythene or paper bags.
Ammonium Sulfate is adsorbed on soil colloids, clay and humus, replacing calcium.
Ammonium Sulfate is more beneficial than nitrate fertilizers at planting time.
This adsorbed portion is slowly released and in about a month most of the Ammonium Sulfate is converted into the nitrate form, which is used by growing plants.
Since rice crops absorb nitrogen even in the ammoniacal form, Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer is used as a source of nitrogen for rice in the USA and Southeast Asia.
In the USA, Ammonium Sulfate is also used for potato scab control.
The main disadvantages of Ammonium Sulfate are its acid forming nature, low nitrogen percentage (21%) and high costs for packaging, storage and transportation.
What Is Ammonium Sulfate?
The chemical compound ammonium sulfate is primarily used in fertilizers but is important in other industries as well.
While it isn’t considered highly hazardous to humans, there are some important precautions to take if you’re using it.
Chemical Properties
Ammonium sulfate, also called diammonium sulfate or sulfuric acid diammonium salt, is a white crystalline solid with no smell.
Ammonium Sulfate tastes salty. The compound dissolves easily in water but will not dissolve in alcohol or acetone.
Ammonium Sulfate readily absorbs water, so if it’s exposed to moist air, it will “scab” on the damp surfaces.
The chemical formula for ammonium sulfate is (NH₄)₂SO₄. When ammonium sulfate reacts with alkaline substances, it gives off ammonia gas.
Finally, ammonium sulfate is a fertilizer that’s sometimes used in making homemade explosives.
Use in Fertilizers
Ammonium sulfate is used most commonly as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils.
When introduced into damp soil, an ammonium ion is released. This creates a small amount of acid, which lowers the pH balance of the soil.
Ammonium Sulfate also contributes nitrogen, which aids in plant growth.
Ammonium Sulfate dissolves relatively slowly, which makes it cheaper than some other artificial fertilizers.
Ammonium sulfate is also used as an herbicide because it will burn the leaves of plants and either kill them outright or at least weaken them for easy removal.
Other Uses
This compound is used in the production of printed circuit boards.
It’s also in flame retardant materials because it lowers the combustion temperature and increases the production of residues or chars.
Ammonium sulfate activates yeast, so it helps to get industrially produced bread to rise, and it’s also a general-purpose food additive.
Finally, it plays an important role in developing vaccines during the purification process.
The DTap vaccine, which protects children from diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, uses ammonium sulfate for this purpose.
Hazards of Use
Ammonium sulfate is potentially dangerous to both people and the environment, so it requires care in its use. Ammonium Sulfate can cause severe irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract if inhaled. Eating or drinking ammonium sulfate will cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although it isn’t toxic unless consumed in large quantities. Contact with the skin or eyes will cause irritation, redness, itching, and pain. Ammonium Sulfate may also be a neurotoxin, meaning it can cause confusion and behavioral changes.
Formula for Ammonium Sulfate
(NH4)2SO4
Properties for Ammonium Sulfate
Molar mass: 132.14 g/mol
Density: 1.769 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point: 235 to 280 °C (455 to 536 °F; 508 to 553 K) (decomposes)
About Ammonium sulfate
Helpful information
Ammonium sulfate is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 1 000 000 to < 10 000 000 tonnes per annum.
Ammonium sulfate is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Biocidal Uses
Ammonium sulfate is being reviewed for use as a biocide in the EEA and/or Switzerland, for: preservation for liquid systems, controlling slimes.
Consumer Uses
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following products: fertilisers and plant protection products.
Other release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate is likely to occur from: outdoor use and indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners).
Article service life
Release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Other release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate is likely to occur from: outdoor use, indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids), indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment) and outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials).
Ammonium sulfate can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical/electronic products (e.g. computers, cameras, lamps, refrigerators, washing machines).
Ammonium sulfate can be found in products with material based on: wood (e.g. floors, furniture, toys), fabrics, textiles and apparel (e.g. clothing, mattress, curtains or carpets, textile toys), leather (e.g. gloves, shoes, purses, furniture) and stone, plaster, cement, glass or ceramic (e.g. dishes, pots/pans, food storage containers, construction and isolation material).
Widespread uses by professional workers
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following products: fertilisers and plant protection products.
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fishing and formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Ammonium sulfate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.
Release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Other release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate is likely to occur from: outdoor use, indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Formulation or re-packing
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following products: fertilisers, plant protection products and pH regulators and water treatment products.
Ammonium sulfate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials and as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates).
Uses at industrial sites
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products, fertilisers, leather treatment products, laboratory chemicals, paper chemicals and dyes and textile treatment products and dyes.
Ammonium sulfate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Ammonium sulfate is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Ammonium sulfate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals and mineral products (e.g. plasters, cement).
Release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate can occur from industrial use: as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), in the production of articles, in processing aids at industrial sites, as processing aid, of substances in closed systems with minimal release and formulation of mixtures.
Other release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners).
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Ammonium sulfate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, formulation of mixtures and as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates).
General description
Ammonium sulfate is commonly used in agriculture as a nitrogen fertilizer.
In aqueous solution, it dissociates to form ammonium and sulfate ions.
Ammonium sulfate has been used in the preparation of ′Blue Silver′ colloidal Coomassie stain for proteins.
Ammonium sulfate may be used for the precipitation or fractionation of proteins or for purification of antibodies. Ammonium Sulfate is also useful for crystallographic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins.
Ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂ SO₄] was one of the first and most widely used nitrogen (N) fertilizers for crop production.
It’s now less common but especially valuable where both N and sulfur (S) are required.
Its high solubility provides versatility for a number of agricultural applications.
Production
Ammonium sulfate (sometimes abbreviated as AS or AMS) has been produced for more than 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. Today, manufacturers make it by reacting sulfuric acid with heated ammonia.
To get the crystal size best suited for the application, they control the reaction conditions by screening and drying the particles until achieving the desired size.
Some materials are coated with a conditioner to reduce dust and caking.
Byproducts from various industries meet most of the current demand for ammonium sulfate.
For example, the nylon manufacturing process produces ammonium sulfate as a co-product.
In another, certain byproducts 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, ammonium sulfate is consistently sold as a highly soluble crystal with excellent storage properties.
As described earlier, particle size can also vary depending on the intended purpose.
Agricultural use
ammoniumsulfate-chemical-properties
Growers apply ammonium sulfate primarily where they need supplemental N and S to meet the nutritional requirement of growing plants.
Since ammonium sulfate contains only 21 percent N, other fertilizer sources more concentrated and economical to handle and transport often make a better choice for N-deficient fields.
However, it provides an excellent source of S, which supports or drives numerous essential plant functions, including protein synthesis.
Because the N fraction is present in the ammonium form of ammonium sulfate, rice farmers frequently apply it to flooded soils, since nitrate-based fertilizers are a poor choice due to denitrification losses.
A solution containing dissolved ammonium sulfate is often added to post-emergence herbicide sprays to improve their effectiveness at weed control.
This practice of increasing herbicide efficacy with ammonium sulfate works particularly well when the water supply contains significant concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) or sodium (Na).
A high-purity grade of ammonium sulfate often works best for this purpose to avoid plugging spray nozzles.
Management practices
After addition to soil, the ammonium sulfate rapidly dissolves into its ammonium and sulfate components.
If it remains on the soil surface, the ammonium may be susceptible to gaseous loss in alkaline conditions.
In these situations, agronomists advise incorporating the material into the soil as soon as possible. Other options include an ammonium sulfate application before irrigation or a predicted rainfall.
Most plants can utilize both ammonium and nitrate forms of N for growth.
In warm soils, microbes will rapidly begin to convert ammonium to nitrate in the process of nitrification [2 NH₄⁺ + 3O₂ → 2NO₃⁻ + 2H₂O + 4H⁺].
During this microbial reaction, acidity [H⁺] is released, which will ultimately decrease soil pH after repeated use.
Ammonium sulfate has an acidifying effect on soil due to the nitrification process, not from the presence of sulfate, which has a negligible effect on pH.
The acid-producing potential of ammonium sulfate is greater than the same N application from ammonium nitrate, for example, since all of the N in ammonium sulfate converts to nitrate, compared with only half of the N from ammonium nitrate that converts to nitrate.
Non-agricultural uses
Food companies commonly add ammonium sulfate to bread products as a dough conditioner.
It’s also a component in fire extinguisher powder and flame-proofing agents.
And it serves many purposes in the chemical, wood pulp, textile and pharmaceutical industries.
Ammonium sulfate is used almost exclusively as a fertilizer material; minor amounts are used in nonfertilizer applications, including use as a cattle feed supplement, for several pharmaceutical applications, and for flameproofing, tanning, mining rare earth metals, food processing, fermentation, textile dyeing, and water treatment.
In 2018, ammonium sulfate was used mainly (95% of world consumption) as a nitrogen fertilizer material and accounted for about 4.8% of the world nitrogen fertilizer market.
Industrial use of ammonium sulfate accounts for only about 5% of world consumption.
Product Applications
Agriculture
Manufacturing of flame retardants
Chemical synthesis
Leather industry
Beamhous
Soaking
Chemical Industry
Explosives
Pyrotechnic
Specialities
Fertilizers
It's primarily used as a fertiliser for alkaline soils as it helps lower the pH balance of the soil, while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
As a food additive it is used as an acidity regulator in flours and breads.
In medicines is a widely used reagent in molecular biology and for the purification of antibodies.
Synonyms: Actamaster, Ammoniumsulfat (2:1), Ammoniumsulfat, Diammonium sulfate, Mascagnite, Sulfuric acid diammonium salt
INCI: Ammonium Sulphate
Chemical Formula: (NH4)2SO4
CAS Number: 7783-20-2
USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR AMMONIUM SULPHATE
INDUSTRIES
Pharma
Lubricants
Water Treatment
Oil & Gas
Cleaning
Animal Nutrition
Coatings & Construction
Food and Nutrition
Agriculture
Cosmetics
Polymers
What is Ammonium Sulfate?
Ammonium sulfate, or [(NH4)2SO4], is an inorganic crystalline salt used in wine, baking, sausage casing and other foods.
Its addition to baked goods provides many benefits, including:
Dough strengthening and conditioning
Dough stabilizing
Buffering
Bread quality enhancing
Yeast survival and growth
Origin and Commercial Production
Ammonium sulfate has been produced for over 150 years from ammonia released from coal coke.
Today, it is produced from the heated reaction of ammonia and sulfuric acid:
2NH3+H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4
Ammonium Sulfate can also be produced commercially as:1
By-product of caprolactam production
Neutralization of ammonium hydroxide with sulfuric acid
Precipitation from gypsum in ammonium carbonate solution
Properties2
This ingredient is a rich source of nitrogen (21%) and sulfur (24%).
Ammonium Sulfate is:
Very soluble in water but insoluble in ethanol
pH of 0.1 M solution is 5.5
Imparts a slight salty taste
Function
In baked goods, this additive is widely used as a:
Dough conditioner
Surfactant
Dough strengthener
Ammonium sulfate can also form ammonium metal sulfates or double salts when reacted with metal sulfates and slowly evaporates to yield the remaining salt particulates.
Application
Various baked goods such as pita, steamed bread, bagels, english muffins and buns all contain this ingredient.
In addition to its role in pH control in flour and baked goods, volume build up, consistency, crumb and shelf life improvement, this ingredient provides nitrogen for the yeast growth and survival.
IUPAC NAMES:
231-984-1, Koksownia Częstochowa Nowa, Ammonium Sulfate
231-984-1, Kombinat Koksochemiczny "Zabrze" S.A., ammonium sulphate
231-984-1, WZK Victoria, ammonium sulphate
Ammoinum sulphate
ammonia sulphate
Ammonium sulate
Ammonium sulfaat
AMMONIUM SULFATE
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammonium sulfate
ammonium sulfate
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammonium sulfate
Ammonium Sulfate (AS)
Ammonium Sulphate
Ammonium sulphate
ammonium sulphate
Ammonium Sulphate
Ammonium sulphat
ammonium sulphate
Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0
Ammonium sulphate aqueous solution
Ammoniumsulfaat
ammoniumsulfaat
Ammoniumsulfat
Ammoniumsulfa
Ammoniumsulfat; ammonium sulphate
Ammoniumsulphate
AS
Azane; sulfuric acid
azane; sulfuric acid
Diammonium sulfate
diammonium sulfate
Diammonium sulfateDiazanium sulfate
diammonium sulfatediazanium sulfate
diammonium sulphate
diammoniumsulfate
DIAZANIUM SULFATE
diazanium sulfate
diazanium;sulfate
diazonium sulfate
Mascagnite
Monochloramine generated from ammonium sulphate and a chlorine source
Biocidal active substances
NPK Nitrogen Phophor Potassiumcomplex fertilizers ( multi constituent substance of ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate and ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate and potassium chloride natural)
sulfate d ammonium
sulfate d'ammonium
Sulfuric acid ammonium salt (1:2)
sulfuric acid diamine
Sulfuric acid diammoniate
sulfuric acid diammoniate
Sulfuric acid diammonium salt
Sulfuric aciddiammonium salt
Síran amonný
SYNONYMS:
AMMONIUM SULFATE
7783-20-2
Diammonium sulfate
Sulfuric acid diammonium salt
Mascagnite
Ammonium sulphate
Ammoniumsulfate
Ammonium sulfate (2:1)
Sulfuric aciddiammonium salt
Sulfuric acid ammonium salt (1:2)
UNII-SU46BAM238
MFCD00003391
Ammonium sulfate [NF]
SU46BAM238
Actamaster
Ammonium sulfate (NF)
Diammonium sulphate
Ammonium sulfate, 99%, pure
Caswell No. 048
Ammonium sulfate, 99%, extra pure
diazanium sulfate
Sulfatom ammoniya
Ammonium sulfate, 99+%, ACS reagent
Ammonium sulfate (solution)
Sulfatom ammoniya [Russian]
Ammonium sulfate, 99%, for biochemistry
Ammonium sulfate, 99.5%, for analysis
HSDB 471
Ammonium sulfate solution
Ammonium sulfate, 99.9995%, (trace metal basis)
EINECS 231-984-1
NSC 77671
Ammonium sulfate, solution
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 005601
sulphate of ammonia
EINECS 268-364-5
EINECS 269-077-8
(C10-C16)Alkyl alcohol sulfuric acid, ammonium salt
Sulfuric acid, mono-C6-10-alkyl esters, ammonium salts
ACMC-1BIUI
SDA 15-062-01
(C6-C10) Linear alkyl sulfate, ammonium salt
Ammonium Sulfate ACS grade
Ammonium sulfate, ultrapure
EC 231-984-1
Ammonium sulfate, CP,98%
H8N2O4S
(C10-C16) Alkylalcohol sulfuric acid, ammonium salt
DTXSID1029704
(NH4)2SO4
Sulfuric acid, mono-C10-16-alkyl esters, ammonium salts
Ammonium sulfate, saturated solution
Ammonium Sulfate, Trace metals grade
AKOS015856589
(N H4)2 (S O4)
Ammonium sulfate, 0.5M aqueous solution
Ammonium sulfate, 99.99% metals basis
Ammonium sulfate, 99.999% (metals basis)
FT-0622348
X4917
D08853
(NH4)2 SO4
actamaster
ammoniumsulfate(2:1)
Wasfcaguite
AMMONIUM SULPHATE SOLUTION NO 2
AMMONIUM SULPHATE TECHNOLOGY
AMONIUM SHLPHATE, TECH
AMMNIUM SULPHATE
AMMONIUM SULPHAT
AMMONIUM SULFATE SIGMAULTRA
AMMONIUM-14N SULFATE, 15N-DEPLETED, 99.9 9 ATOM % 14N, 40 WT. % SOLUTION IN WATER
AMMONIUM SULFATE PURE
AMMONIUM-14N SULFATE, 15N-DEPLETED, 99 A TOM % 14N
AMMONIUM SULFATE, REAGENTPLUS, 99.99+%
SULFUR ICP STANDARD SOLUTION FLUKA
AMMONIUM SULFATE, 99+%, A.C.S. REAGENT
Ammonium sulfate 1 M Solution
AMMONIUM-14N SULFATE, 99.99 ATOM % 14N, 40 WT. % SOLUTION IN WATER
AMMONIA STANDARD SOLUTION
AMMONIUM SULFATE ACS REAGENT
SULFUR ATOMIC ABSORPTION STANDARD SOLUTI ON (H2O)
AMMONIUM SULFATE REAGENT, ~10% IN
AMMONIUM SULFATE SOLUTION, 4.1 M
AMMONIUM SULFATE TECHNICAL
AMMONIUM SULFATE PLANT CELL CULTURETESTE D
Ammonium sulfate, 99.999% metals basis
AMMONIUM SULFATE, ACS
AMMONIUM SULFATE SOLUTION 3.2M IN WATER
AMMONIUM SULFATE R. G., REAG. ACS, REAG. ISO, REAG. PH.
AMMONIUM SULFATE EXTRA PURE
AMMONIUM SULFATE 2M SOLUTION*
Ammonium Sulfate, Crystal, Reagent
Ammonium sulfate, Puratronic(R), 99.999% (metals basis)
AMMONIUM SULFATE GRANULAR
Ammonium Sulfate, 3% Solution
AMMONIUM SULPHATE extrapure AR
AMMONIUM SULPHATE for molecular biology
Ammonium sulfate reagent solution, Ammonium sulfate solution
ammoniumsulfate(solution)
caswellno.048
diammoniumsulphate
dolamin
epapesticidechemicalcode005601
mascagnite
nsc77671
AMMoniuM sulfate, 99.9995%, (trace Metal basis)
AMMoniuM sulfate, 99%, extra pure
AMMoniuM sulfate, 99%, pure
AMMoniuM Sulphate FCC Granular 500gM
AMMONIUM SULFATE 99.9999 SUPRAPUR
AMMONIUM SULFATE FOR ANALYSIS EMSURE
AnMoniuM Sulphate
Crystallization solution 32/Fluka-Kit-No 82009
Ammonium sulfate ACS reagent, >=99.0%
Ammonium sulfate puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., >=99%
Ammonium sulfate ReagentPlus(R), >=99.0%
Ammonium sulfate Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 99%
ACETONE ANHYDROUS
