While rooting through the shed:-

 

As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what was
it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing in
mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

Alan

 


Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.


Growmore is an ordinary NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertiliser.
Phosphoric acid is just a source of phosphorus.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

 



Interesting, but I somehow do not think I would have bought it dissolve
parts of bodies, I'm sure it would have been bought to use in the garden,
but what for?

Alan

 


SUPERPHOSPHATE
One of the standard fertilizer products, superphosphate was the first â
€œartificialâ€� to be produced in quantity. Rock phosphate and ra=
w
bones were known to be sources of phosphate but this was present in an
insoluble or unavailable form.

Rock phosphate is crushed and treated with sulphuric acid to convert
it to the soluble form. By law the amount of phosphate in a product is
defined as % phosphoric acid and the statement must confirm its
solubility in water and other chemical reagents. A bi-product of this
process is calcium sulphate, which occurs naturally in gypsum.
Superphosphate produced this way is called single superphosphate
containing 17-19% phosphoric acid (P205), which is soluble in water.
It is typically prepared as a powder, but sources of this are drying
up in favour of triple superphosphate.

In agriculture triple superphosphate is much preferred being more
concentrated containing 44-46% (P205). This is achieved by treatment
of the phosphate rock with raw phosphoric acid, hence the higher
concentration. It is prepared as a prill or pellet which makes it
easier to mechanically apply to farmlands it does not contain any
substantial amounts of sulphur as single superphosphate does.

The primary use for superphosphate is in compound fertilizers, and the
fine powder form in composts. It is best applied in Autumn/Winter and
is most suitable for root crops. It is quicker acting then bone meal
and has a mild acidic action on the soil. Rate of use 2-4 oz./sq.yd.

Triple superphosphate is a more economical form being nearly 3 times
stronger and should be used with caution at 1-2 oz./sq/yd.

As with all phosphatic fertilizers do not over apply for fear that
excess will lock up trace elements.

 


Thanks for that it is most helpful, which makes a change to the efforts of
others who have made comments.

I was under the impression that it was some sort of fertiliser, but it is so
long since I last used it I had forgotten how to use it.

Thanks again.

Alan



SUPERPHOSPHATE
One of the standard fertilizer products, superphosphate was the first â
€œartificialâ€� to be produced in quantity. Rock phosphate and raw
bones were known to be sources of phosphate but this was present in an
insoluble or unavailable form.

Rock phosphate is crushed and treated with sulphuric acid to convert
it to the soluble form. By law the amount of phosphate in a product is
defined as % phosphoric acid and the statement must confirm its
solubility in water and other chemical reagents. A bi-product of this
process is calcium sulphate, which occurs naturally in gypsum.
Superphosphate produced this way is called single superphosphate
containing 17-19% phosphoric acid (P205), which is soluble in water.
It is typically prepared as a powder, but sources of this are drying
up in favour of triple superphosphate.

In agriculture triple superphosphate is much preferred being more
concentrated containing 44-46% (P205). This is achieved by treatment
of the phosphate rock with raw phosphoric acid, hence the higher
concentration. It is prepared as a prill or pellet which makes it
easier to mechanically apply to farmlands it does not contain any
substantial amounts of sulphur as single superphosphate does.

The primary use for superphosphate is in compound fertilizers, and the
fine powder form in composts. It is best applied in Autumn/Winter and
is most suitable for root crops. It is quicker acting then bone meal
and has a mild acidic action on the soil. Rate of use 2-4 oz./sq.yd.

Triple superphosphate is a more economical form being nearly 3 times
stronger and should be used with caution at 1-2 oz./sq/yd.

As with all phosphatic fertilizers do not over apply for fear that
excess will lock up trace elements.