EN 15476:2009
(Main)Fertilizers - Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda
Fertilizers - Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen with reduction using Devarda alloy (modified for each of the variants a, b and c).
The method is applicable to all nitrogenous fertilizers, including compound fertilizers, in which nitrogen is found exclusively in nitrate form or in ammoniacal and nitrate form.
Düngemittel - Bestimmung von Nitrat- und Ammoniumstickstoff nach Devarda
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Nitrat- und Ammoniumstickstoff durch Reduktion nach Devarda (modifiziert für jede der Varianten a, b, und c) fest.
Das Verfahren ist auf alle Stickstoffdünger einschließlich Mehrnährstoffdünger anwendbar, in denen Stickstoff ausschließlich entweder als Nitrat oder als Ammonium- und Nitratform enthalten ist.
Engrais - Détermination de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacal selon Devarda
La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode pour le dosage de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacal, avec
réduction, à l'aide de l'alliage Devarda (modifié pour chacune des variantes a, b et c).
Cette méthode s'applique à tous les engrais azotés, y compris les engrais composés, dans lesquels l'azote se
trouve exclusivement sous forme nitrique ou sous forme ammoniacale et nitrique.
Gnojila - Določevanje nitratnega in amonijevega dušika po Devardi
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 20-Jan-2009
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 260/WG 7 - Chemical analysis
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 05-Feb-2025
- Completion Date
- 21-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2009
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN 15476:2009 (CEN) specifies an analytical method for the determination of nitric (nitrate) and ammoniacal (ammonium) nitrogen in fertilizers using reduction with Devarda alloy. The method covers three variants (a, b and c) to accommodate different nitrogen concentrations and sample matrices. It is applicable to all nitrogenous fertilizers - including compound fertilizers - where nitrogen occurs exclusively as nitrate or as a mixture of ammoniacal and nitrate forms.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytical principle: Reduction of nitrate/nitrite to ammonia by Devarda alloy (45 % Al, 5 % Zn, 50 % Cu), followed by distillation of ammonia into a known volume of standard sulfuric acid and back-titration of excess acid with standardized NaOH or KOH.
- Reagents & strengths: Variant-dependent sulfuric acid and NaOH/KOH concentrations (examples: variant a - H2SO4 0.05 mol/L, NaOH 0.1 mol/L; variant b - H2SO4 0.1 mol/L, NaOH 0.2 mol/L; variant c - H2SO4 0.25 mol/L, NaOH 0.5 mol/L).
- Devarda alloy: Powdered to defined particle-size distribution; recommended pre-packed bottles (≤100 g).
- Apparatus: Borosilicate glass distillation assembly with splash head and bubble trap (to prevent ammonia loss). Automatic distillation equipment is permitted if statistically equivalent.
- Sample preparation: Follow EN 1482-2 for sample preparation; use CO2- and nitrogen-free water (EN ISO 3696).
- Variants & capacities: Designed to handle different maximum nitrate/ammoniacal nitrogen loads (approx. 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg distilled depending on variant).
- Quality control: Blank tests, control tests with sodium nitrate solutions, and specific neutralization steps for acid-soluble samples. Advice for calcium-containing samples (add sodium phosphate to prevent Ca(OH)2 formation).
- Precision: Based on a 2004 inter-laboratory study (23 labs). Example performance: ammonium nitrate (33.5 % N) mean = 33.45 %, repeatability r = 0.12 %, reproducibility R = 0.77 %.
Applications
- Routine quality control and composition analysis of nitrogenous fertilizers (AN, CAN, NPK blends, DAP).
- Regulatory compliance testing for fertilizer labelling and trade within CEN member countries.
- Laboratory method for agronomic research that requires separation/quantification of nitrate vs. ammoniacal nitrogen.
- Validation and cross-checking of other nitrogen determination techniques (e.g., Kjeldahl, instrumental methods).
Who uses this standard
- Fertilizer manufacturers and production QC laboratories
- Independent testing and certification laboratories
- National regulatory authorities and inspection bodies
- Agricultural research and soil testing labs
Related standards
- EN 1482-2 - Sampling and sample preparation for fertilizers
- EN 12944-1 / EN 12944-2 - Vocabulary for fertilizers and soil improvers
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
EN 15476:2009 is a practical, well‑defined chemical method for laboratories needing reliable nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen determinations in a wide range of fertilizer matrices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15476:2009 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Fertilizers - Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen with reduction using Devarda alloy (modified for each of the variants a, b and c). The method is applicable to all nitrogenous fertilizers, including compound fertilizers, in which nitrogen is found exclusively in nitrate form or in ammoniacal and nitrate form.
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen with reduction using Devarda alloy (modified for each of the variants a, b and c). The method is applicable to all nitrogenous fertilizers, including compound fertilizers, in which nitrogen is found exclusively in nitrate form or in ammoniacal and nitrate form.
EN 15476:2009 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.
EN 15476:2009 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to CEN/TS 15476:2006, EN ISO 3696:1995, EN 1482-2:2024. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 15476:2009 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.
EN 15476:2009 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 Nitrat- und Ammoniumstickstoff nach DevardaEngrais - Détermination de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacal selon DevardaFertilizers - Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15476:2009SIST EN 15476:2009en,fr,de01-junij-2009SIST EN 15476:2009SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST-TS CEN/TS 15476:20061DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 15476January 2009ICS 65.080Supersedes CEN/TS 15476:2006
English VersionFertilizers - Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogenaccording to DevardaEngrais - Détermination de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacalselon DevardaDüngemittel - Bestimmung von Nitrat- undAmmoniumstickstoff nach DevardaThis 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 15476:2009: ESIST EN 15476:2009
Results of the inter-laboratory tests . 12 Bibliography . 13
5.3 Sulfuric acid (for variant a), c = 0,05 mol/l. 5.4 Sodium or potassium hydroxide solution (for variant a), carbonate free, c = 0,1 mol/l. 5.5 Sulfuric acid (for variant b, see NOTE 2 in 8.4), c = 0,1 mol/l.
5.11 Indicator solutions 5.11.1 Mixed indicator Solution A: Dissolve 1 g of methyl red in 37 ml of sodium hydroxide solution c = 0,1 mol/l and make up to 1 l with water. Solution B: Dissolve 1 g of methylene blue in water and make up to 1 l. Mix one volume of A with two volumes of B. This indicator is violet in acid solution, grey in neutral solution and green in alkaline solution. Use 0,5 ml (10 drops) of this indicator solution. 5.11.2 Methyl red indicator solution Dissolve 0,1 g of methyl red in 50 ml of 95 % ethanol. Make up to 100 ml with water and filter if necessary. This indicator may be used (4 to 5 drops) instead of the preceding one. This indicator is red in acid solution and yellow in alkaline solution. 5.12 Ethanol, with a mass fraction of 95 % to 96 % ethanol. 5.13 Sodium nitrate, p. a. 6 Apparatus 6.1 Distillation apparatus Consisting of a round-bottomed flask of suitable capacity, connected to a condenser by a distillation tube with a splash head, additionally equipped with a bubble trap on the receiving flask to prevent any loss of ammonia. The type of apparatus recommended for this determination is reproduced, showing all the features of construction, in Figure 1. The equipment is made of borosilicate glass. SIST EN 15476:2009
Key 1 750 ml or 1 000 ml round-bottomed, long-necked flask with a bell mouth.
2 distillation tube with a splash head and a No 18 spherical joint at the issue
3 elbow tube with a No 18 spherical joint at the entrance, and a drip cone at the issue (a suitable rubber connection may be used instead of the spherical joint)
4 six-bulb condenser with an extension tube mounted on a rubber bung holding a bubble trap
5 750 ml receiving flask
6 bubble trap to prevent loss of ammonia Figure 1 — Distillation apparatus SIST EN 15476:2009
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