Ammonium nitrate — dense fertilizer prilling

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR covers dense, solid, straight ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) fertilizer prills made by nitric-acid/anhydrous-ammonia neutralisation, evaporation, tower prilling, cooling, screening and bulk loading. It includes internal condensate and off-size recovery, air abatement and wastewater collection before external treatment. It is a manufacturing reference, not a fertilizer application service [eu-lvic-aaf-2007, epa-an-ap42-1993].

The AN crystalline phase is NH4NO3; a conditioned commercial SKU is an AN/additive/residual-water mixture, not a pure-species mass flow. Its supplied mass is distinct from active AN mass. Keep each site route and grade separate. Granulation, porous low-density explosive-grade prills, industrial explosives, aqueous AN sales, CAN mineral-filler mixtures, calcium nitrate/AN double salts, ammonium sulphate nitrate and UAN are excluded. A different use label alone does not create another PCR identity. Normal conditioning does not turn the method into a generic fertilizer-blending process: disclose the actual recipe, separately inventory each additive and obtain specific evidence for any additive not covered below. Yara PRILLED N illustrates a marketed prilled AN fertilizer; its nutrient declaration is not a generic recipe, purity or production quantity [yara-prilled-n].

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.other-transportable-goods-except-metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-chemicals.ammonium-nitrate
classification_refs	CPC 3.0 34613; proposed narrower scope [un-cpc3-2025]
covered_products	Dense fertilizer-grade straight AN prills, with declared residual moisture and separately identified conditioning material
excluded_products	CAN; dual salts; ASN; UAN; AN solutions; porous explosive-grade AN; granulated AN; formulated explosives
representative_product	Accepted dense NH4NO3 fertilizer prills, measured grade, bulk delivery
production_route	HNO3/NH3 neutralisation; concentration; tower prilling; cooling; screening; optional conditioning; recovery; bulk loading
market_state	Solid dense prills at plant bulk dispatch, mass as supplied

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Supply a declared straight AN fertilizer product; agricultural application performance is outside this manufacturing reference
How much	1 kg accepted net finished product
How well	Declared AN assay, moisture, total N, nitrate-N, ammoniacal-N, prill size/density and conditioning recipe meeting actual grade acceptance
How long or cycle	At factory bulk dispatch during the recorded production period; no field-service duration
reference_flow_link	finished_prills

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	Ammonium nitrate 4d621a16-cd12-4fc1-9499-21cd8001941f
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	Dense fertilizer prills; NH4NO3 identity; acid/ammonia feed assay; AN assay; moisture; total N and nitrogen forms; prill size and density method; additives and carrier water; actual route; bulk net-mass basis; site and reporting period; steam recovery and wastewater destination

The broad AN identity contains this subset without a contradictory route limitation. It does not establish any concentration, moisture or provider quantity. Declare every qualifier in data-package metadata, reference comments or process notes; an omitted qualifier leaves the package incomplete.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Use net finished mass as dispatched, excluding packaging; retain water and actual additives in product mass. Apply cp_product. All exchanges use per 1 kg reference flow.
acid_solution_basis	nitric_acid_feed	Mass	kg	Record delivered aqueous acid mass and measured HNO3 mass fraction separately. Distinguish active acid and carrier water; a 60% identity does not describe another concentration.
nutrient_basis	finished_prills	Mass	kg	Product mass is not nitrogen mass. Convert only with measured lot-specific total-N mass fraction; keep ammoniacal-N and nitrate-N separately. Do not impose a commercial example as a default. Nitrogen in conditioning additives belongs in total N; do not infer AN assay from total N or assume an equal nitrogen-form split when such additives occur.
utility_basis	imported_steam, exported_steam, electricity	Recorded supplier property	kg or MJ	Preserve steam mass and thermodynamic records; net delivered heat requires matching supplier and condensate-return bases. The selected electricity reference property is Net calorific value, measured as electrical energy, with MJ inventory and 3.6 MJ per metered kWh.
emission_species_basis	ammonia_air, nitric_acid_air, pm25_air, pm25_10_air, pm_over10_air	Mass	kg	Preserve molecular mass basis and sampling wet/dry conditions; particulate fractions must not overlap or double count separately measured acid mist.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Metered HNO3 solution, anhydrous NH3, purchased water, electricity and external saturated steam received by the AN plant
starting_condition_role	Supplier-interface foreground manufacturing start; link upstream production and delivery to compatible background providers
product_classification_scope	Dense straight AN fertilizer prilling subset of CPC 3.0 34613; neighbouring mixtures are excluded
recursive_input_rule	Internal remelted prills and recovered AN-bearing solution stay internal. Purchased AN for rework requires an explicit distinct upstream production dataset, not recursive self-supply or an omitted burden.
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link nitric-acid production including its actual N2O/NOx burden and ammonia production to separate upstream providers; do not insert their factory emissions again into this foreground.
disclosure	Feed assays, net supplied product basis, allocation, utility boundary, emission controls, condensate recovery, steam recipient and waste-treatment interface

• boundary_route: Include feed storage/preheating/vaporisation, neutralisation, concentration, prilling, cooling, screens, conditioning actually used, product storage/loading, recovery and control equipment. Combine stages into one foreground unit while retaining stage meters and physical links with equal quantities at both ends [eu-lvic-aaf-2007, epa-an-ap42-1993].
• boundary_utilities: Internally generated steam/condensate and recirculated cooling water are physical loops, neither new purchased inputs nor automatic credits. External steam production is an upstream unit; an onsite boiler requires a separate fuel, water and combustion inventory and source-specific method before inclusion. No boiler emissions are inferred from the AN process sources [eu-lvic-aaf-2007].
• boundary_wastes: Include residual purge and non-recycled solids sent to declared external treatment. This boundary requires offsite final wastewater treatment and excludes direct final liquid discharge; onsite biological treatment or direct discharge needs additional specific inventories including water, nitrogen species, treatment chemicals, sludge and applicable gaseous emissions. A burdenless wastewater cutoff is not conforming [eu-lvic-aaf-2007].
• boundary_complete: Quantify transport services, maintenance consumables and packaging when included in a concrete study using separate actual-material/service rows and compatible providers. This reference ends at bulk loading and excludes bagged delivery, fertilizer application, capital construction and end use; disclose each study-specific extension or justified exclusion. Do not omit an actual ingredient, fuel, lubricant or waste because its row is unresolved.

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
an_prilling	Integrated AN neutralisation and dense prilling	required	Nitric-acid/anhydrous-ammonia route, dense fertilizer prills, bulk dispatch	Aggregated foreground unit with stage-level meters and recovery ledger	finished_prills; 1 kg accepted net product

Neutralisation → evaporation → prilling → cooling/screening → surface conditioning/coating when used → bulk loading. Where used, record the actual magnesium nitrate feed addition at its documented melt-side dosing point before prilling, whether before, during or after concentration, and attribute its actual dosing energy and material losses to that stage; this is distinct from downstream surface coating. Scrubber liquor, safe fines and condensate return to explicitly recorded stages. Keep this physical mass/water/nitrogen and energy ledger before allocation; an allocated burden ledger never replaces physical quantities.

Process: Integrated AN neutralisation and dense prilling (an_prilling)

Inputs

Product flows

Ammonia, anhydrous (ammonia_feed)

Purchase or receive anhydrous NH3; include storage losses and vaporisation before the reactor. Record purity and delivered physical state. Aqueous ammonia is outside this feed definition.

• Selected flow: Ammonia, anhydrous a0e3299b-9484-4ec3-89d3-cd1e2d6c2225
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_feed
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Nitric acid aqueous feed (nitric_acid_feed)

Record each acid grade separately as delivered solution mass, with its measured HNO3 mass fraction and carrier water. The verified 60% candidate cannot represent other concentrations; select the exact provider grade before data production. Include separate acid dosing to scrubbers in the same acid ledger.

• Selected flow: Nitric acid aqueous feed
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_feed
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Alternating current (electricity)

Meter net purchased electricity for ammonia vaporisation, vacuum equipment, prilling air, cooling, screens, recovery and bulk handling. This UUID is restricted to CN, 1–35 kV, grid-average electricity consumption mix to user; another geography, voltage, supply mix or delivery interface requires its own verified identity. Record kWh and convert to MJ using 3.6 MJ/kWh.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 3d76981f-964a-4865-b588-0e067a2a1163
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_utilities
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

de-ionised water (demineralised_water)

Include only actual purchased de-ionised make-up for process and scrubber service. Record mass and water treatment provider; internal condensate return is an internal loop. Do not treat all cooling circulation as new water.

• Selected flow: de-ionised water 4f197bf0-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Tap water (cooling_makeup)

Conditional on actual treated tap-water cooling make-up. Record net make-up and blowdown separately; do not also count the provider water as a foreground elementary withdrawal. Other water sources require specific atomic rows.

• Selected flow: Tap water d1e0e36c-07f0-4a75-bdcb-efb5d9e2ac36
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Saturated process steam supplied to the AN plant (imported_steam)

Conditional external steam for evaporation, feed heating and conditioning. Require pressure (absolute/gauge distinguished), temperature, dryness, metered mass and return-condensate state. Preserve mass inventory; a supplier heat dataset can be linked only after its net heat basis matches the measured enthalpy balance. Do not adopt 11 MPaG or a food/paper-specific record by name.

• Selected flow: Saturated process steam supplied to the AN plant
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steam
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Magnesium nitrate conditioning additive (magnesium_nitrate)

Conditional on a documented magnesium nitrate recipe. Record anhydrous/hydrated/solution state, CAS, purity, dose and carrier water for the actual grade. No generic recipe, dose or default benefit is specified. Other conditioners require separate species rows and source review.

• Selected flow: Magnesium nitrate conditioning additive
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_additives
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Kaolin anticaking coating (kaolin_coating)

Conditional kaolin coating, measured at the bulk product finishing stage. Require grade, mineral composition, moisture and actual mass. The candidate named Ex-Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin Mine is not accepted as generic coating material. Uncoated lots record non-applicability; other coatings require distinct atomic rows.

• Selected flow: Kaolin anticaking coating
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_additives
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Outputs

Product flows

Ammonium nitrate (finished_prills)

1 kg accepted net finished dense fertilizer prills at bulk loading, including measured residual moisture and any declared conditioning material, excluding transport packaging. Only this final output is the reference flow.

• Selected flow: Ammonium nitrate 4d621a16-cd12-4fc1-9499-21cd8001941f
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: 1 kg
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Purified neutralisation steam exported to another unit (exported_steam)

Only actual purified steam crossing the aggregated AN unit boundary is an output. Record recipient, mass, pressure, temperature, dryness and condensate return. Internal steam used for AN evaporation is an internal transfer, not a co-product. Do not equate contaminated process vapour with marketable steam.

• Selected flow: Purified neutralisation steam exported to another unit
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steam
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Waste flows

AN-bearing aqueous purge sent to external treatment (purge_wastewater)

Measure actual condensate/scrubber purge crossing to a named external treatment operator; record wet mass, density if volume-derived, NH4-N, NO3-N, other constituents, and receiving requirements. It is one aqueous waste stream, not an elementary ammonia/nitrate discharge. Recycling is not waste.

• Selected flow: AN-bearing aqueous purge sent to external treatment
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Non-recycled ammonium nitrate screening rejects (rejected_prills)

Conditional on off-spec prills or fines physically leaving to treatment. Record AN assay, moisture, coating/organic contamination and recipient. Re-dissolved safe fines remain internal. Safety-incompatible contaminated screenings must not be presumed recyclable.

• Selected flow: Non-recycled ammonium nitrate screening rejects
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

Elementary flows

ammonia (ammonia_air)

Measure NH3 emitted after actual abatement from neutralisation, evaporation, prilling, cooling and handling, including fugitives. Record NH3 mass rather than N mass, sampling wet/dry gas basis and air subcompartment. No positive default emission is imposed.

• Selected flow: ammonia 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-a2a9-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

nitric acid (nitric_acid_air)

Measure emitted HNO3 vapour/mist as HNO3 mass after abatement. Separate from NH3 and particulate mass; disclose sampling coverage and whether condensed HNO3 is already included in a particulate test. Do not sum two measurements of the same material.

• Selected flow: nitric acid 1df287ba-2f10-461e-95ce-7714a3e76ac6
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

particles (PM2.5) (pm25_air)

Measure the PM2.5 fraction escaping to outdoor air after abatement; include submicron AN fume where the method captures it. Retained dust and recycled miniprills are not emitted mass.

• Selected flow: particles (PM2.5) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-9293-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

particles (PM2.5 - PM10) (pm25_10_air)

Use measured non-overlapping 2.5–10 micrometre mass. If monitors report cumulative PM10 and PM2.5 on compatible bases, calculate this fraction by subtraction; do not also inventory cumulative PM10. Historical low-density prill distributions cannot supply this fraction.

• Selected flow: particles (PM2.5 - PM10) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-9501-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

particles (> PM10) (pm_over10_air)

Measure escaping particles above 10 micrometres from prilling, cooling, screening, coating and loading. Derive from compatible total and PM10 only when supported. Unknown size fractions remain unresolved rather than duplicated or set to zero.

• Selected flow: particles (> PM10) fe0acd60-3ddc-11dd-a70a-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

water vapour (water_vapour_air)

Record non-condensed process and cooling evaporation to outdoor air from the water balance; separate carrier water from imported de-ionised/tap-water inputs. Condensed and recycled water stays internal, and steam export is recorded separately.

• Selected flow: water vapour fe0acd60-3ddc-11dd-ac04-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measure actual occurrence using the listed collection protocol and normalize by accepted net product mass in the same period; non-occurrence requires non-applicability evidence, not an assumed zero for unknown amounts.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water
• Sources: eu-lvic-aaf-2007; epa-an-ap42-1993

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

• allocation_physical_ledger: Retain measured physical inputs, full prill output, exported steam, purge, solid rejects, emissions and opening/closing stocks before allocating environmental burdens. Internal recovered solution and fines are neither co-products nor avoided-production credits. Never multiply actual co-product mass or steam delivery by an allocation fraction [eu-lvic-aaf-2007, ec-pef-2021].
• allocation_hierarchy: Attribute separately measured feed handling, prilling, conditioning and waste treatment directly to their functions wherever subdivision is feasible. For genuinely shared neutralisation/steam-recovery burdens, investigate subdivision or an explicitly expanded system first. If neither is feasible, document a causally relevant measured physical relationship; kilograms of fertilizer and kilograms of steam are not automatically a causal key. If that relationship cannot be established, justify an economic key from contemporaneous AN and usable-steam values at the same transfer boundary. No fixed share is prescribed [ec-pef-2021, Annex I 4.5].
• allocation_no_double_credit: Use one declared treatment of steam export. An attributional product dataset reports allocated burdens and full measured exports; it cannot also subtract hypothetical avoided boiler production. Any separately presented expanded-system result requires demonstrated recipient function and compatible displaced supply, is labelled as an expanded-system result, and is not silently merged with the 1 kg AN product result [ec-pef-2021].

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

Use one representative complete operating year or a justified complete campaign for the same route, supplied state and grade, with matching lot and meter coverage. Retain raw, unallocated period totals, including all attributable start-up, shutdown, idle, recovery, cleaning, off-spec, failed and zero-accepted-output batches and rework; do not select only successful batches. Reconcile opening/closing work in progress and finished stocks with their accumulated inventory burdens, documenting carry-in/carry-out attribution without lost or duplicated burdens. P is strictly positive final accepted net product produced for that pool, reconciled with production, loading and stocks; exclude final rejects and count returned, reworked and reaccepted material only once. Apply period_normalisation to each reconciled raw exchange total once; row, protocol and calculation descriptions denote that same division. A complete period with P <= 0 requires a justified wider representative period or an incomplete result. Disclose omitted periods and their effect on representativeness. Future producers collect these records; this PCR supplies no fabricated site survey or activity quantities.

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_product	an_prilling	finished_prills	Weighing and grade acceptance	lot; gross/tare/net mass; AN assay; moisture; total-N; nitrate-N; ammoniacal-N; particle size; density method; recipe; stock changes	Calibrated bulk scales and retained lot assays; reconcile production, loading and product stocks; exclude packaging	kg	Every lot and dispatch	Same representative operating year or complete campaign	Declared AN line and grade	per 1 kg reference flow	Calibration, assay methods, acceptance and stock reconciliation
cp_feed	an_prilling	ammonia_feed; nitric_acid_feed	Feed metering and assays	source; delivered mass; NH3 purity/state; HNO3 mass fraction; acid grade; carrier water; reactor/scrubber split; loss; feed stock changes	Calibrated mass meters and supplier primary records plus representative assays; volume-derived mass uses measured density and temperature	kg	Each delivery and stage meter interval	Same product period	Feed storage, vaporisation, reactor and acid scrubbers	per 1 kg reference flow	Meter calibration, assays, provider specification and compatible quantity basis
cp_utilities	an_prilling	electricity	Meter record	kWh; voltage; utility boundary; stage; operating time; grid region; allocation evidence	Calibrated purchased/stage submeters; subtract only documented unrelated loads; reconcile with invoices	MJ	Meter interval and monthly reconciliation	Same product period	AN production, recovery and bulk handling	per 1 kg reference flow	Meter/invoice match and voltage/provider energy-property compatibility
cp_water	an_prilling	demineralised_water; cooling_makeup; water_vapour_air	Water balance	supplied water grade; metered mass/volume; density/temperature; acid/additive carrier water; condensate; make-up; blowdown; evaporated water; opening/closing stocks	Calibrated feed/cooling meters and validated stage water balance; identify each return loop and actual atmospheric evaporation	kg	Meter interval and balance period	Same product period	AN unit and cooling/recovery services	per 1 kg reference flow	Balance closure and instrument/density evidence, no automatic 1000 kg/m3 assumption
cp_steam	an_prilling	imported_steam; exported_steam	Steam and enthalpy balance	direction; recipient/provider; steam mass; pressure and gauge/absolute basis; temperature; dryness; condensate mass/state; internal recovery; heat basis	Calibrated steam meters and steam-table enthalpy determination from measured state; reconcile supply, condensate return, internal recovery and export	kg	Stage meter interval	Same product period	Actual AN utility transfer boundaries	per 1 kg reference flow	Meter calibration, measured state, supplier mass/heat reference definition and receiver evidence
cp_additives	an_prilling	magnesium_nitrate; kaolin_coating	Recipe and dose record	lot; individual chemical/mineral identity; CAS where applicable; hydration; purity; moisture; carrier water; weighed mass; loss; stock changes	Weighed batch dosing and supplier grade certificates; audit each constituent and separate carrier water without duplicate input	kg	Every lot	Same product period	Actual conditioner/coating dosing points	per 1 kg reference flow	Recipe approval, scale calibration and supplier composition; no historic formula default
cp_waste	an_prilling	purge_wastewater; rejected_prills	Waste transfer and characterisation	stream; wet mass; density if needed; AN assay; NH4-N; NO3-N; coating/organic contamination; destination; stock; internal reuse	Calibrated waste weighing/flowmeters, representative chemical analyses and receiver tickets; distinguish water-phase purge from solid rejects	kg	Each transfer and representative sampling	Same product period	AN unit to external treatment	per 1 kg reference flow	Recipient acceptance, composition, hazardous handling and provider requirements
cp_air	an_prilling	ammonia_air; nitric_acid_air; pm25_air; pm25_10_air; pm_over10_air	Post-abatement monitoring	source/stage; species; gas flow; concentration; temperature/pressure; wet/dry basis; hours; control uptime; size bins; fugitives; detection limit	Validated species-resolved stack testing/monitoring after controls, size-resolved particulate sampling and justified fugitive measurement; account for condensable AN fume and acid-mist overlap	kg	Continuous where available or representative tests for each operating mode	Same product period, including nonroutine operation	All actual AN vents, cooling, screens, coating and loading	per 1 kg reference flow	Sampling method, instrument calibration, control/bypass coverage and detection-limit treatment
cp_allocation	an_prilling	Shared AN/usable steam burdens	Engineering and commercial allocation evidence	direct burdens; shared burdens; AN output; steam output; useful heat; causal relationship; contemporaneous prices; chosen shares	Evaluate the hierarchy using actual stage meters and recipient utility records; justify any economic fallback and sensitivity	kg; MJ; currency	Annual or complete campaign assessment	Same product and steam period	Same AN and steam transfer boundary	per 1 kg reference flow	Written rationale, measured utility function, price dates and sensitivity

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
period_normalisation	all inventory rows	a_i = Q_i / P; Q_i is the measured external exchange in the declared period, P is accepted net prill mass in kg. finished_prills is 1 kg. Keep internal loops out of Q_i. Use one representative complete operating year or a justified complete campaign for the same route, supplied state and grade, with matching lot and meter coverage. Retain raw, unallocated period totals, including all attributable start-up, shutdown, idle, recovery, cleaning, off-spec, failed and zero-accepted-output batches and rework; do not select only successful batches. Reconcile opening/closing work in progress and finished stocks with their accumulated inventory burdens, documenting carry-in/carry-out attribution without lost or duplicated burdens. P is strictly positive final accepted net product produced for that pool, reconciled with production, loading and stocks; exclude final rejects and count returned, reworked and reaccepted material only once. Apply period_normalisation to each reconciled raw exchange total once; row, protocol and calculation descriptions denote that same division. A complete period with P <= 0 requires a justified wider representative period or an incomplete result. Disclose omitted periods and their effect on representativeness. Future producers collect these records; this PCR supplies no fabricated site survey or activity quantities.	Q_i; P; collection records	Exchange amount per 1 kg reference flow	eu-lvic-aaf-2007
active_component	nitric_acid_feed, ammonia_feed, magnesium_nitrate	Active-component mass = delivered mass times measured active mass fraction; carrier-water mass is measured separately or obtained from a verified complete composition, not automatically all non-active mass. Preserve delivered-solution provider basis.	delivered mass; assay; complete composition	Active species and carrier-water reconciliation	eu-lvic-aaf-2007
nutrient_conversion	finished_prills	Nitrogen output = P times measured total-N fraction. An inventory per kg N equals the product-based inventory divided by that measured fraction; it is an additional nutrient result, not a replacement reference output. Keep nitrogen-form balances.	P; total-N; nitrate-N; ammoniacal-N	Declared kg-N output and optional nutrient normalization	yara-prilled-n
electricity_conversion	electricity	Electrical energy in MJ = metered kWh times 3.6; preserve the selected property and provider quantity convention.	metered kWh	MJ electricity	eu-lvic-aaf-2007
steam_balance	imported_steam, exported_steam	Evaluate delivered enthalpy against all measured steam and condensate-return mass/state streams at the same boundary. Retain internal reaction-heat recovery separately. Do not infer net heat from a unit label, kg mass alone, or an assumed condensate return.	measured masses; measured states; supplier enthalpy convention	Reconciled external mass and net delivered heat with compatible provider basis	eu-lvic-aaf-2007
emission_integration	ammonia_air, nitric_acid_air, pm25_air, pm25_10_air, pm_over10_air	Integrate measured concentration times compatible gas volume over operating modes. For mg/Nm3 and Nm3, divide the product by 1000000 for kg. Use compatible temperature, pressure, dry/wet and pollutant definitions; add independently assessed fugitives once.	concentrations; gas volumes; mode coverage; fugitives	Species-resolved emitted kg	epa-an-ap42-1993
particulate_partition	pm25_air, pm25_10_air, pm_over10_air	With compatible measured cumulative masses, PM2.5–10 = PM10 minus PM2.5; PM>10 = total particulate minus PM10. Never also sum cumulative total/PM10 with the bins. Missing size information remains unresolved.	compatible measured total; PM10; PM2.5	Non-overlapping fractions	epa-an-ap42-1993
physical_balance	all inventory rows	Reconcile inputs minus final product, external usable steam, external wastes, emitted species and change in stock on total mass, water and elemental-N ledgers. Track each internal link at both ends with equal quantity. Active AN is not fixed at theoretical yield; use measured recovery and losses.	feed/product assays; water; waste; emissions; stock and recycle logs	Declared residuals, uncertainties and reconciliation	eu-lvic-aaf-2007
burden_allocation	all inventory rows	For shared burden B and justified share alpha, AN burden is alpha times B; directly attributable AN burdens are added separately. Shares across co-functions sum to one. Retain full physical output masses and report the allocated burden separately.	direct/shared burdens; measured allocation key	AN burden per 1 kg reference flow; separate physical ledger	ec-pef-2021

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	All supplied product inputs and final output	Confirm chemistry, grade, feed concentration, additive hydration, prill density/state and supplier quantity reference; UUID identity does not establish provider compatibility	Primary certificates, assays and provider definitions
dq_balance	Mass, nitrogen, water and energy	Retain both physical and allocated ledgers; review residuals against stated measurement uncertainty and a site-justified tolerance; no generic closure tolerance or yield is imposed	Stage balance, stocks, recovery and calibration
dq_emissions	All applicable air sources	Check abatement, bypasses, condensable fume, species mass and non-overlapping size intervals. AP-42 historical factors and low-density/uncontrolled distributions are not dense-prill defaults	Actual monitoring and control logs; epa-an-ap42-1993
dq_resolution	Every applicable row	Resolve missing identity/provider linkage before producing a complete dataset. Keep a measured but unidentified exchange visible; do not replace it with a correction flow or zero	Actual flow and support definitions; receiver conditions
dq_representation	Production period and category	Do not transfer a single factory recipe or energy/emission level as a category average; disclose production mode, grade coverage, region and temporal representativeness	Actual period records; eu-lvic-aaf-2007

9. Validation Rules

• validate_reference: Require exactly one final reference output finished_prills, 1 kg net supplied product, with the same denominator in inventories, protocols and calculations. Do not also inventory an intermediate AN product with this UUID as another final reference.
• validate_route: Verify the dense fertilizer prilling route and exclusions, physical state and complete grade qualifiers. A formulation or granulation dataset cannot be accepted by a matching classification label alone [eu-lvic-aaf-2007, un-cpc3-2025].
• validate_quantity: Require actual quantities and traceable assays/densities/state conversions; reconcile mass, water, nitrogen, steam and inventory stock changes. Internal links must agree at both ends. Neither source stoichiometry nor a supplier reference property supplies actual yield, purity or heat demand.
• validate_emissions: Verify species, outdoor-air subcompartment and sampling basis; the present UUIDs represent outdoor air unspecified only. Site evidence for a more specific compartment requires that corresponding verified identity. No cumulative PM10/total-plus-bin sum or acid-mist overlap is permitted; unknown size/monitor coverage is pending, not a pass [epa-an-ap42-1993].
• validate_waste: Keep waste transfers distinct from elementary emissions and link external treatment once; show recovery, non-recycled rejects, impurity constraints and receiver acceptance. Direct final liquid discharge or onsite biological treatment requires a method/inventory extension before conformity [eu-lvic-aaf-2007].
• validate_allocation: Verify subdivision/physical/economic rationale, recipient steam function, shared-burden shares and sensitivity. Actual material output and transferred steam remain full quantities in the physical ledger. Reject simultaneous allocated burdens and avoided-steam credit [ec-pef-2021].
• validate_completeness: Missing actual ingredient, waste, identity, measurement, provider basis or incompatible source leaves the concrete dataset incomplete; no default zeros, proxy flows or classification coverage claim can repair it. Scientific review is distinct from these modelling checks.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Site/grade-specific foreground dense AN fertilizer prilling production dataset
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset after actual data and provider review
allowed_use	Cradle-to-gate modelling of the declared bulk straight AN grade using compatible upstream supplies and treatment
excluded_use	Granulation; porous explosive prills; AN solutions; CAN/ASN/UAN/dual salts; explosives; fertilizer-use performance; unsupported generic fertilizer market averages
required_metadata	Site; period; assays and carrier water; prill size/density method; conditioning; net mass; utilities and steam return; controls; recovery; waste recipients; upstream providers; allocation method
required_quality_disclosure	Coverage and uncertainties; balances; missing identities and provider-basis debt; representativeness; cutoffs/extensions; allocation sensitivity; sampling and particle-bin limitations
update_trigger	Route, assay, additive, treatment, utility, control or allocation changes; new original evidence; incompatible supplier basis; revised sampling/identity

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
un-cpc3-2025	official_guidance	United Nations Statistics Division, CPC Version 3.0 Structure, 30 June 2025; https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Structure_30Jun2025.csv	34613 classification identity and adjacent 34614/34615/34616 exclusions; classification is not a manufacturing recipe
eu-lvic-aaf-2007	official_guidance	European Commission, LVIC-AAF BREF, August 2007; chapter 9 sections 9.2.1–9.2.7, 9.4.6, 9.5; printed pp.365–369,383–385 (PDF pp.393–397,411–413); https://bureau-industrial-transformation.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2019-11/lvic_aaf.pdf	Neutralisation, concentration, prilling, heat/condensate recovery, conditioning, abatement and residual effluent boundary. AN provisions only; no CAN recipe, numeric emission threshold or historic plant consumption default
epa-an-ap42-1993	official_guidance	US EPA AP-42 section 8.3, July 1993, reformatted January 1995; pp.8.3-1–3,8.3-6–7 and Figure 8.3-1; https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/documents/8.3_ammonium_nitrate.pdf	Dense versus porous prills, process map, actual additive/coating conditions, NH3/HNO3/particulate sources, recovery. Historical factors and uncontrolled low-density size distributions are not adopted as numeric defaults
yara-prilled-n	handbook	Yara UK, PRILLED N product page, accessed 2026-10-14; https://www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/fertiliser/other/prilled-n/	Producer market-state and nitrogen-form example only; not site recipe, additive composition, dense-prill density measurement or default nutrient conversion
ec-pef-2021	official_guidance	European Commission, C(2021) 9332 final, Annexes 1–2; Annex I section 4.5, PDF pp.63–64; https://environment.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-12/Annexes%201%20to%202.pdf	General multifunctionality hierarchy and justification of physical/economic allocation; no fertilizer-specific fixed shares or claim of complete PEF conformity