The Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations 1991

PROCEDURE

Preparation of the solution

7.—7.1 Weigh to the nearest 0.001 g, 1 g of the prepared sample and place in the Kjeldahl flask. Add 0.5 g of powdered iron (4.2) and 50 ml of the stannous chloride solution (4.11), stir and leave standing for half an hour. During this time it is left standing, stir again after 10 and 20 minutes. Then add 10 g of potassium sulphate (4.3) and 30 ml of sulphuric acid (4.1). Boil and carry on the process for an hour after the appearance of white fumes. Leave to cool and dilute with 100 — 150 ml of water. Transfer the suspension quantitatively into a 250 ml graduated flask, cool and make up to volume with water, mix and filter through a dry filter into a dry container.

Determination

7.2 According to the variant chosen (see Method 2) transfer with a pipette 50, 100 or 200 ml of the solution to the distillation apparatus and add sufficient sodium hydroxide solution (4.12) to ensure a considerable excess. Distil the ammonia and titrate the excess acid as described in Method 2.

Blank test

7.3 Make a blank test (omitting only the sample) under the same conditions and allow for this in the calculation of the final result.

Control test

7.4 Before carrying out the analysis, check that the apparatus is working properly and that the correct application of the method is used with a standard solution containing quantities of ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen comparable to the quantities of cyanamide and nitrate nitrogen contained in nitrated calcium cyanamide.

• For this purpose place 20 ml of the standard solution (4.13) in the Kjeldahl flask.

• Carry out the analysis according to the method described in paragraph 7.