Decomposition Of NH4NO3 Research Articles

The Chemla Effect in the Internal Mobilities of (Li-NH 4 )N0 3 Melts

Abstract Internal mobility ratios in melts of the system (Li-NH4)NO3 were measured with the Klemm method. Densities and electric conductivities of this system were also measured. From these data the internal mobilities bLi and bNH⁴ were calculated. On account of the inevitable thermal decomposition of NH4NO3 the range of temperatures and concentrations was limited. In these the mobility of NH4 + is considerably greater than that of Li+. In contrast to other binary nitrate systems, the isotherms of the internal mobility of the larger cation distinctly decrease with a decrease of its concentration, in which the fact that NH4NO3, whose cation is moderately light though large in size, melts at relatively low temperature is reflected. The isotherms of bLi and bNH⁴ and the temperature dependence are discussed on the basis of the autor’s interpretation so far presented.

Mechanism for the Chloride-Catalyzed Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Nitrate

A kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of NH4NO3 in the presence of NaCl has been carried out using the differential kinetic technique previously described. The rate law for N2 evolution is of the form k1(NH4+)+k2(NH4+) (Cl—)½. A radical mechanism is proposed in which the role of chloride is catalytic, being oxidized by NO2+ to Cl atoms which are reduced back by NH4+ and NH3. These hydrogen abstraction reactions leave NH3+ and NH2, respectively, in reaction cages in which subsequent radical recombinations yield nitramide and nitrosamine as precursors for N2O and N2. Parallel Cl atom recombinations give Cl2, part of which escapes by volatilization, the rest reacting with NH3 to provide a second source of N2.