A Composition for Fixing Ammoniacal Nitrogen used in Agriculture.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by LOUIS BURONI and PAUL MARCHAND, both of
Fiorenzuolad' Arda, Piacenza, in the Kingdom of Italy.]
A Composition for Fixing Ammoniacal Nitrogen used in Agriculture.
I, JOHN THOMAS KNOWLES, Manager to the firm of D. Young & Co., Patent
Agents, 11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a composition for fixing ammoniacal nitrogen used in
agriculture, which composition I term "azotol." This compound is the product of
the reaction which takes place between concentrated sulphuric acid and such organic
substances as contain in their molecules, oxygen and hydrogen in the same
proportions in which they are contained in water.
The concentrated sulphuric acid on coming into contact with these substances,
soon decomposes them, at the same time becoming hydrated at the expense of their
hydrogen or their oxygen and thus liberating the carbon. The latter, in con-
sequence of the said reaction, is obtained in the form of a black mass having the
appearance of coal and containing in its pores the sulphuric acid which penetrates
into the same to attack, molecule by molecule, the organic substance with which it
is brought into contact.
In order to prepare the composition or "azotol," a certain quantity of the con-
centrated sulphuric acid is poured into a vessel or vat which is not liable to be
attacked by the sulphuric acid, whether the said acid be pure or not. A suitable
quantity of straw or of wood-sawdust or other suitable vegetable residue, very dry
and cut as fine as practicable, is then introduced into the acid, and the whole is
mixed until the mixture is sufficiently homogeneous.
Then, before the reaction has taken place, the mixture is poured into a vessel
which cannot be attacked by the sulphuric acid, and, after the said vessel has been
covered, it is left until the mass becomes cold, directly the reaction, which reveals
itself by a great development of sulphuric acid and of heat, is accomplished.
The cooled mixture is then drawn from the said vessel, and reduced to powder,
and in this state is ready for the market.
The proportions of sulphuric acid and of the organic substance employed are as
follows:-
:-
To each 100 parts by weight of concentrated sulphuric acid such a quantity of
the said organic matter is employed as will furnish in the organic state 18-8 parts
of water, in such a manner that each molecule of acid is hydrated by one molecule
or less of water formed by the decomposition of the said organic substance. The
proportions of acid and organic matter will vary according to the desired richness
in acid of the product, and according to the kind of organic matter used. The
proportions will usually be from fifty to seventy-five per cent. of acid and from fifty
to twenty-five per cent. of organic matter.
The resulting composition or "azotol" is a dry black mass, charred or carbonized
and very friable, which, however much it may contain up to 75 per cent. of free
concentrated sulphuric acid, is obtained in a solid state, does not sensibly draw or
absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and may be transported and handled with
safety, because it no longer presents the phenomenon of causticity of liquid sulphuric
acid having the same degree of concentration.
The composition or "azotol " has for its object to permit, by virtue of its facility
of being handled, the employment of sulphuric acid itself in agriculture, in which
it will serve to completely prevent the immense loss of nitrogen which actually

page_text: takes place, from the nitrogen which is developed in the form of ammonia from
animal evacuations by reason of ammonical fermentation.
This effect is obtained by scattering the composition or
66 azotol " upon dunghills,
or by throwing it into dung-pits, ditches or the like in order to prevent, if it is
employed in suitable proportions, the ammonical fermentation; or it is left exposed
in stables. It may also be placed in foul rivers or streams, or put into suitable
receptacles, for the absorption of the ammonia with which the atmosphere is always
impregnated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The composition hereinbefore described for effecting the fixation of ammoniacal
nitrogen used in agriculture.
July 1892.
11 & 12,
D. YOUNG & Co.,
Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.