MX2008008910A - Stabilized compositions comprising ammonium nitrate - Google Patents

Abstract

Preferred aspects of the present invention provide ammonium nitrate compositions comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent, and preferably a third compound. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent, together with third compound, is present under conditions and in amounts effective to substantially reduce the detonation sensitivity of the composition and/or to otherwise improve a desired property of the composition.

Description

STABILIZED COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING AMMONIUM NITRATE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to ammonium nitrate compositions and more particularly to stabilized or desensitized compositions containing ammonium nitrate, as well as processes for their production. The compositions of the present invention are generally useful as fertilizers and preferably have desirable levels of nitrate ions and a relatively high resistance to detonation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that due to its high concentration of nitrate ions, ammonium nitrate has important uses in the field of agriculture in general and fertilization in particular. However, it is also known that ammonium nitrate, in many of the forms in which it has been commonly used up to now, is relatively difficult to handle and potentially dangerous when handling commercially large quantities and / or when stored in important masses. (as it happens in commercial warehouses and in storage containers), especially during prolonged periods of time. In addition, it is known that many of the forms of ammonium nitrate commonly used so far have shown a tendency to detonate under relatively mild conditions, and consequently to Sometimes they have been abused 9 have been misused as explosive material. Several potential solutions to the problem of explosivity and / or detonability of compositions containing ammonium nitrate have been proposed. For example, the use of ammonium nitrate in the form of a double salt with ammonium sulfate in order to reduce the dangerous properties of ammonium nitrate has been suggested in US Pat. No. 6,689,181, which is incorporated herein by reference. On the other hand, the use of ammonium nitrate in the form of a double salt of diethylenetriamine trinitrate has been suggested for use since it has increased explosive properties and detonation tendencies. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,481,048. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict in advance with any degree of precision the impact that a particular form of ammonium nitrate, particularly ammonium nitrate in the form of a double salt, will have on the explosive properties of the material or the tendency of the material to be detonated. Therefore, while the solutions mentioned above and other solutions have provided improved results at least in certain circumstances, applicants have recognized that a substantial and unexpected advantage can be achieved by incorporating certain materials or agents in such compositions and similar compositions. In addition, applicants have observed that certain stabilizing agents that can be considered otherwise for use in relation to the compositions, and in particular fertilizer compositions, can have a detrimental effect on the characteristics of the composition for its intended purpose. For example, certain compositions may not be as effective as would be expected in relation to providing nutrition and / or other beneficial ingredients to the soil or plant life there. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION Preferred aspects of the present invention offer compositions comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent. As the term is used herein, "ammonium nitrate" means and embraces within its scope ammonium nitrate in any of its forms, including in the form of free ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate in the form of any of the salts which may form , including the double salt formulations disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,689,181 and our co-pending provisional application 60 / 758,652 and the corresponding regular application filed concurrently and identified by means of attorney's file number H00010921, each of which is incorporated herein by references. HE it prefers that the stabilizing agent, which is sometimes also known as a desensitizing agent, be present in conditions and effective amounts to substantially reduce the sensitivity to detonation of the composition and / or to otherwise improve a desired property of the composition , and it is also preferred at the same time that it does not have a negative effect on the use or the properties of the compositions, particularly the usefulness of the fertilizer compositions for their contemplated purpose. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present compositions include, in addition to ammonium nitrate and a stabilizing agent, a third component selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, nitrate potassium, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdate, ammonium hexafluorosilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more of these. In preferred embodiments, at least a substantial portion of the ammonium nitrate in the composition is in the form of a double salt with one or more of said third component or components. In highly preferred embodiments, the present compositions consist essentially of one or more double salts of ammonium nitrate and a stabilizing agent according to the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention offers methods for reducing the sensitivity to detonation of ammonium nitrate containing compositions by including in such compositions one or more effective compounds to substantially reduce or maintain the detonation sensitivity of the composition at a low level. . In accordance with certain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods produce a reduced sensitivity to detonation in accordance with that measured by at least one and preferably the following two parameters: a) increase in the start temperature; or b) increase in the heating rate DTA, each one in relation to the value presented by the double salt of ammonium sulphate nitrate 2: 1 (2: 1 ASN). For example, a Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), model number RT6220 sold by Seiko Instruments has been used to evaluate the start temperature of both the simple salt of AN and the double salt 2: 1 ASN, weight loss (to indicate the presence of a reaction), and the approximate peak drop in the heating rate. Persons with knowledge of the subject will note that the particular results reported here for these materials, while generally indicating the properties of these materials, are used here primarily for comparative purposes in order to illustrate the relative performance improvement that is achieved through compositions and methods of the present invention. Sample Home DTA Loss (C) (% by weight) (uV) 2: 1 ASN 222.4 38.3 2.29 222.9 41.5 2.08 222.4 39.5 1.12 220.7 38.8 1.74 224.1 41.2 1.44 223.2 39.6 '1.30 223.5 38.4 2.10 Average 2: 1 ASN 222.7 39.6 1.72 Standard deviation 2: 1 ASN 1.1 1.3 0.45 In certain preferred embodiments, the method compositions of the present invention produce a start temperature, preferably in accordance with that measured according to the known use of the TGA Model Number RT6220 sold by Seiko Instrument, which is not substantially less than about the start temperature of 2: 1 ASN, and more preferably at least about 1 ° C above the start temperature of 2: 1 ASN. In certain embodiments, the start temperature of the present compositions is at least about 220 ° C, and more preferably at least about 223 ° C. In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention produce a peak fall in heating rate (PDHR), preferably as measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) in accordance with the known use of the TGA model number RT6220 sold by Seiko Instrument, which is not substantially lower than the PDHR of 2: 1 ASN, more preferably, at least about 15% higher, and preferably even higher, at least about 50% greater than the PDHR of 2: 1 ASN. In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention produce a peak drop in heating rate (PDHR), preferably in accordance with that measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) in accordance with the known use of (TGA) model number RT6220 sold by Seiko Instrument, which is at least 0.5 uV greater than the PDHR of 2: 1 ASN, more preferably being at least about 1 uV greater than the PDHR of 2: 1 ASN, and preferably even higher , which is at least 2 uV greater than the PDHR of 2: 1 ASN. While it is contemplated that numerous stabilizing agents may have the beneficial results and particularly the highly desirable and unexpected beneficial results described above, it is generally preferred that the compositions of the present invention include a stabilizing agent characterized in that it has a tendency to suppress the tendency to decomposition of the composition. In preferred embodiments, said stabilizing agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of deoxidizers (including those that combine with and prevent further oxidation of ammonia), and ammonium generating agents. Examples of stabilizing agents that are contemplated for use in connection with the present invention, either alone or in combination with other agents in the following list or other agents not mentioned herein, include: active silica, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate , potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, water, dolomite, oxalic acid, formic acid, salt (s) of tartaric acid, carbodiamides, biguamides, di-cyan di-amide, calcium carbonate, thiourea, urea, semicarbazide, switchboard, urethane, diphenyl, ε-phenylacetate, naphthylamine, aminophenol, benzoic acid, pirocatechin, phenylenediamine, hexamine, (NH4) 2 2O4 ·? 20, NH4, LiF, and combinations of these agents. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent comprises one or more metal salts, including those which can be characterized as deoxidants, especially metal halides, metal sulfates, metal carbonates, metal nitrates and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, it is preferable that the metal forming the metal salt is selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, more preferably metals alkaline and alkaline earth metals of Period 3 or Period 4 of the periodic table, and with even greater preference, potassium, magnesium, calcium and combinations of these. Particularly preferred are potassium halides (particularly KC1), MgSO4, CaCO3, MgCo3, dolomite (CaMgC03), Mg (N03) 2f and combinations of two or more of these. Applicants have found that in certain preferred embodiments, the group from which the stabilizer is selected does not include lithium halides, and particularly lithium fluoride. In certain preferred embodiments the stabilizing agent comprises one or more of the following: thiourea, silicon oxide (including particularly SiO 2), ammonium salts (including particularly ammonium tartrate, ammonium oxalate, ammonium sulphamate, and combinations thereof), but in certain preferred embodiments excluding ammonium benzoate) and combinations thereof. Applicants have found that in certain preferred embodiments the group from which the stabilizer is selected does not include urea, diphenyl, diphenylamine, 2-aminophthalene, 4-aminophenol, 1,3-diethyl, 1,3-diphenylurea, hexamethylenetetramine, benzoate. of ammonium, 1, -phenylenediamine, ureatane, or catechol. Even though it is also contemplated that the particular amount of stabilizing agent that is used in any particular composition should vary widely, according to Numerous factors including the particular components used in the composition, it is generally preferred that the stabilizing agent of the present invention be present in the composition in the amount of about 0.1 wt.%, about 20 wt.%, more preferably about 0.1. % by weight approximately 10% by weight of the composition, and preferably even greater than approximately 0.1% by weight, approximately 2% by weight. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the composition and preferably to a fertilizer, which comprises ammonium nitrate in combination with at least one third compound selected from the group which, in preferred embodiments, said combination of ammonium nitrate and said at least one third compound comprises a double salt of ammonium nitrate and at least one of said third compounds. . In certain preferred embodiments, the third component is a double salt selected from potassium ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate nitrate, and combinations thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the group from which the third component is selected does not include calcium ammonium nitrate, nor ammonium nitrate mon-hydrogenophosphate. It is contemplated that the third component is present in amounts that vary within a very wide range within the scope of the present invention. In preferred embodiments, the third component is present in a molar ratio of from about 0.5: 1 to about 2: 1, based on a ratio of the moles of the third component and the moles of ammonium nitrate, more preferably of about 0.75: 1 about 1.25: 1, and with even greater preference of about 1: 1. Preferred compositions have a reduced sensitivity to detonation compared to compositions consisting essentially of ammonium nitrate. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods for handling fertilizer compositions comprising the supply of a substantially non-detrimental fertilizer composition comprising ammonium nitrate in combination with said stabilizing agent and optionally but preferably also in combination with said minus third compound. In certain preferred embodiments, said third compound is selected from a group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdate ammonium hexafluorosilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more of these. In certain preferred embodiments, at least a portion, such as preferably at least a substantial portion, and preferably even more substantially all of said ammonium nitrate in said composition is present in of a double salt with one or more of said second compounds. The present management methods include methods for transporting fertilizer, methods of storing fertilizer and method for applying fertilizer to the soil or to other crop material. As used herein, the term "ammonium nitrate composition" refers in general terms to compositions containing ammonium nitrate in any form including as double salt with other compounds. As used herein, the term "double salt" refers to a salt made from at least two different types of cations and one type of anion or at least two different types of anions and one cation type. Accordingly, the term "double salt of ammonium nitrate" is understood to refer to a combination of ammonium nitrate and another compound in such a manner that a new crystallo-crystal composition is formed distinct from any of the constituents. In certain preferred embodiments of the compositions, including certain embodiments including the fertilizers and other materials of the present invention, the compositions have a relatively low concentration of simple NA salt. As used herein, the term "simple NA" refers to a salt in which substantially all cations are ammonium and substantially all «Anions are nitrate. In certain highly preferred embodiments, the compositions and materials of the present invention do not have a substantial amount of simple AN salt, and in certain embodiments, the compositions contain no more than trace amounts of simple AN salt trace. Preferably, the present compositions, particularly in the form of fertilizer and when used in relation to methods that include the handling of fertilizer, are not considered as hazardous materials within the framework of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, "Transportation", (Transportation). ), Part 172, "Hazardous Materials Table" on October 1, 2000, and preferably also not classified as oxidants within the framework of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Hazardous Products, Manual of Tests and Criteria, 1995) , "Section 34, Classification Procedures, Test Methods and Criteria Related to Oxidant Substances of Division 5.1". One aspect of the present invention offers compositions that preferably have desirable agricultural properties as would be required in the case of fertilizers and the like and a high detonation resistance compared to simple NA salt. In preferred embodiments, the present invention offers fertilizer compositions comprising one or more double salts of the formula (I): (?) ·? (?? 4? 03) · (H20) (I) where M is a cation-anon pair selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate , ammonium molybdate. ammonium hexafluralsilicate, and neodymium hydroxynitrate, n is from about 0.2 to about 3, and m is from about 0 to about 10. In preferred embodiments, the present compositions are characterized in that they preferably comprise and consist essentially of components (preferably double salts) that they are low exotherm components and / or are resistant to the loss of cohesion. It is also presumed in many embodiments that the present compositions are characterized as comprising and preferably as consisting essentially of components and particularly double salts having a cohesive stability temperature of at least about 500 ° K, and preferably even more at least about 600 ° K. As used herein, the temperature of cohesion stability refers to the temperature at which the components of the double salt begin to exhibit a significant loss of cohesion. It is also preferred that the present compositions are characterized as comprising and preferably consisting essentially of components and particularly double salts having a higher cohesion stability than the cohesion stability of ammonium nitrate, wherein the difference in cohesive stability is determined by comparing the cohesive isotherms of the compound of the formula (I) with the cohesive exotherms of the simple salt of ammonium nitrate. In a preferred embodiment, the improvement of the cohesion stability is a double increase in stability compared to a simple ammonium nitrate salt. As used herein, the cohesive exotherm refers to the thermodynamic free energy released as the bulk material represented by [(M) ·? (NH4N03) »m (H20)] n (II), decomposes in the composition parts represented by the formula (I) and wherein a cohesively unstable compound has a negative value of the free energy and a more stable compound has a positive value at a temperature of approximately 600 ° K. Preferably, the cohesive exotherm of the preferred double salts of the present invention as used in the present composition and fertilizers, is substantially greater than about the cohesive exotherm of the single NA salt, or even more preferably is substantially greater than about the exotherm. cohesive of double salt 3: 1 ASN. Preferably, the present compositions contain a combined total of double salt (NH4) 2S0 »3 (NH4NO3) and nitrate of ammonium (NH4NO3) gives from about 0 to about 3% by weight and more preferably the ammonium nitrate is present in any amount from about 0 to 1% by weight of the composition, and preferably even greater than no more than an amount at of footprint. EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention but are not intended to limit the broad scope thereof. EXAMPLES 1A AND IB - Metal Salt Stabilizers Various compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared by combining in a substantially homogeneous composition of about 95.5% by weight of a simple salt of ammonium nitrate and about 0.5% by weight of a stabilizing agent. Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 1 below. Each composition is then tested to determine the start temperature and DTA in accordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, the weight loss in the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is an indicator of the occurrence of a reaction. Table 1 Sample DTA Loss Temperature Agent Stabilization start weight (uV) (C) (% in weight) A CaC03 223.0 39.6 -0.10 B LiF 219.7 38.8 0.90 As can be seen from the above results, the use of CaC03 and LiF as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5% by weight produces a DTA of less than about 1.0 uV, which is not preferred in certain embodiments of the present invention. . Likewise, LiF produces a start temperature that is lower than certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. EXAMPLES 2A-2D - METAL SALT STABILIZERS Several compositions are prepared, each composition is prepared by combining in a substantially homogeneous composition of about 99.5% by weight of simple salt of ammonium nitrate and about 0.5% by weight of an agent of stabilization. Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 2 below (note that the evaluation of sample B was repeated). Each composition is then tested for start temperature and DTA in accordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, the weight loss in the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is an indicator of the occurrence of a reaction. Table 2 Sample DTA Loss Temperature Agent Stabilization start weight (uV) (C) (% by weight) A- KC1 222.5 37.4 2.00 Bl MgS0 222.9 40.0 2.70 B2 MgS04 222.7 39.4 2.25 C Dolomite (CaMgS03) 222.5 39.2 2.70 D g (No3) 2 222.0 40.4 3.18 As can be done to observe from the results above, the use of each of the compounds in Table 2 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5% by weight produces a DTA greater than 1 and an initial temperature greater than about 200 ° C , which agrees with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. EXAMPLES 3A-3K - AMID AND AMMONIUM STABILIZERS Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared by combination in a substantially homogeneous composition of about 99.5% by weight of simple salt of ammonium nitrate and about 0.5% by weight of a stabilizing agent. Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 3 below. Each composition is then tested for temperature and DTA in accordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, the weight loss of the composition is monitored and reported Weight loss is an indicator of the occurrence of a reaction. Table 3 Sample Stabilization Loss Temperature Agent start weight (C) (% by weight)? Urea 223.8 39. 6 0. 73 B Biphenyl 222.1 39. 2 0. 30 C Diphenylamine 220.7 39. 5 -1. 64 D 2-aminophthalene 222.4 38. 5 -0. 46 E 4-aminophenol 218.1 38. 3 -0. 40 F 1, 3-diethyl-l, 3-diphenylurea 223.2 39. 2 0. 39 G Hexamethylene tetramine 221.7 40. 7 -0. 31 H Ammonium benzoate 222.5 37. 8 0. 91 I 1, 4-phenylenediamine 219.7 38. 0 0. 96 U Ureatane 217.1 38. 3 1. 11 K Catecol 215.2 39. 7 -2. As can be seen from the results above, the use of the compounds in Table 3 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5% in weight produces a DTA less than about 1.0, which is not preferred in certain embodiments of the present invention. Also, 4-aminophenol produces a start temperature that is lower than certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. EXAMPLES 4A-4E - METAL SALT STABILIZERS Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared by combining in a substantially homogeneous composition of about 99.5% by weight of a simple salt of ammonium nitrate and about 0.5% by weight of a stabilizing agent. Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 4 below. Each composition is then tested for start temperature and DTA in accordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, the weight loss of the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is an indicator of the occurrence of a reaction. Table 4 Sample DTA Loss Temperature Agent Stabilization start weight (uV) (C) (% by weight) A Thiourea 223.7 37.3 1.63 B Ammonium tartrate 221.5 39.3 1.87 C SI02 225.6 37.9 1.05 Ammonium oxalate 223.9 40.8 2.14 E Ammonium sulphamate 223.3 40.7 2.13 As can be seen from the results above, the use of each of the compounds in Table 4 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.15% by weight produces a DTA greater than 1 and an onset temperature greater than about 200 ° C, which complies with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (29)

1. CLAIMS 1. A fertilizer comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent present under conditions and in effective amounts to substantially reduce the sensitivity to detonation of the composition as compared to AN. The fertilizer according to claim 1, wherein at least a substantial portion of the ammonium nitrate in the composition has the form of a double salt. 3. The fertilizer according to claim 2, which consists essentially of one or more double salts of ammonium nitrate and a third compound. 4. Fertilizer comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent present under conditions and in effective amounts to substantially reduce the sensitivity to detonation of the composition compared to 2: 1 AS. 5. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent is present in an amount of about 0.1% by weight to about 2% by weight. 6. Fertilizer according to claim 1, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one or several metal salts containing alkali metals or alkaline earth metals of the Period 3 or Period 4 of the Periodic Table. 7. Fertilizer according to claim 6, wherein said at least one or more metal salts contain potassium, magnesium, calcium or combinations of these. 8. Fertilizer according to claim 6, wherein said at least one or more metal salts is selected from the group consisting of KCl, MgSO, CaCO3, MgCO3, dolomite (CaMgC03), g (N03) 2, and combinations of two or more of these. 9. Fertilizer according to claim 6, wherein said at least one or more metal salts do not include lithium halides. 10. Fertilizer according to claim 6, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of KCl, MgSO4, CaCO3, gC03, dolomite (Ca gC03), g (N03) 2, and combinations of two or more of these. 11. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one metal halide. 12. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one metal sulphate. 13. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent it comprises at least one metal carbonate. 14. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one metal nitrate. 15. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal halides, metal sulfates, metal carbonates, metal nitrates, and mixtures of these. 16. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of active silica, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, water , dolomite, oxalic acid, formic acid, salt (s) of tartaric acid, carbodiamides, diguanides, di-cyan-di-amide, calcium carbonate, tiuorea, urea, semicarbazide, switchboard, urethane, diphenyl, diphenylamine, naphthylamine, aminophenol , benzoic acid, pyrocatechin, phenylenediamine, hexamine, (NH4) 2? 204 ·? 20, NH4, LiF, and combinations thereof. 17. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of amine, silicon oxide, salts and combinations of two or more of these. 18. Fertilizer according to claim 4, in wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one thiourea. 19. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium tartrate, ammonium oxalate, ammonium sulphamate and combinations thereof. 20. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least one silicon oxide. 21. Fertilizer comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent present under conditions and in effective amounts to substantially reduce the sensitivity to detonation of the composition compared to 2: 1 ASN. 22. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said stabilizer causes an increase in the starting temperature in comparison with the value of said starting temperature presented by the double salt of ammonium sulfate nitrate 2: 1 (2: 1 ASN ). Fertilizer according to claim 25, wherein said stabilizer causes an increase in the starting temperature of at least about 1 ° C compared to the value of said starting temperature presented by a double salt of ammonium sulfate nitrate 2: 1 (2: 1 ASN). 24. Fertilizer according to claim 4, wherein said stabilizer causes an increase in the peak fall in heating rate (PDHR) compared to the value presented by a double salt of ammonium sulfate nitrate 2: 1 (2: 1 ASN). 25. Fertilizer according to claim 25, wherein said stabilizer causes an increase in the peak rate of heating rate (PDHR) of at least about 50% compared to the value presented by a double salt of ammonium sulfate. 2: 1 nitrate (2: 1 ASN). 26. A method for reducing the sensitivity to detonation of compositions containing ammonium nitrate comprising the inclusion in such compositions of at least one stabilizing agent and optionally at least one third compound selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate and magnesium nitrate, and combinations of two or more of these. 27. A method for handling fertilizer compositions, said method comprising supplying a substantially non-detrimental fertilizer composition comprising a double salt of ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent, and optionally a third compound selected from the group which consists of ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, nitrate magnesium, ammonium molybdate, ammonium hexafluorosilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate and combinations of two or more of these. 28. A method for handling fertilizer, said method comprises the transport of the fertilizer of claim 1. 29. The method of handling of claim 30, comprising applying said fertilizer to the soil or to another material for cultivation. \