I installed a mixing station for a commercial fertilizer company almost 40 years ago that system used anhydrous ammonia injected into the water basically in a giant stainless steel blender to break down urea phosphorus and potash. It worked extremely well if you use the product within 48 hours after that some of it started to settle out it could be a problem with plugging filters and equipment
That's a very good question. I have been told that I would be eating out pumps left right and center. The truth of the matter is I am still using the same pump that is shown in the video. So I don't think there is much validity to that claim, as the 18 - 0 - 0 is significantly less salty and corrosive than 28 - 0 - 0
Thank you so much for the replies! I was concerned about the plastic impeller wearing down from the fertilizer passing through the pump until it dissolves. Found a used one. Gonna try that just like you- “until it falls apart” lol
Hi, thanks for your enquiry. Once it is put into liquid suspension, it stays solubilized until it goes below about -20 C, then it will settle out. However, in the spring if you start circulating it, the product will go back into suspension no problem, and stay suspended. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the reply! Have you ever used a plastic pump? I may be buying one to do what you’re doing, but on a smaller scale. But now you have me thinking I should get a cast pump
Plastic pumps are fine. I was just using what I had and I thought I would use it until it fell apart. So far that hasn't happened yet but if you were going to buy one you may as well purchase a plastic one and that way you have eliminated any chance there would be an issue with corrosion
Solubilized urea does not cause excessive damage to the pump, contrary to what some might tell you. The pump you saw in the video that was recorded back in 2011 was just retired this summer to other duties as our new 7000 gallon solubilizing tank required a 3-inch pump. This is another reason that I like solubilized urea. It is not corrosive to equipment unlike 28-0-0 urea ammonium nitrate.
We apply the melted urea at 5 US gallons per acre, which is 10 lb of actual nitrogen. We will then put that into 5 gallons of water for a 10-gallon total solution. Based on research, the efficiency factor is approximately 4.2 to 1, as the melted urea is in a form that is very easy for the plant to pull it across the concentration gradient through the trans-cuticular pores with very little energy expenditure. With this efficiency, 10 lb of melted urea applied as a foliar will give the same effect as 42 LB of 46-0-0 placed in the ground
Have you tried this on grass pastures with some liquid p and k. Any comment would be appreciated here in Missouri USA. I just think I am just blowing $ on dry fertilizer.
We have clients who have actually done exactly that. Up here we have an orthophosphate product in the form of 3-18-18. If you add a couple of litres per acre of that to your melted urea, you should see some pretty impressive results. Urea in the melted aqueous form applied with flat fan nozzles has an efficiency Factor a 4.2 to 1 over using dry fertilizer. If you think that's impressive, University of California, Davis did a nine-year study and found that orthophosphate fertilizer applied as a foliar has an efficiency Factor of 17 to 1 over granular phosphorus which doesn't move much once it's in the soil anyway. I would suggest in addition to this, you look at putting a little bit of fulvic acid in with your mixture to facilitate uptake into the plant , and if you really want to get the full benefits, consider putting a compost tea with trichoderma species in the mix, and Watch What Happens! Good luck!
in interesting process, combination of thermodynamics and chemistry. clearly you have a degree in chemistry.I applaud you sir.
I installed a mixing station for a commercial fertilizer company almost 40 years ago that system used anhydrous ammonia injected into the water basically in a giant stainless steel blender to break down urea phosphorus and potash. It worked extremely well if you use the product within 48 hours after that some of it started to settle out it could be a problem with plugging filters and equipment
Very interesting. Great job with the video as well
2 big thumbs up. Thanks for putting this video up.
Thank you very much. It's amazing how much controversy this video created
How do the pump impellers hold up with the wear from the urea? I see you’re using aluminum housing pumps. Have you ever used poly pumps? Any thoughts?
That's a very good question. I have been told that I would be eating out pumps left right and center. The truth of the matter is I am still using the same pump that is shown in the video. So I don't think there is much validity to that claim, as the 18 - 0 - 0 is significantly less salty and corrosive than 28 - 0 - 0
Thank you so much for the replies! I was concerned about the plastic impeller wearing down from the fertilizer passing through the pump until it dissolves. Found a used one. Gonna try that just like you- “until it falls apart” lol
Awesome video!! As 1 of our politicians thinks. Anyone can farm!! 😂
Howdy I’m on the lawn care of side of things. Want to switch from uan to urea. After being melted how long will it stay in Solution? Thanks.
Hi, thanks for your enquiry. Once it is put into liquid suspension, it stays solubilized until it goes below about -20 C, then it will settle out. However, in the spring if you start circulating it, the product will go back into suspension no problem, and stay suspended. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the reply! Have you ever used a plastic pump? I may be buying one to do what you’re doing, but on a smaller scale. But now you have me thinking I should get a cast pump
Plastic pumps are fine. I was just using what I had and I thought I would use it until it fell apart. So far that hasn't happened yet but if you were going to buy one you may as well purchase a plastic one and that way you have eliminated any chance there would be an issue with corrosion
Urea ammonium Damages of the pump isn't it ?
Solubilized urea does not cause excessive damage to the pump, contrary to what some might tell you. The pump you saw in the video that was recorded back in 2011 was just retired this summer to other duties as our new 7000 gallon solubilizing tank required a 3-inch pump. This is another reason that I like solubilized urea. It is not corrosive to equipment unlike 28-0-0 urea ammonium nitrate.
Hello, may I ask at what rate is it applied at?
We apply the melted urea at 5 US gallons per acre, which is 10 lb of actual nitrogen. We will then put that into 5 gallons of water for a 10-gallon total solution. Based on research, the efficiency factor is approximately 4.2 to 1, as the melted urea is in a form that is very easy for the plant to pull it across the concentration gradient through the trans-cuticular pores with very little energy expenditure. With this efficiency, 10 lb of melted urea applied as a foliar will give the same effect as 42 LB of 46-0-0 placed in the ground
Have you tried this on grass pastures with some liquid p and k. Any comment would be appreciated here in Missouri USA. I just think I am just blowing $ on dry fertilizer.
We have clients who have actually done exactly that. Up here we have an orthophosphate product in the form of 3-18-18. If you add a couple of litres per acre of that to your melted urea, you should see some pretty impressive results. Urea in the melted aqueous form applied with flat fan nozzles has an efficiency Factor a 4.2 to 1 over using dry fertilizer. If you think that's impressive, University of California, Davis did a nine-year study and found that orthophosphate fertilizer applied as a foliar has an efficiency Factor of 17 to 1 over granular phosphorus which doesn't move much once it's in the soil anyway. I would suggest in addition to this, you look at putting a little bit of fulvic acid in with your mixture to facilitate uptake into the plant , and if you really want to get the full benefits, consider putting a compost tea with trichoderma species in the mix, and Watch What Happens! Good luck!
I guess I would just buy liquid 28-0-0 or 32-0-0 mixed already. Seems like a lot of work over a dry spreader.
Thanks for sharing Patrick ... well done!! Keep sharing. if you contact me I can provide some added advice.