Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: chewwcheww on 09/10/2007 04:30:13

Title: Kno3
Post by: chewwcheww on 09/10/2007 04:30:13

I'm trying to make kno3 (saltpeter), can i mix a granular fertilizer together to come out with kno2? something like a 0-0-60, and a 31-0-0,or 15-0-0?? m trying to make a smoke mix for some fun. kno3 and sugar.
thank you,
 sam

Title: Re: Kno3
Post by: another_someone on 09/10/2007 04:53:56

I thought saltpetre was KNO₃ (nitrate not nitrite).

Title: Re: Kno3
Post by: chewwcheww on 09/10/2007 04:59:02

yes i think your right, im sry..

Title: Kno3
Post by: eric l on 09/10/2007 10:38:44

Trying to prepare salpeter (KNO₃) from granulated fertilizers is working backwards :  most granulated fertilizers are blends containing salpeter (and various other components).
Neither will you ever obtain salpeter from mixing dry components.  At least you will have to dissolve them all in water, and next try to separate the different components.

Title: Kno3
Post by: another_someone on 09/10/2007 14:38:34

I understand why chewwcheww spells it 'saltpeter', as that is the American spelling, but Eric, I am surprised that you use the same spelling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltpetre

Quote

Its common names include saltpetre (from Medieval Latin sal petrae: "stone salt" or possibly "Salt of Petra"), American English saltpeter, Nitrate of potash and nitre.

Title: Kno3
Post by: eric l on 09/10/2007 15:40:40

Quote from: another_someone on 09/10/2007 14:38:34

I understand why chewwcheww spells it 'saltpeter', as that is the American spelling, but Eric, I am surprised that you use the same spelling.

Well, I had written "salpeter" but the Spell Check insisted on "saltpeter" - still, I thought I had pushed the "Ignore All" button.  In fact, I remember both spellings being found in textbooks.

Title: Kno3
Post by: chewwcheww on 10/10/2007 04:26:55

In a fertilizer that is containing ''saltpeter''.. yes I'm American. what would the blend be? ?-0-?

-Sammy

Title: Kno3
Post by: eric l on 10/10/2007 10:20:07

The numbers are the "NPK-rating" where

• N stands for the percentage of nitrogen, expressed as nitrogen
• P stands for the percentage of phosphorous, expressed as P₂O₅
• K stands for the percentage of potassium, expressed as K₂O
  

Pure saltpetre or KNO₃ would rate something like 14-0-80

("Salpeter" the way I wrote it is actually the German and Dutch (and Norvegian...) spelling.  We used textbooks in many languages, and many of the European standards have their origin in German (DIN) stndards, hence the confusion.