Potassium-calcium-ammonium nitrate samples were obtained by varying the amounts of dolomite mineral (DM) and potassium chloride (KCl) from 0.5 to 25 g per 100 g of ammonium nitrate (AN) melt. The carbonate-chloride-nitrate melt was granulated by the prilling method. At 170 °C, the nitrate melt activated the dolomite mineral, converting CaO and MgO into plant-available forms. The simultaneous addition of DM and KCl significantly improved the mechanical strength of the fertilizer granules while reducing caking, porosity, and diesel fuel absorbency by a factor of 2–3 compared with AN granules containing magnesite. The optimal composition (AN:DM:KCl=100:12:12) was characterized by EDS, SEM, and DTA analyses, which confirmed its favorable structural and physicochemical properties. These findings demonstrate the potential of NKCaMg as a mechanically stable and agronomically effective fertilizer formulation.
Notes:Potassium-calcium-ammonium nitrate samples were obtained by varying the amounts of dolomite mineral (DM) and potassium chloride (KCl) from 0.5 to 25 g per 100 g of ammonium nitrate (AN) melt. The carbonate-chloride-nitrate melt was granulated by the prilling method. At 170 °C, the nitrate melt activated the dolomite mineral, converting CaO and MgO into plant-available forms. The simultaneous addition of DM and KCl significantly improved the mechanical strength of the fertilizer granules while reducing caking, porosity, and diesel fuel absorbency by a factor of 2–3 compared with AN granules containing magnesite. The optimal composition (AN:DM:KCl=100:12:12) was characterized by EDS, SEM, and DTA analyses, which confirmed its favorable structural and physicochemical properties. These findings demonstrate the potential of NKCaMg as a mechanically stable and agronomically effective fertilizer formulation.