Q: A potassic fertiliser sample contains 50% K2O (potash) by analysis. Which product is consistent with this K2O content under standard commercial specifications?

Introduction / Context: Potassic fertilisers are often reported as % K2O (potash) equivalent. Recognising which commercial salts align with a given K2O analysis helps in selecting products for chloride-sensitive crops and in interpreting fertiliser labels across markets. Given Data / Assumptions: K2SO4 (sulphate of potash, SOP) typically assays ~50–52% K2O. KCl (muriate of potash, MOP) typically assays ~60–62% K2O. Mixed salts (NaCl + KCl) do not have a fixed K2O content and usually indicate diluted potash. Concept / Approach: Match the reported K2O percentage to standard assay values for common potassic products. A 50% K2O analysis aligns with potassium sulphate, which is preferred for chloride-sensitive crops such as tobacco, certain fruits, and potatoes. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall typical analyses: SOP ≈ 50% K2O; MOP ≈ 60% K2O.Compare to given value: 50% K2O → SOP.Exclude KCl due to higher assay; exclude generic mixtures lacking a standard 50% value.Select potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Verification / Alternative check: Product datasheets and fertiliser regulations list SOP at ~50% K2O and MOP at ~60% K2O, corroborating the identification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Potassium chloride: typically ~60–62% K2O. NaCl + KCl mixture: variable K2O; not a standard 50% grade. None of these and KNO3: KNO3 has ~46% K2O equivalent and significant nitrogen, not exactly 50%. Common Pitfalls: Confusing K2O equivalent with elemental potassium percentage; labels conventionally use K2O equivalents. Final Answer: potassium sulphate (K2SO4)

Q: Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement: which fertilizer is commonly used in controlled amounts as a cattle-feed additive for ruminants?

Introduction / Context: Ruminants (cattle, sheep) can utilize non-protein nitrogen sources because microbes in the rumen synthesize amino acids and microbial protein from ammonia and carbon skeletons. Urea, a high-analysis nitrogen compound, is therefore used in small, controlled quantities as a feed additive to boost the nitrogen supply to rumen microbes. The practice is highly regulated and must be managed carefully to avoid toxicity. Given Data / Assumptions: The question asks which fertilizer doubles as an NPN feed. Rumen microbiota can convert urea → ammonia → microbial protein when sufficient fermentable energy is present. Dose control and mixing uniformity are essential for animal safety. Concept / Approach: Among the listed fertilizers, only urea is widely recognized and intentionally used as an NPN supplement for ruminants. CAN, SSP, and ammonium sulfate are plant nutrients and not fed as NPN sources; they also contain components (e.g., nitrate, sulfate) that are inappropriate or risky for feed usage in that manner. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify ruminant NPN source: feed-grade urea.Understand conversion: urea → NH3 in rumen; microbes incorporate N into amino acids.Check alternatives: CAN, SSP, ammonium sulfate are not used as feed NPN additives.Select urea. Verification / Alternative check: Animal nutrition guides specify allowable inclusion rates for feed-grade urea and warn about mixing thoroughly with carbohydrate feeds to prevent ammonia surges. Why Other Options Are Wrong: CAN: nitrate content poses methemoglobinemia risk; not a standard feed additive.SSP: a phosphate fertilizer; not an NPN source.Ammonium sulfate: not safely used as an NPN feed; sulfate can create imbalances. Common Pitfalls: Applying urea intended for fertilizer rather than feed-grade urea; overdosing without adequate readily fermentable carbohydrates; offering to non-ruminants, which cannot utilize NPN. Final Answer: Urea

Q: At the Trombay (RCF) complex, nitrophosphate is manufactured. In fertilizer classification, nitrophosphate is best described as which type of fertilizer?

Introduction / Context: Nitrophosphate processes (e.g., Odda) produce fertilizers containing both nitrogen and phosphorus in chemically combined forms. Unlike simple blends, complex fertilizers have nutrients present as part of the same granule through chemical reactions, improving uniformity of nutrient distribution and handling characteristics. Given Data / Assumptions: Nitrophosphate is produced by reacting phosphate rock with nitric acid, followed by neutralization and finishing. Product contains N and P; potassium may be added to make NPK complexes. Terminology: “mixed” implies physical blending; “complex” implies chemical combination within a single product matrix. Concept / Approach: Because nitrophosphate nutrients are generated by chemical reaction and incorporated in each particle, the product is a complex fertilizer. While any fertilizer may exhibit some hygroscopicity, “highly hygroscopic” is not the defining class, and “highly explosive” is incorrect for finished nitrophosphate products managed under normal fertilizer safety protocols. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify production route: nitric acid digestion of rock phosphate.Recognize nutrient incorporation into particle matrix.Differentiate complex vs mixed: chemical vs physical mixing.Select “complex fertilizer.” Verification / Alternative check: Fertilizer manuals classify nitrophosphates among complex N–P or N–P–K fertilizers based on chemical manufacture rather than physical blending. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Mixed: implies blend of separate nutrient salts, not chemically co-produced.Highly hygroscopic: property, not a type.Highly explosive: not an attribute of finished nitrophosphate fertilizers. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “nitro” in the name with explosives; equating any multi-nutrient fertilizer with a “mixed” product regardless of manufacturing route. Final Answer: Complex fertilizer

Q: Plant nutrition basics: among the following, which nutrient is NOT classified as a primary (macronutrient) required in largest quantities by plants?

Introduction / Context: Plant essential nutrients are grouped by the typical quantities needed: primary macronutrients (N, P, K), secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg, S), and micronutrients (e.g., Fe, Zn, Mn). Examinations often test recognition of these categories because they guide fertilizer recommendations and soil fertility diagnostics. Given Data / Assumptions: Primary macronutrients supply the bulk of plant demand and are the main focus of NPK fertilizers. Secondary macronutrients are needed in gram-to-kilogram per hectare ranges but less than NPK. Micronutrients are required in small amounts (mg to g per hectare). Concept / Approach: Among the options, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three “primary” nutrients. Sulfur, while essential, is classed as a secondary macronutrient. Therefore, sulfur is the one that does not belong to the primary group in the choices provided. Step-by-Step Solution: List primary nutrients: N, P, K.Compare with options: Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus are primary.Recognize Sulfur as secondary macronutrient.Select Sulfur as the correct response. Verification / Alternative check: Agronomy texts and fertilizer labeling standards (N–P–K emphasis) confirm categorization. Sulfur is increasingly managed where atmospheric S deposition has declined, but its classification remains secondary. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus: all are primary macronutrients by definition. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “importance” with “classification”; while sulfur can be critically deficient, it is still not grouped with N, P, K in the primary category. Final Answer: Sulfur (S)

Q: Gas-based fertilizer complexes: what is the principal role of natural gas in such plants with respect to ammonia production?

Introduction / Context: Ammonia plants require a large supply of hydrogen. In gas-based fertilizer complexes, natural gas is the dominant feedstock because it reformats efficiently into synthesis gas with a high hydrogen yield and relatively low carbon intensity compared with oil/coal routes. While natural gas may also serve as a fuel, its defining role is as a hydrogen source for the ammonia loop. Given Data / Assumptions: Plant type: gas-based (not coal-based/coke-oven gas). Core step: steam reforming/ATR of methane-rich gas to H2 + CO/CO2. Downstream: shift, CO2 removal, methanation, and ammonia synthesis with N2. Concept / Approach: Natural gas (primarily methane) reacts with steam to yield hydrogen. The produced CO is shifted with steam to additional H2 and CO2. After CO2 removal and polishing, the H2 combines with nitrogen in the Haber–Bosch loop. Although natural gas also fires furnaces, the answer focuses on its principal process role in gas-based fertilizer plants. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the hydrogen source in a gas-based plant: natural gas via reforming.Acknowledge ancillary usage as fuel but not the core process identity.Exclude coal gas options as they pertain to coal-based schemes.Choose the option stating natural gas provides hydrogen for ammonia. Verification / Alternative check: Standard ammonia technology references describe the natural-gas reforming route as the global workhorse for H2 supply in fertilizer industry. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Only heating medium” understates the central role of gas as chemical feed.Coal gas options describe a different, coal-based flowsheet not applicable here. Common Pitfalls: Confusing fuel service with feedstock service; overlooking that natural gas fulfills both roles but is principally valued for its hydrogen yield. Final Answer: Natural gas is used as the source of hydrogen for ammonia synthesis

Q: For naphtha feeds used in nitrogenous-fertilizer hydrogen plants, what is the approximate carbon-to-hydrogen mass (C/H) ratio of the feedstock?

Introduction / Context: Design and operation of reformers depend on the elemental composition of the hydrocarbon feed. The carbon-to-hydrogen ratio influences steam-to-carbon targets, reforming severity, and downstream CO2 removal loads. Naphtha used in legacy ammonia/hydrogen plants can be approximated by paraffinic compositions similar to the empirical unit “CH2,” which simplifies quick estimates. Given Data / Assumptions: Naphtha is approximated as a paraffinic mix near the CH2 empirical composition. We consider C/H on a mass basis (not atomic ratio). Rule-of-thumb estimate suffices for exam purposes. Concept / Approach: For the CH2 basis, the molecular mass is 14, with 12 units from carbon and 2 from hydrogen. Thus, the carbon mass to hydrogen mass ratio is 12:2 = 6:1, i.e., C/H by weight ≈ 6. This approximation aligns well with typical light naphtha reformer design calculations used historically in fertilizer complexes when exact ultimate analyses are not provided. Step-by-Step Solution: Assume naphtha ≈ (CH2)n for estimation.Compute mass ratio: C/H = 12 / 2 = 6.Match to nearest option: “About 6.”Note that real feeds vary, but 6 is the accepted exam benchmark. Verification / Alternative check: Ultimate analyses of paraffinic naphthas typically yield carbon mass fractions around 84–86% and hydrogen around 14–16%, again consistent with a C/H mass ratio near 6. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 2: far too hydrogen-rich for naphtha; fits lighter species than CH2 average.13 or 20: imply extremely carbon-rich feeds more akin to asphaltenic/heavy oils, not light naphtha for reforming. Common Pitfalls: Confusing mass ratio with atomic ratio; using C/H atomic ratio (~0.5 for CH2) would mislead if not converted to mass basis. Final Answer: About 6

Question 1

Although liquid anhydrous ammonia contains about 82% nitrogen, it is generally not applied directly as fertiliser in tropical regions (such as India). What is the primary practical reason?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Liquid anhydrous ammonia is a concentrated nitrogen source widely used in temperate agriculture with specialized injection equipment. Climatic and logistical factors influence whether direct ammonia application is practical or safe, especially in warmer regions. Given Data / Assumptions: Boiling point of NH3 ≈ −33 °C at 1 atm. Tropical ambient temperatures are far above this value. Field application requires high-pressure tanks, injectors, and soil sealing. Concept / Approach: Because ammonia boils at very low temperature, it flashes to gas at normal tropical ambient conditions. Without dedicated injection and immediate soil sealing, large losses occur and safety issues arise, making routine direct application uncommon compared to solids (urea) or solutions (UAN) in these contexts. Step-by-Step Solution: Note physical property: low boiling point → rapid vaporisation.Relate to field practice: difficult to contain/inject under hot conditions without sophisticated equipment.Conclude primary reason: vaporises at normal temperature, causing loss and hazards.Other factors (toxicity, odour) are secondary to volatility in this context. Verification / Alternative check: Adoption patterns correlate with infrastructure: regions with widespread anhydrous ammonia application use specialised equipment and practices to prevent volatilisation; tropical smallholder systems favour urea granules. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Pungent smell: true but not the decisive technical barrier. Toxic/corrosive: ammonia hazards are managed; volatility is the main practical hurdle. Short supply/banned: not universally true; depends on market and regulation. Common Pitfalls: Confusing hazard characteristics with the primary physical limitation of high vapour pressure at ambient temperatures. Final Answer: vaporises at normal temperature

Question 2

Hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) of naphtha prior to reforming or ammonia synthesis uses which standard catalyst system?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sulphur poisons downstream catalysts (e.g., reforming, steam reforming, ammonia synthesis). Therefore, feed purification via hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) is standard. Recognising the correct catalyst system is basic process knowledge in fertiliser and petroleum refining technology. Given Data / Assumptions: Naphtha contains organosulphur impurities. HDS converts sulphur compounds to H2S in the presence of H2. Industrial HDS catalysts are supported sulfides of transition metals. Concept / Approach: Co–Mo (cobalt–molybdenum) sulfide supported on alumina is the classic HDS catalyst for light and middle distillates, including naphtha. It provides high activity for C–S bond scission under typical temperatures and pressures. Alternatives like Ni–Mo are also used, but Pt–Rh and silica gel are not HDS catalysts; nickel alone is far less effective for complex feeds. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify standard HDS family: Co–Mo/Al2O3 or Ni–Mo/Al2O3.Select the canonical option provided: Co–Mo on alumina.Exclude noble metal pairs (Pt–Rh) used for different services.Therefore, choose Co–Mo on alumina. Verification / Alternative check: Process schematics in ammonia plants show naphtha HDS reactors upstream of reformers, loaded with Co–Mo/Al2O3 catalysts and followed by ZnO for H2S removal. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Pt–Rh: reforming/oxidation, not HDS. Silica gel: adsorbent, not a hydrotreating catalyst. Nickel only: insufficient for broad HDS at standard conditions. Cu–Zn–Al2O3: low-temperature shift catalyst, not HDS. Common Pitfalls: Confusing hydrotreating (sulfided Co–Mo/Ni–Mo) with reforming (Pt-based) or shift (Cu–Zn–Al2O3) catalysts. Final Answer: Co–Mo on alumina

Question 3

Manufacturing orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4): compared to the electric furnace route, the strong H2SO4 wet-process leaching route has which combined characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Orthophosphoric acid is produced either by the electric furnace route (thermal process) or by the wet process using sulphuric acid to digest phosphate rock. Each route entails trade-offs in feed quality, capital cost, and product purity—knowledge pivotal for fertiliser complex design. Given Data / Assumptions: Wet process digests phosphate rock with strong H2SO4. Electric furnace reduces phosphate rock to elemental phosphorus, then oxidises and hydrates it to H3PO4. Industrial goal: fertiliser-grade acid for downstream NP/NPK or high-purity for technical uses. Concept / Approach: The wet process tolerates lower-grade rock and requires less capital than the furnace route, but the produced acid contains more impurities (fluoride, metals, organics), making it fertiliser-grade unless further purified. The furnace process is capital- and energy-intensive but yields very pure acid suitable for food/technical uses. Step-by-Step Solution: Match process traits: wet process → lower-grade rock acceptable.Economics: wet process → lower CAPEX than furnace.Quality: wet process → lower purity than furnace acid.Therefore, all three statements (a), (b), and (c) hold. Verification / Alternative check: Industry practice dedicates wet-process acid to fertiliser manufacture, while furnace acid serves high-purity markets, confirming the comparative profile. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Any single option (a, b, or c) alone is incomplete. Very costly (wet process) is incorrect; the furnace route is typically more capital- and energy-intensive. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “wet” implies impure in all cases; purification steps can upgrade quality but at added cost. Final Answer: all of (a), (b), and (c)

Question 4

In urea manufacture and handling, biuret content is kept below about 1%. What is the main agronomic reason for limiting biuret to such a low level?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Biuret forms by the condensation of urea molecules at elevated temperatures or long residence times. While chemically related to urea, biuret has undesirable biological effects on certain crops, especially when urea is foliar-applied or used in sensitive stages of growth. Given Data / Assumptions: Biuret content targeted < 1% in many fertiliser specifications. Exposure of leaves/seedlings to higher biuret can cause phytotoxicity. Manufacture and granulation conditions influence biuret formation. Concept / Approach: Biuret interferes with plant metabolism and can cause leaf tip burn and reduced growth. Therefore, process conditions and product cooling are managed to keep biuret low, protecting agronomic performance and enabling safe foliar use in some crops. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise formation path: 2 urea → biuret + NH3 at high T.Connect to agronomy: elevated biuret → phytotoxic symptoms.Set specification: limit to < 1% to minimise risk, especially for foliar sprays.Hence, the main reason is toxicity concerns for some crops. Verification / Alternative check: Fertiliser standards and supplier datasheets often cite biuret limits (e.g., ≤ 1% for general use; even lower for foliar-grade urea), reflecting agronomic evidence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Corrosive or explosive: not the primary concerns for biuret in fertilisers. Helpful in decomposition: incorrect; biuret does not enhance useful decomposition in soils. Granule hardness: not the main driver for the limit. Common Pitfalls: Assuming biuret limits relate to storage stability; the dominant reason is crop safety. Final Answer: toxic and harmful to some crops

Question 5

Soils and fertilisation: pick the incorrect (wrong) statement from the following agronomic assertions.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Understanding how soil type and nutrient regimes affect plant growth and food safety is essential in agronomy. This item asks you to identify an incorrect statement among several that concern soil physical properties and nutrient impacts on crop quality and human health. Given Data / Assumptions: Loam versus clayey soil effects on root penetration and growth. Health risks of excessive nitrogen leading to nitrate leaching into water supplies. Role of potassium in quality parameters versus specific pigments such as carotene. Fluoride uptake issues are complex and more related to water sources than simple soil alkalinity. Concept / Approach: Potassium improves stress tolerance, sugar/starch accumulation, and firmness, but a blanket claim that “excess potassic fertiliser increases carotene” is not generally supported as a direct causal relationship; variety, maturity, and other nutrients dominate carotene levels. Therefore, the potash/carotene statement is the most clearly incorrect among the options provided. Step-by-Step Solution: Assess (a): agronomically sound—loams are friable; clay can impede roots.Assess (b): excess N can elevate nitrate in groundwater; cyanosis (methemoglobinemia) in infants is a known risk.Assess (c): claims a specific carotene increase from excess K—unsupported generalisation → incorrect.Assess (d): oversimplified and contentious; however, among the given statements, (c) is the clearest wrong claim.Assess (e): a true generic good practice statement. Verification / Alternative check: Extension literature ties K to fruit quality and storage but does not endorse a direct proportional carotene enhancement from excess K; carotenoid biosynthesis depends on genetics and multiple environmental factors. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option (a) is broadly correct regarding soil texture. Option (b) correctly points to nitrate-related health risks; “diarrhoea” is less canonical, but cyanosis risk is real. Option (d) is debatable but not as clearly wrong as (c) in standard curricula. Option (e) is good agronomic practice. Common Pitfalls: Confusing quality improvements attributed to potassium (sugar, firmness) with specific pigment increases; causality is multifactorial. Final Answer: Applying a large excess of potassic fertiliser increases valuable carotene in fruits and vegetables.

Question 6

A potassic fertiliser sample contains 50% K2O (potash) by analysis. Which product is consistent with this K2O content under standard commercial specifications?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Potassic fertilisers are often reported as % K2O (potash) equivalent. Recognising which commercial salts align with a given K2O analysis helps in selecting products for chloride-sensitive crops and in interpreting fertiliser labels across markets. Given Data / Assumptions: K2SO4 (sulphate of potash, SOP) typically assays ~50–52% K2O. KCl (muriate of potash, MOP) typically assays ~60–62% K2O. Mixed salts (NaCl + KCl) do not have a fixed K2O content and usually indicate diluted potash. Concept / Approach: Match the reported K2O percentage to standard assay values for common potassic products. A 50% K2O analysis aligns with potassium sulphate, which is preferred for chloride-sensitive crops such as tobacco, certain fruits, and potatoes. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall typical analyses: SOP ≈ 50% K2O; MOP ≈ 60% K2O.Compare to given value: 50% K2O → SOP.Exclude KCl due to higher assay; exclude generic mixtures lacking a standard 50% value.Select potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Verification / Alternative check: Product datasheets and fertiliser regulations list SOP at ~50% K2O and MOP at ~60% K2O, corroborating the identification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Potassium chloride: typically ~60–62% K2O. NaCl + KCl mixture: variable K2O; not a standard 50% grade. None of these and KNO3: KNO3 has ~46% K2O equivalent and significant nitrogen, not exactly 50%. Common Pitfalls: Confusing K2O equivalent with elemental potassium percentage; labels conventionally use K2O equivalents. Final Answer: potassium sulphate (K2SO4)

Question 7

In industrial urea manufacture for fertilizers, which specific pair of feedstocks directly react in the high-pressure synthesis section to form urea (after ammonium carbamate formation)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Urea is the world’s most widely used nitrogenous fertilizer. In plant flowsheets, urea is produced by reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide at high pressure and temperature. Although the ammonia itself typically originates from synthesis gas made using nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2), the immediate, direct reactants in the urea synthesis loop are ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Understanding this distinction helps avoid common exam traps that conflate upstream ammonia production with the downstream urea synthesis step. Given Data / Assumptions: We are concerned with the direct chemistry inside the urea reactor/stripper section. Standard high-pressure urea process conditions apply (formation of ammonium carbamate followed by dehydration). Feed purification, recycles, and off-gas treatments are in place but not directly relevant to the identity of reactants. Concept / Approach: Urea synthesis proceeds in two steps. First, NH3 reacts with CO2 to form ammonium carbamate. Then, ammonium carbamate dehydrates to urea and water. Symbolically: 2 NH3 + CO2 → NH2COONH4 → NH2CONH2 + H2O. Therefore, the essential immediate reactants are NH3 and CO2, not N2 or H2, which are associated with the prior ammonia plant. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize urea section chemistry is separate from ammonia synthesis.Write the overall urea reaction: 2 NH3 + CO2 → urea + H2O (via carbamate).Identify the direct feed pair: NH3 and CO2.Exclude species used only upstream (N2/H2) or in other fertilizer routes (HNO3 with CaCO3). Verification / Alternative check: Standard process descriptions for Stamicarbon, Snamprogetti/Saipem, and other licensors all specify NH3 and CO2 as the feed to the urea synthesis loop. PFDs show CO2 from the ammonia plant’s shift/CO2 removal section entering the urea unit to react with liquid ammonia. Why Other Options Are Wrong: CO2 and N2: N2 is used earlier to make NH3, not in the urea reactor.NH3 and CO: CO is an impurity/poison, not a urea feed.HNO3 and CaCO3: those relate to nitrate/limestone chemistries, not urea synthesis. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the ammonia plant’s N2/H2 chemistry with the subsequent urea loop, and assuming nitrogen gas participates directly in the urea reactor. Final Answer: Ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 8

In the steam reforming section for producing synthesis gas from naphtha (fertilizer industry), which industrial catalyst is typically employed?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Steam reforming converts light hydrocarbons such as natural gas or naphtha into synthesis gas (H2, CO, CO2), which is then processed to produce hydrogen for ammonia synthesis. The catalyst choice is critical to activity, selectivity, and resistance to coking and sulfur poisoning. Most fertilizer complexes rely on nickel-based catalysts in the primary reformer tubes due to their proven performance for C–H bond activation with steam. Given Data / Assumptions: Feed: naphtha (paraffinic/light naphthenic cut) with desulfurization upstream. Reactions: steam reforming and water–gas shift downstream. Operating: high temperature, tubular fired reformer. Concept / Approach: Nickel provides strong activity for dehydrogenation/reforming while alumina support offers thermal stability and surface area. Commercial catalysts are often nickel oxide (as supplied) reduced in situ to metallic nickel on alumina, sometimes with promoters (e.g., calcium aluminate) to manage sintering and sulfur tolerance. Alternatives like cobalt or chromium are not standard for primary steam reforming of light hydrocarbons in fertilizer plants. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify desired function: break C–H and C–C bonds with steam to form H2/CO.Match catalyst to function: Ni/Al2O3 is industry standard.Exclude nonstandard options: bauxite (ore), cobalt (not typical here), chromium (used as alloy element, not principal reforming catalyst).Select “nickel oxide supported on alumina.” Verification / Alternative check: Commercial catalyst vendors (Topsoe, Johnson Matthey, Clariant) all supply Ni/Al2O3 primary reforming catalysts; unit operating manuals prescribe in situ reduction of NiO to Ni prior to feed introduction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Bauxite: not a reforming catalyst; used historically in other processes.Cobalt: used for Fischer–Tropsch, not primary steam reformer in fertilizer context.Chromium: not the active phase for hydrocarbon steam reforming. Common Pitfalls: Confusing shift catalysts (e.g., Fe–Cr, Cu–Zn) with reforming catalysts; assuming any transition metal works in high-temperature reforming. Final Answer: Nickel oxide supported on alumina

Question 9

Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement: which fertilizer is commonly used in controlled amounts as a cattle-feed additive for ruminants?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Ruminants (cattle, sheep) can utilize non-protein nitrogen sources because microbes in the rumen synthesize amino acids and microbial protein from ammonia and carbon skeletons. Urea, a high-analysis nitrogen compound, is therefore used in small, controlled quantities as a feed additive to boost the nitrogen supply to rumen microbes. The practice is highly regulated and must be managed carefully to avoid toxicity. Given Data / Assumptions: The question asks which fertilizer doubles as an NPN feed. Rumen microbiota can convert urea → ammonia → microbial protein when sufficient fermentable energy is present. Dose control and mixing uniformity are essential for animal safety. Concept / Approach: Among the listed fertilizers, only urea is widely recognized and intentionally used as an NPN supplement for ruminants. CAN, SSP, and ammonium sulfate are plant nutrients and not fed as NPN sources; they also contain components (e.g., nitrate, sulfate) that are inappropriate or risky for feed usage in that manner. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify ruminant NPN source: feed-grade urea.Understand conversion: urea → NH3 in rumen; microbes incorporate N into amino acids.Check alternatives: CAN, SSP, ammonium sulfate are not used as feed NPN additives.Select urea. Verification / Alternative check: Animal nutrition guides specify allowable inclusion rates for feed-grade urea and warn about mixing thoroughly with carbohydrate feeds to prevent ammonia surges. Why Other Options Are Wrong: CAN: nitrate content poses methemoglobinemia risk; not a standard feed additive.SSP: a phosphate fertilizer; not an NPN source.Ammonium sulfate: not safely used as an NPN feed; sulfate can create imbalances. Common Pitfalls: Applying urea intended for fertilizer rather than feed-grade urea; overdosing without adequate readily fermentable carbohydrates; offering to non-ruminants, which cannot utilize NPN. Final Answer: Urea

Question 10

At the Trombay (RCF) complex, nitrophosphate is manufactured. In fertilizer classification, nitrophosphate is best described as which type of fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nitrophosphate processes (e.g., Odda) produce fertilizers containing both nitrogen and phosphorus in chemically combined forms. Unlike simple blends, complex fertilizers have nutrients present as part of the same granule through chemical reactions, improving uniformity of nutrient distribution and handling characteristics. Given Data / Assumptions: Nitrophosphate is produced by reacting phosphate rock with nitric acid, followed by neutralization and finishing. Product contains N and P; potassium may be added to make NPK complexes. Terminology: “mixed” implies physical blending; “complex” implies chemical combination within a single product matrix. Concept / Approach: Because nitrophosphate nutrients are generated by chemical reaction and incorporated in each particle, the product is a complex fertilizer. While any fertilizer may exhibit some hygroscopicity, “highly hygroscopic” is not the defining class, and “highly explosive” is incorrect for finished nitrophosphate products managed under normal fertilizer safety protocols. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify production route: nitric acid digestion of rock phosphate.Recognize nutrient incorporation into particle matrix.Differentiate complex vs mixed: chemical vs physical mixing.Select “complex fertilizer.” Verification / Alternative check: Fertilizer manuals classify nitrophosphates among complex N–P or N–P–K fertilizers based on chemical manufacture rather than physical blending. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Mixed: implies blend of separate nutrient salts, not chemically co-produced.Highly hygroscopic: property, not a type.Highly explosive: not an attribute of finished nitrophosphate fertilizers. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “nitro” in the name with explosives; equating any multi-nutrient fertilizer with a “mixed” product regardless of manufacturing route. Final Answer: Complex fertilizer

Question 11

Plant nutrition basics: among the following, which nutrient is NOT classified as a primary (macronutrient) required in largest quantities by plants?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Plant essential nutrients are grouped by the typical quantities needed: primary macronutrients (N, P, K), secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg, S), and micronutrients (e.g., Fe, Zn, Mn). Examinations often test recognition of these categories because they guide fertilizer recommendations and soil fertility diagnostics. Given Data / Assumptions: Primary macronutrients supply the bulk of plant demand and are the main focus of NPK fertilizers. Secondary macronutrients are needed in gram-to-kilogram per hectare ranges but less than NPK. Micronutrients are required in small amounts (mg to g per hectare). Concept / Approach: Among the options, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three “primary” nutrients. Sulfur, while essential, is classed as a secondary macronutrient. Therefore, sulfur is the one that does not belong to the primary group in the choices provided. Step-by-Step Solution: List primary nutrients: N, P, K.Compare with options: Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus are primary.Recognize Sulfur as secondary macronutrient.Select Sulfur as the correct response. Verification / Alternative check: Agronomy texts and fertilizer labeling standards (N–P–K emphasis) confirm categorization. Sulfur is increasingly managed where atmospheric S deposition has declined, but its classification remains secondary. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus: all are primary macronutrients by definition. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “importance” with “classification”; while sulfur can be critically deficient, it is still not grouped with N, P, K in the primary category. Final Answer: Sulfur (S)

Question 12

Gas-based fertilizer complexes: what is the principal role of natural gas in such plants with respect to ammonia production?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Ammonia plants require a large supply of hydrogen. In gas-based fertilizer complexes, natural gas is the dominant feedstock because it reformats efficiently into synthesis gas with a high hydrogen yield and relatively low carbon intensity compared with oil/coal routes. While natural gas may also serve as a fuel, its defining role is as a hydrogen source for the ammonia loop. Given Data / Assumptions: Plant type: gas-based (not coal-based/coke-oven gas). Core step: steam reforming/ATR of methane-rich gas to H2 + CO/CO2. Downstream: shift, CO2 removal, methanation, and ammonia synthesis with N2. Concept / Approach: Natural gas (primarily methane) reacts with steam to yield hydrogen. The produced CO is shifted with steam to additional H2 and CO2. After CO2 removal and polishing, the H2 combines with nitrogen in the Haber–Bosch loop. Although natural gas also fires furnaces, the answer focuses on its principal process role in gas-based fertilizer plants. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the hydrogen source in a gas-based plant: natural gas via reforming.Acknowledge ancillary usage as fuel but not the core process identity.Exclude coal gas options as they pertain to coal-based schemes.Choose the option stating natural gas provides hydrogen for ammonia. Verification / Alternative check: Standard ammonia technology references describe the natural-gas reforming route as the global workhorse for H2 supply in fertilizer industry. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Only heating medium” understates the central role of gas as chemical feed.Coal gas options describe a different, coal-based flowsheet not applicable here. Common Pitfalls: Confusing fuel service with feedstock service; overlooking that natural gas fulfills both roles but is principally valued for its hydrogen yield. Final Answer: Natural gas is used as the source of hydrogen for ammonia synthesis

Question 13

Which plant nutrient most directly improves stem strength (lodging resistance) and promotes branching and overall sturdiness in many crops?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Lodging (falling over) reduces harvestable yield and complicates mechanized operations. Nutritional balance is a key agronomic lever. Among macronutrients, potassium is strongly associated with improved stem strength, turgor regulation, and stress tolerance, thereby promoting sturdier plants with better branching and disease resistance. Given Data / Assumptions: Typical field crops under adequate water and balanced nutrition. We compare functional roles of N, P, K, Ca. “Stronger stems” and “increased branching” refer to structural robustness and canopy architecture. Concept / Approach: Potassium activates many enzymes, regulates osmotic balance, and strengthens cell walls indirectly by supporting carbohydrate transport and protein synthesis. Adequate K improves stalk rigidity and lodging resistance. Nitrogen primarily promotes vegetative growth (often soft tissue if excessive). Phosphorus is key for energy transfer and root/early vigor but is not the principal “stem-strength” nutrient. Calcium contributes to cell wall integrity but is rarely the limiting macronutrient dictating lodging across diverse soils, compared with K. Step-by-Step Solution: Relate K nutrition to turgor and lignification patterns supporting stems.Note agronomic observations: adequate K reduces lodging and supports branching.Contrast with N (lush but sometimes weaker stems) and P (root/flowering emphasis).Select potassium. Verification / Alternative check: Fertilizer handbooks attribute improved stalk strength and disease tolerance to sufficient K fertilization; K deficiency correlates with lodging and poor standability. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Nitrogen: excessive N can promote succulent growth prone to lodging.Phosphorus: vital but not chiefly linked to stem rigidity.Calcium: structural role exists, but agronomic emphasis for lodging control focuses on K. Common Pitfalls: Attributing lodging solely to genetics or wind; ignoring nutrition balance where K deficiency is a silent cause of weak stems. Final Answer: Potassium

Question 14

For naphtha feeds used in nitrogenous-fertilizer hydrogen plants, what is the approximate carbon-to-hydrogen mass (C/H) ratio of the feedstock?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Design and operation of reformers depend on the elemental composition of the hydrocarbon feed. The carbon-to-hydrogen ratio influences steam-to-carbon targets, reforming severity, and downstream CO2 removal loads. Naphtha used in legacy ammonia/hydrogen plants can be approximated by paraffinic compositions similar to the empirical unit “CH2,” which simplifies quick estimates. Given Data / Assumptions: Naphtha is approximated as a paraffinic mix near the CH2 empirical composition. We consider C/H on a mass basis (not atomic ratio). Rule-of-thumb estimate suffices for exam purposes. Concept / Approach: For the CH2 basis, the molecular mass is 14, with 12 units from carbon and 2 from hydrogen. Thus, the carbon mass to hydrogen mass ratio is 12:2 = 6:1, i.e., C/H by weight ≈ 6. This approximation aligns well with typical light naphtha reformer design calculations used historically in fertilizer complexes when exact ultimate analyses are not provided. Step-by-Step Solution: Assume naphtha ≈ (CH2)n for estimation.Compute mass ratio: C/H = 12 / 2 = 6.Match to nearest option: “About 6.”Note that real feeds vary, but 6 is the accepted exam benchmark. Verification / Alternative check: Ultimate analyses of paraffinic naphthas typically yield carbon mass fractions around 84–86% and hydrogen around 14–16%, again consistent with a C/H mass ratio near 6. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 2: far too hydrogen-rich for naphtha; fits lighter species than CH2 average.13 or 20: imply extremely carbon-rich feeds more akin to asphaltenic/heavy oils, not light naphtha for reforming. Common Pitfalls: Confusing mass ratio with atomic ratio; using C/H atomic ratio (~0.5 for CH2) would mislead if not converted to mass basis. Final Answer: About 6

Question 15

Early vegetative growth: which fertilizer type is most appropriate to promote vigorous development of leaves and stems in the initial stages of plant growth?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nutrient management strategies vary by growth stage. In the early vegetative phase, crops require abundant nitrogen to build chlorophyll, enzymes, and proteins that drive rapid canopy formation. Selecting the correct fertilizer emphasis in this stage maximizes photosynthetic capacity, ground cover, and subsequent yield potential. Given Data / Assumptions: Target stage: early vegetative growth. Goal: enhance leaves and stems rather than root maturation or fruiting. Balanced fertilization is still assumed, but one nutrient class is emphasized. Concept / Approach: Nitrogen fuels vegetative growth and greenness. Therefore, nitrogenous fertilizers (e.g., urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate/CAN) are preferred for kick-starting leaf and stem development. Potassium supports turgor, stress tolerance, and stem strength; phosphorus supports root development and energy metabolism, especially early root vigor and later flowering; but neither is as directly responsible for lush shoot growth as nitrogen in the initial stage. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify physiological need: rapid protein and chlorophyll synthesis.Match nutrient to function: nitrogen is primary driver for vegetative biomass.Assess alternatives: K and P are essential but not the main driver of early shoot mass.Select “Nitrogenous fertilizer.” Verification / Alternative check: Crop guides recommend N sidedress/topdress during early vegetative phases for cereals and many broadleaf crops, with rates tuned to soil tests and previous crop residues. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Potassic fertilizer: improves strength and stress response rather than initiating leaf mass.Phosphatic fertilizer: key for roots and energy transfer but not the principal driver of leafy canopy formation.None of these: incorrect because nitrogenous fertilizers directly address the goal. Common Pitfalls: Overapplying nitrogen, leading to lodging or delayed maturity; neglecting P and K balance which supports sustained growth after the initial burst. Final Answer: Nitrogenous fertilizer

Question 16

Paddy (rice) under flooded conditions: among the following, which listed fertilizer is generally considered the most suitable nitrogen source for paddy cultivation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Rice is typically grown in flooded or water-logged soils (paddy fields). Redox conditions in submerged soils alter nitrogen transformations and losses, so the choice of nitrogen source matters. Ammonium-based fertilizers have advantages in flooded conditions, where nitrate forms are prone to denitrification losses. Given Data / Assumptions: Field is flooded (anaerobic/reducing soil conditions). We compare common fertilizer types as N or P sources. Goal is to maximize nitrogen use efficiency and crop response. Concept / Approach: Ammonium sulfate supplies nitrogen in the ammonium form (NH4+), which is less susceptible to leaching and denitrification than nitrate in flooded soils. Additionally, it provides sulfur, which can be beneficial where S is limiting. Nitrophosphate and single superphosphate are mainly P (with some N in nitrophosphate), not the preferred dedicated N source in paddy. Potassium nitrate supplies nitrate-N, which is vulnerable to denitrification under reduced conditions; it is generally less efficient for flooded rice. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize anaerobic flooded soils favor NH4+ retention on clays and organic matter.Select an NH4+ donor: ammonium sulfate.Exclude nitrate-dominant sources (KNO3) due to denitrification losses.Acknowledge that P sources (nitrophosphate, SSP) address phosphorus nutrition, not the main N requirement. Verification / Alternative check: Agronomic recommendations for irrigated lowland rice frequently endorse ammonium-forming fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, urea with placement techniques) to reduce gaseous N losses. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Nitrophosphate/SSP: primarily phosphorus fertilizers; insufficient as the main N source.Potassium nitrate: nitrate prone to denitrification in flooded soils, reducing N use efficiency. Common Pitfalls: Broadcasting urea on floodwater without proper placement, leading to volatilization; ignoring sulfur nutrition where ammonium sulfate offers an added benefit. Final Answer: Ammonium sulfate

Question 17

Ammonia synthesis gas from solid fuels: Low-grade coal is primarily ________ to generate hydrogen-rich synthesis gas for the ammonia (Haber–Bosch) loop.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Modern ammonia plants need a reliable source of hydrogen to combine with nitrogen in the Haber–Bosch synthesis loop. While natural-gas-based plants obtain hydrogen by steam reforming, coal-rich regions often rely on coal gasification to make synthesis gas (CO and H2), which is then conditioned into an ammonia-suitable feed. Understanding the front-end conversion step for low-grade coal is foundational in fertilizer technology and energy chemistry. Given Data / Assumptions: The feedstock is low-grade coal (lignite/sub-bituminous), not natural gas or naphtha. Target is ammonia synthesis gas with high H2 and appropriate N2 downstream. We need the primary chemical conversion step applied to coal in such complexes. Concept / Approach: Coal cannot be “reformed” the way methane is; instead, it is reacted with oxygen and steam at high temperature and pressure to form syngas. The core step is gasification, which produces a mixture of CO, H2, CO2, H2O, and impurities (H2S, COS, tars) that must be cleaned. Subsequent water–gas shift converts CO + H2O to CO2 + H2, after which CO2 is removed and nitrogen is supplied (via air separation) for the Haber–Bosch loop. Step-by-Step Solution: Feed coal to an entrained- or fixed-bed gasifier with O2 and steam → generate CO + H2 (syngas) plus impurities.Condition syngas: dust removal, tar cracking (if needed), desulfurization (H2S removal).Apply shift reaction: CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 to raise hydrogen content.Remove CO2 and trace contaminants; add N2 from ASU; compress and feed to Haber–Bosch. Verification / Alternative check: Process flow diagrams of coal-based ammonia/urea complexes consistently show gasifiers, shift converters, CO2 removal, and an ammonia synthesis loop. None of the alternatives (liquefaction, dehydrogenation) alone produce the required H2-rich syngas for ammonia. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation describe different chemistries not used to convert solid coal into H2; liquefaction produces liquid hydrocarbons, not syngas; “partial nitration” is unrelated to syngas production. Common Pitfalls: Assuming the same “reforming” vocabulary applies to coal and methane; coal needs gasification, not catalytic steam reforming of a gas. Final Answer: gasified

Question 18

Feed characterization: For typical natural gas used in fertilizer plants, the carbon-to-hydrogen (C/H) mass ratio generally lies in the range ________.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Natural gas composition matters because it sets the hydrogen potential and carbon dioxide load for ammonia/urea plants. A quick, practical metric is the carbon-to-hydrogen (C/H) mass ratio. For pipeline-quality natural gas dominated by methane (CH4), engineers can estimate this ratio to validate feed characterization and sizing of reformers and CO2 removal units. Given Data / Assumptions: Typical natural gas is methane-rich (major component CH4) with smaller amounts of ethane, propane, etc. C/H ratio is requested by mass, not atomic ratio. We seek a realistic range rather than a single exact number for all gases. Concept / Approach: For methane, molecular mass is 16 (C = 12; H4 = 4). The mass C/H ratio therefore equals 12/4 = 3.0. Real natural gas often includes minor higher hydrocarbons (C2+), which slightly increase the C/H mass ratio but typically keep it near methane’s baseline. Thus, a sensible engineering range is 3–4 by mass for natural gas feeds in fertilizer plants. Step-by-Step Solution: Assume CH4 dominates → C/H by mass = 12/4 = 3.0.Account for small C2+ (ethane/propane) fractions → modestly higher C per H → ratio nudges above 3.0.Select the only plausible given range: 3–4. Verification / Alternative check: Gas chromatographic assays of typical natural gas show methane content often above 85–90% by volume, supporting a C/H mass ratio close to 3. The presence of inerts (N2, CO2) does not increase H; heavier alkanes raise the ratio slightly toward but seldom beyond 4 in pipeline gas. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 8–10, 15–17, and 20–25 are far too high for methane-rich gas; 1–2 would imply a hydrogen-rich gas like refinery hydrogen streams, not natural gas. Common Pitfalls: Mixing atomic with mass ratios; the atomic C:H for methane is 1:4, which is not what the question asks. Final Answer: 3-4

Question 19

Phosphoric acid family identification: The condensed formula for metaphosphoric acid is ________.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Orthophosphoric, pyrophosphoric, and metaphosphoric acids are central to phosphate chemistry and fertilizer processing. Recognizing their empirical formulas helps distinguish wet-process phosphoric acid streams, condensates, and polymerized species relevant to product quality and analysis. Given Data / Assumptions: We compare common forms: ortho-, pyro-, and meta-. Question asks specifically for the formula of metaphosphoric acid. Condensed, text-friendly formulas are used instead of structural drawings. Concept / Approach: Orthophosphoric acid is H3PO4. Pyrophosphoric (diphosphoric) acid is H4P2O7, obtained by dehydration of two orthos. Metaphosphoric acid is represented by the repeating unit HPO3, commonly written as (HPO3)n for linear or cyclic polymers. Therefore, the “unit formula” that identifies metaphosphoric acid is HPO3. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall families: ortho = H3PO4; pyro = H4P2O7; meta = (HPO3)n.Condensed identification for meta uses the monomeric unit HPO3.Hence, select HPO3 for metaphosphoric acid. Verification / Alternative check: Reference tables list metaphosphoric acid as the polymeric series with empirical unit HPO3; analytical texts use this when describing dehydration and polymerization of orthophosphoric acid at elevated temperatures. Why Other Options Are Wrong: H3PO4 is ortho; H4P2O7 is pyro; “same as pyro” is incorrect; (H2PO2)2 corresponds to hypophosphorous acid chemistry, not metaphosphoric. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “pyro” with “meta” due to both involving dehydration; remember meta appears as a repeating HPO3 unit. Final Answer: HPO3

Question 20

Thermal reduction of phosphate rock: In the electric furnace route to elemental phosphorus, the fusion/reaction zone is maintained at approximately ________ °C.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Elemental phosphorus can be produced by the electric furnace process, which reduces phosphate rock (apatite) in the presence of carbon and silica at very high temperatures. The correct temperature range of the fusion/reaction zone is an essential fact for process design and safety, influencing energy demand, refractory selection, and product vaporization behavior. Given Data / Assumptions: Feed: phosphate rock (often fluorapatite), silica, and coke/carbon. Objective: produce elemental phosphorus vapor for subsequent condensation. Question asks for the typical fusion zone temperature range. Concept / Approach: In the electric furnace, phosphate is reduced at temperatures well above 1200 °C. The reaction zone is commonly controlled around 1400–1500 °C to achieve sufficient kinetics and phase behavior while managing refractory integrity. Lower ranges (e.g., 250–1050 °C) are insufficient for the main reduction and volatilization of P4, whereas too high temperatures impose material and energy penalties without corresponding benefits. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the thermal reduction chemistry requiring very high temperature.Consult known operating envelopes: industrial practice clusters near 1400–1450 °C in the fusion zone.Select the matching range from the options. Verification / Alternative check: Process descriptions and furnace design references consistently report reaction zones around 1400–1500 °C for efficient phosphorus liberation and off-gas handling. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 250–300 and 500–750 °C are far below the necessary threshold; 950–1050 °C may permit some reactions but not efficient P4 volatilization; 1700–1800 °C is higher than typical and stresses refractories. Common Pitfalls: Confusing calcination or preheating temperatures with the primary reduction zone temperature. Final Answer: 1400-1450

Fertiliser Technology Questions