The Probert Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology

AMMONIUM SULPHATE

Ammonium sulphate is a brown-grey to white crystalline solid which is used primarily as a nitrogen fertilizer. It is a particularly good fertilizer for rice. It is also used as a general-purpose food additive and as an additive to supply nitrogen in fermentation processes. It is produced by the reaction of by-product ammonia from coke ovens with sulphuric acid.

Ammonium sulphate is a powerful oxidiser. When heated, the sulphate decomposes at 100 degrees C and yields ammonium bisulphate. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of nitrous oxide, ammonia, and sulphur trioxide. Ammonium sulphate is insoluble in alcohol and acetone. If mixed with oxidisers, ammonium sulphate is an explosion hazard during a fire. Ammonium sulphate is also known as ammonium hydrogen sulphate, diammonium sulphate, and sulphuric acid, diammonium salt.
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