Things To Remember When Storing Polyphosphates

Sponsored By: Nutrien eKonomics

Things to remember when storing polyphosphates.

The weather this spring created challenging conditions to get crops in the ground. Along with the crops, many growers and ag suppliers were left with products that didn’t make it to the field for application. It’s important to consider proper storage techniques to keep your polyphosphates ready for application.

Polyphosphates are created by binding orthophosphates together into longer chain molecules. This allows the phosphate to stay in solution at higher concentrations of phosphorus. Temperature increases of the solution will cause degradation of the polyphosphate molecules. This can then create precipitation of solids in the solution, which will settle in the bottom of the storage container.

Here are some tips for managing your polyphosphates in storage.

• Store polyphosphates in lighter colored storage containers. That will help keep product temperature down compared to darker storage containers.
  
  
• Do not agitate or circulate your polyphosphates when air/product temperatures are high. This can actually increase the temperature of the solution.
  
  
• Monitor degradation of polyphosphates to help with management decisions.
  •  Ideally, samples should be collected from the top, middle, and bottom of the container.
  • Once samples are collected refrigerate them immediately.
  • Samples should be shipped overnight to determine orthophosphate content (do not use two- or three-day shipping — that can allow the sample to get too warm). Ideally, samples should be shipped cool in an insulated container.
    
    
• If the analysis reveals the polyphosphate concentration is approaching 60 percent (orthophosphate is approaching 40 percent), add fresh polyphosphate to the container. If the analysis reveals polyphosphate concentration is approaching 65 percent, ordering additional polyphosphate (to be added to the container) is recommended before the concentration of polyphosphate gets too low.
  
  
• If polyphosphate concentration dips below 60 percent, solids are likely to precipitate in the solution.
  
  
• Once precipitated, solids will not go back into solution when fresh polyphosphate is added.
  
  
• Containers that have access points 18-24 inches off the bottom of the tank can be used to decant polyphosphate (free of solids) out of the tank.
  
  
• Obviously, try to move the polyphosphate as soon as possible.

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