SIST EN 15478:2009
(Main)Fertilizers - Determination of total nitrogen in urea
Fertilizers - Determination of total nitrogen in urea
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of total nitrogen in urea. This method is applied exclusively to urea fertilizers which are nitrate free.
Düngemittel - Bestimmung von Gesamtstickstoff in Harnstoff
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Gesamtstickstoff in Harnstoff fest. Das Verfahren ist ausschließlich auf nitratfreie Harnstoffdüngemittel anwendbar.
Engrais - Détermination de l'azote total dans l'urée
La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode permettant de doser l’azote total dans l’urée. Cette
méthode s’applique uniquement aux engrais à base d’urée exempts de nitrate.
Gnojila - Določevanje celotnega dušika v sečnini
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 19-Oct-2008
- Publication Date
- 10-May-2009
- Technical Committee
- KAT - Soil quality
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 11-May-2009
- Due Date
- 16-Jul-2009
- Completion Date
- 11-May-2009
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2009
Overview
EN 15478:2009 (CEN) specifies an analytical method for the determination of total nitrogen in urea. The standard applies exclusively to nitrate‑free urea fertilizers and defines the chemical principle, required reagents and apparatus, sample preparation reference, procedural steps (digestion, distillation, titration), calculation and reporting of results. The method transforms urea to ammonia by acid digestion, distils the ammonia into excess acid and back‑titrates the excess to calculate total nitrogen content, reported as % N.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Method limited to urea fertilizers that are free from nitrate interference.
- Principle: Quantitative conversion of urea to ammonia by boiling with concentrated sulfuric acid and Kjeldahl catalysts; distillation of liberated ammonia into standard sulfuric acid and back titration with standardized alkali.
- Reagents: Analytical‑grade reagents including Kjeldahl tablets (K2SO4/Se), concentrated H2SO4, NaOH solutions of defined concentrations, and specified indicator solutions. Water must meet EN ISO 3696 grade 3.
- Apparatus: Borosilicate glass distillation setup (several recommended configurations) or statistically equivalent automatic distillation units; 500 ml receiving flasks and 1 000 ml Kjeldahl flasks.
- Procedure highlights:
- Sample digestion (H2SO4 + Kjeldahl tablet) until dense white fumes, cool.
- Distillation after alkalization (NaOH), collect defined distillate volume, back‑titrate excess acid.
- Carry out a simultaneous blank and a control test with pure urea.
- Calculation & expression: Result expressed as mass fraction (% N) determined from titration volumes and sample mass.
- Precision: Inter‑laboratory validation (19 labs, Annex A) gives mean ~46.26% N for the test urea; repeatability limit r = 0.24% and reproducibility limit R = 0.74%.
Applications and users
- Quality control for urea fertilizer manufacturers to verify labeled nitrogen content.
- Analytical testing laboratories performing regulatory or commercial testing of fertilizers.
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessment organisations implementing fertilizer regulations (e.g., Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003).
- Research labs and agricultural product developers needing standardized, comparable nitrogen determinations in nitrate‑free urea matrices.
Related standards
- EN 1482-2 - Sample preparation for fertilizers (referenced for sample prep)
- EN 1482-1 - Sampling (recommended)
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- ISO 5725-1 - Precision (trueness & precision) of measurement methods
- Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 - Fertiliser regulation (method cross‑reference)
Using EN 15478:2009 ensures consistent, validated measurement of total nitrogen in nitrate‑free urea fertilizers, supporting product quality assurance, regulatory compliance and reliable inter‑laboratory comparability.
Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 15478:2009 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Fertilizers - Determination of total nitrogen in urea". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of total nitrogen in urea. This method is applied exclusively to urea fertilizers which are nitrate free.
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of total nitrogen in urea. This method is applied exclusively to urea fertilizers which are nitrate free.
SIST EN 15478:2009 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.080 - Fertilizers. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 15478:2009 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST-TS CEN/TS 15478:2006. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 15478:2009 is associated with the following European legislation: Standardization Mandates: M/335. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
SIST EN 15478:2009 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Düngemittel - Bestimmung von Gesamtstickstoff in HarnstoffEngrais - Détermination de l'azote total dans l'uréeFertilizers - Determination of total nitrogen in urea65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15478:2009SIST EN 15478:2009en,fr,de01-junij-2009SIST EN 15478:2009SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST-TS CEN/TS 15478:20061DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 15478January 2009ICS 65.080Supersedes CEN/TS 15478:2006
English VersionFertilizers - Determination of total nitrogen in ureaEngrais - Détermination de l'azote total dans l'uréeDüngemittel - Bestimmung von Gesamtstickstoff inHarnstoffThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 November 2008.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as theofficial versions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2009 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 15478:2009: ESIST EN 15478:2009
Results of the inter-laboratory tests . 13 Bibliography . 14
1 Scope This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of total nitrogen in urea. This method is applied exclusively to urea fertilizers which are nitrate free. 2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN 1482-2, Fertilizers and liming materials — Sampling and sample preparation — Part 2: Sample preparation EN 12944-1:1999, Fertilizers and liming materials and soil improvers — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms EN 12944-2:1999, Fertilizers and liming materials and soil improvers — Vocabulary — Part 2: Terms relating to fertilizers
EN ISO 3696:1995, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods (ISO 3696:1987) 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12944-1:1999 and EN 12944-2:1999 apply. 4 Principle Urea is transformed quantitatively into ammonia by boiling in the presence of sulfuric acid. The ammonia thus obtained is distilled from an alkaline medium, the distillate being collected in an excess of standard sulfuric acid. The excess acid is titrated by means of a standard alkaline solution. 5 Reagents 5.1 General Use only reagents of recognized analytical grade and distilled or demineralized water, free from carbon dioxide and all nitrogenous compounds (grade 3 according to EN ISO 3696:1995). 5.2 Kjeldahl tablets,
5 g/tablet containing 100 parts K2SO4 to 1 part selenium. SIST EN 15478:2009
Key 1 round-bottomed, long-necked flask of 1 000 ml capacity
2 distillation tube with a splash head, connected to the condenser by means of a spherical joint (No 18) (the spherical joint for the connection to the condenser may be replaced by an appropriate rubber connection)
3 funnel with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tap (6) for the addition of sodium hydroxide
4 six-bulb condenser with spherical joint (No 18) at the entrance, and joined
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