The Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen as Cyanamide

Abstract

IN NATURE of August 30, 1906, an article was published describing the Birkeland Eyde process for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by electrothermic methods and the conversion of the nitric acid so obtained into calcium nitrate, which is used as a fertiliser in place of “Chili saltpetre. Since that date the Birkelandi Eyde works at Notodden, in Norway, have been considerably enlarged, owing to the success which met their initial efforts. The necessity of obtaining large quantities of nitrogen in a form suitable for fertilising purposes does not require to be reiterated again, because the fact that the available sources are being depleted, and the demand for nitrogen for agricultural purposes continually increases, is now universal!” recognised. This has led many investigators to endeavour to fix atmospheric nitrogen in some other form, which it is hoped will be more economical than that of direct oxidation in the electric arc.