Producing Fertiliser Experiment

Producing Fertiliser Experiment

The aim of this experiment will be to produce a small batch of

ammonium nitrate fertiliser using nitric acid and ammonia, and to

calculate the percentage yield produced and compare with the

theoretical yield. I think we will be able to produce fertiliser

however because of the equipment we have available to use it may not

be possible to produce a relatively high yield compared to fertiliser

produced in industry.

Apparatus

* 10ml 1M HNO3 (nitric acid)

* 10ml 1M aqueous NH3

* Evaporating Dish

* Methyl-Orange Indicator

* Bunsen Burner, Tripod, and Metal Gauze

* Ice cubes

* Filter paper, funnel, and 50ml beaker

* 3-figure balance

Method

1. Add the 10ml of HNO3 into the evaporating dish

2. Add 3 drops of the methyl-orange indicator

3. Slowly add the NH3 until the solution turns neutral

4. Place the evaporating dish with the solution onto a tripod with

metal gauze to support the evaporating dish, and evaporate to a

fifth of the original volume by heating using the Bunsen burner.

5. Place the evaporating dish along with contents into an ice tray

to re-crystallise the fertiliser.

6. Dry the crystals by placing them on a weighed piece of filter

paper

7. To calculate the weight of the fertiliser, simply weigh the

filter paper along with the crystals, and then subtract the weight

of the filter paper to find out the weight for just the crystals.

Results

After producing the fertiliser it was necessary to examine the yield

produced so we could see how successful the experiment was and compare

this with the theoretical yield. To calculate the theoretical yield we