SINGLE SUPERPHOSPHATE: SSP is a straight phosphatic multi-nutrient fertilizer which contains 14%-18% water soluble P2O5, 12% sulphur,

21% calcium and some other essential micro nutrients in small proportions. SSP, which is a poor farmer's fertilizer (price-wise), is an option to optimize the use of phosphatic fertilizers. If single super phosphate contains 18% or more p2O5 then it is A grade single super phosphate and if >18% then it is B grade single superphosphate. Outward Appearance: gray and gray white powder/granules Manufacturing of SSP: Manufacturing of SSP is based on perhaps the simplest chemical reaction amongst chemical fertilizer industry. The main raw materials required are rock phosphate and sulphuric acid. It is manufactured by the action of 70% sulfuric acid and rock phosphate. If we use more than 70% conc sulphuric acid then lums formation will star which will decrease conversion.

Ca F2. 3Ca3 (PO4)2 + 7H2SO4 + 14H2O Physical Properties:

3Ca(H2PO4)2 + 7Ca SO4 . 2H2O + 2HF

Single superphosphate is gray and gray white powder or tiny granules with certain granular compression strength. It has certain acidity and certain hydroscopic property. Its density is 2.22g/cm3 and pile density around 1120kg/m3 (granules) and 1280-1440kg/m3 (powder).

It dissolves well in water and acid.

Chemical Properties: It is stable under normal temperature without redox. It does not combust nor explode when it is under high temperature or contacts acid base and redox materials. To prevent from caking and going bad, it should be kept indoor or be covered with protection materials like canvas and free from the blazing sun. Advantages of SSP Fertilizer: 1. Lowest price per kg, preferred by small and marginal farmers. 2. Multi-nutrient fertilizer containing P2O5 as primary nutrient and Sulphur and Calcium as secondary nutrients. 3. It is the cheapest source of Sulphur for the soil. 4. Only phosphatic fertilizer which can utilize Pakistani rock phosphate deposits. 5. Least foreign exchange per unit of P2O5. 6. Utilizes acid effluent from other chemical industry and thus reduces nation's cost of effluent disposal. 7. 8. 9. It softens the soil and hence improves the soil capability to absorb water. Increases the chlorophyll in plants. Reduces PH level of soil.

10. It improves the quality of vegetables and fruits. 11. It is used for sugar cane and tea crops. References: http://fert.nic.in/production/ssp_units_overview.asp http://www.chemyq.com/En/xz/xz13/124636bbkaj.htm http://www.ythic.com/en/cpinfo.asp?RowID=8 http://www.scribd.com/search?query=single+super+phosphate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superphosphate http://safigroups.net/ProductSSP.aspx