Abstract:
PETROLEUM COKE IS CONVERTED TO A PRODUCT CONTAINING UP TO 12.3% NITROGEN BY AMMOXIDATION OF THE COKE FOLLOWED BY TREATING THE AMMOXIDIZED PRODUCT WITH CONCENTRATED NITRIC ACID AND NEUTRALIZING THE RESULTING PRODUCT WITH CONCENTRATED AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE. IF THE INITIAL AMMOXIDATION STEP IS OMITTED A PRODUCT CONTAINING AROUND 7% NITROGEN IS OBTAINED. THE PRODUCT WILL NOT HARM PLANTS AND ACTS AS A MULCH AFTER ITS NITROGEN HAS BEEN DEPLETED. A MICRONUTRIENT SUCH AS BORAX OR A SIMILAR WATER-SOLUBLE SALT CAN BE ADDER EITHER DURING THE AMMOXIDATION OR THE NEUTRALIZATION STEPS TO FORM A PRODUCT WHICH IS BOTH A MICRONUTRIENT AND A SOURCE NITROGEN.