ABSTRACT

Numerous studies of thermal transformations of ammonium nitrarte ( A N ) , for instance, [12.1, 12.5], revealed a series o f fundamental features, which made it possible to formulate general concepts o f the mechanism o f these transformations and to explain the observed regularities o f thermal decomposition: (1) the rate of decomposition of A N is considerably higher than the rates o f decomposition of K N 0 3 , ammonium salts on the basis o f stable acids, and ammonia, which allows us to conclude that a direct decomposition of N H 4 + and N 0 3 ~ ions does not sufficiently influence the decomposition of ammonium nitrate; (2) additives of nitric and some other mineral acids considerably accelerate the decomposition of A N , and at the same time, bases inhibit this reaction; (3) evaporation of A N proceeds with the formation o f N H 3 and H N 0 3 .