Non-Stop is the name for a new non-acidic chemical technology that arrests troublesome phosphate reactions and generally increases the efficiency of hydroponics/fertigation systems.
Non-Stop technology is to be phased into production schedules during the coming months and all new material will be clearly labelled. By the 2016/17 season it is anticipated that all Solufeed water soluble fertilizers made for sale in the British Isles will incorporate Non-Stop technology as standard.
The chemistry
Fertigation and hydroponics feed solutions by definition contain calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions together with phosphate (eg HPO42-) and sulphate (SO42-) ions. If the source water is hard and of poor quality the solution will also contain bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions and the pH will tend to be higher.
All these components have a tendency to react as follows:
- Calcium + phosphate → calcium phosphate (CaHPO4)
- Calcium + bicarbonate → calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
- Magnesium + phosphate → magnesium phosphate (MgHPO4)
- Iron + phosphate → iron phosphate (FePO4)
- Calcium + sulphate → calcium sulphate (CaSO4)
In every case the result of the reaction is the production of an insoluble precipitate (an extreme example pictured above) which is responsible for scaling and all the associated problems. Undoubtedly the calcium/phosphate reaction is the most serious hence the traditional “A” and “B” tank system to keep the concentrated reactants apart and reduce the problem. However the reactions do occur in the diluted feed solution and are relentless. Key influential factors include:
- pH above 7.5 (normally controlled by acidification)
- Calcium content > 60 ppm
- Magnesium content > 30 ppm
- Bicarbonate content > 150 ppm
Non-Stop essentially modifies the chemical properties of feed solutions so that phosphate reactivity is reduced and formation of insoluble precipitates are discouraged.
For more information:
Solufeed
T: +44 (0)1243554090
enquiries@solufeed.com
solufeed.com