Specialized transport for the transportation of fertilizers, which fertilizers are dangerous and which are not

The intensive agricultural practices require the mass application of fertilizers. Factories and plants have been built in different countries for the production of fertilizers. In addition, some fertilizers are extracted directly from nature, and there are quarries and mines for their extraction. The places of production and extraction of fertilizers are often far from the places of consumption. Therefore, fertilizers constitute a significant part of the cargo transported by road, river and sea, rail, and sometimes even air transport. Most fertilizers, due to their physicochemical properties, are classified as dangerous goods and require compliance with special rules during their transportation.

What are dangerous goods and general rules for their transportation

Dangerous goods are those that can cause harm to humans or nature (explosions, poisoning, radiation contamination, etc.) in the event of an emergency situation (spillage, leakage, traffic accident, fire, etc.). The United Nations has created a special list of such goods, which includes more than 3000 substances.

The transportation of dangerous goods is carried out by specially prepared vehicles, serviced by specially trained personnel. Road transport carrying dangerous goods is marked with special yellow signs at the front and back. Regardless of the type of transport used for carrying dangerous goods, all personnel involved in the transportation must be equipped with gas masks, means for deactivating spilled or scattered cargo, and means for warning and treating health damage caused by interaction with the cargo or its combustion products.

General rules for transporting fertilizers

It is prohibited to transport fertilizers and other goods, especially food and clothing, in the same transport compartment. After unloading fertilizers, the cargo compartment must be washed and treated accordingly. The costs of treatment are borne by the cargo owner and are included in the transportation cost. Sometimes carriers include in the transportation contract a requirement for cleaning the transport after the transportation of fertilizers by the consignee.

Transportation of fertilizers by different types of transport

Fertilizers are supplied by the industry in dry or liquid form. If the fertilizers are dry, they are hygroscopic and must be protected from moisture. Pesticides and other toxic chemical products used in agriculture must be packaged in appropriate containers: bags, canisters, barrels. The containers must be labeled with stickers indicating the danger of the cargo. Most dry fertilizers are produced by factories in polyethylene bags of 50kg.

Transportation of fertilizers by road

When transporting dry fertilizers by road, even if they are sealed in polyethylene bags, covered vans, semi-trailers, and trailers are used. They can be tarped or all-metal, and it is possible to transport fertilizers in isothermal and refrigerated vehicles. If dry fertilizers are powdery in nature, they are transported in special tanks with pneumatic or mechanical unloading. It is possible to transport fertilizers on open trucks and dump trucks, but in this case, they must be thoroughly covered with tarpaulin from precipitation and wind, and all gaps in the body must be sealed.

Liquid fertilizers can be transported by container carriers in tank containers and tank trucks. There are special tank trucks for transporting ammonia. If the transportation of liquid fertilizers requires a special temperature regime, isothermal and refrigerated tanks can be used. A relatively new method is the transportation of liquid fertilizers in a flexible tank. The tank made of waterproof technical fabric is filled with liquid fertilizers and loaded onto a platform. The recipient unloads the tank and can use it for storing the fertilizer.

Transportation by rail

Fertilizers in bags are transported by rail in covered universal cars. For bulk transportation of fertilizers, cement tankers equipped with pneumatic unloading, hopper cars (cement and mineral cars) can be used. Other rolling stock may be used, but when making a decision about such transportation, it is necessary to consider the physicochemical properties of the specific fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers are transported in railway tanks and tank containers.

Transportation of fertilizers by water

Dry fertilizers can be transported by bulk carriers. Packaged fertilizers can be transported by dry cargo ships, and when packaged in containers, by container carriers. Liquid fertilizers are transported by tankers or container carriers in tank containers.

Transportation of fertilizers by air

Due to the high cost of this method of transportation, fertilizers are practically not transported by air. However, technically, such transportation is possible by cargo aviation in containers, tank containers, packaged in bags of fertilizers on pallets or stacked in piles.

Types of fertilizers, their danger, and features of different types of fertilizers as cargo

Fertilizers, as cargo, are hygroscopic, can clump and stick together, and can spill. A significant portion of fertilizers is explosive, toxic, aggressive to transport structures, and can, in high concentrations, poison the environment.

Fertilizers are divided into complex and mixed types. Complex fertilizers are products of chemical plants and factories. Mixed fertilizers are obtained by mixing peat and various natural minerals. Some fertilizers are classified as combined. For their production, different fertilizers that do not react with each other are mixed.

The least problems arise when transporting peat and minerals used for treating acidic soils. Acidic soils are treated with various calcium compounds (chalk, lime, dolomite, etc.) found in nature. These compounds are not hygroscopic and are almost insoluble in water. However, they are used in the form of powders, which can clump, form lumps, and freeze under the influence of moisture. Therefore, these fertilizers must also be transported by covered transport. However, these substances are practically safe.

Fertilizers produced by the chemical industry are divided into the following main types:

• Nitrogen. Such fertilizers include nitrates — salts of nitric acid. In agriculture, sodium, calcium, and ammonium nitrates are most commonly used. In addition, an aqueous solution of ammonia is used as a liquid fertilizer, which requires transportation in tanks and storage in special reservoirs. Urea, obtained from the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide, is also classified as nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizers are explosive, easily flammable, react with other substances, and can release toxic gases.
• Phosphorus. These fertilizers are obtained from apatite ore, except for Thomas slag, which is produced from steel production slag. Phosphorus fertilizers actively corrode metals, release toxic gases — sulfur and fluorine, corrode clothing, shoes, bags, and clump significantly.
• Potassium. Potassium chloride and sulfate, in terms of their effect on surrounding objects and other characteristics, are similar to table salt, can clump and disperse.

In addition, the industry produces apatite ore and apatite concentrate, ammonium phosphate, phosphorite flour, and other fertilizers.

The transportation of fertilizers is a complex technical process that requires the use of special transport to protect fertilizers from atmospheric precipitation and to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of fertilizers. All types of cargo transport for the transportation of fertilizers must be properly prepared, and after unloading, cleaned. A significant portion of fertilizers is classified as dangerous goods and requires the preparation of special documents for transportation. Personnel involved in the transportation of fertilizers must be specially trained and equipped with protective means and measures to eliminate dangerous consequences in emergency situations on the road. You can find transport for the transportation of fertilizers and determine the cost of transportation by placing a request for transportation in the section “Add cargo”.