EN 14787:2005

Fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of water content - Guidelines and recommendations

There are, at present, four standard methods (EN 12048, EN 12049, EN 13466-1 and EN 13466-2) available for the determination of the water content in fertilizers and liming materials. This European Standard specifies general requirements and further guidance and recommendations on the choice for the appropriate method for the determination of the water content, considering the form under which it is present in a specific fertilizer type, and on the correct interpretation of the results.

Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung des Wassergehaltes - Leitlinien und Empfehlungen

Dieses Dokument enthält  Leitlinien  und Empfehlungen für die  Auswahl  des geeigneten  Verfahrens  zur
Bestimmung des Wassergehaltes in festen Düngemitteln unter Berücksichtigung der Form des Vorliegens in
einem spezifischen Düngemitteltyp sowie der Interpretation der Ergebnisse.

Engrais et amendements minéraux basiques - Détermination de la teneur en eau - Guide et recommandations

Ce document donne des conseils qui permettent d�une part de choisir la méthode appropriée pour déterminer la
teneur en eau, compte tenu de la forme sous laquelle celle-ci est présente dans le type d�engrais considéré et
d�autre part d�interpréter les résultats obtenus.

Gnojila in sredstva za apnjenje – Določevanje vode – Smernice in priporočila

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-May-2005
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 260/WG 2 - Physical properties of fertilizers
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 05-Feb-2021
• Completion Date: 12-Nov-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 14787:2005 - Fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of water content - Guidelines and recommendations

Overview

EN 14787:2005, titled Fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of water content - Guidelines and recommendations, is a European Standard developed by CEN to provide guidance on selecting appropriate methods for measuring water content in fertilizers and liming materials. This standard complements existing methodologies-EN 12048, EN 12049, EN 13466-1, and EN 13466-2-by offering practical recommendations for method choice based on the water form present and ensuring accurate interpretation of results.

Water content, often referred to as moisture content, significantly influences the quality, storage behavior, and handling properties of fertilizers. Measuring this parameter correctly is crucial for quality control and production optimization in the fertilizer industry.

Key Topics

• Forms of Water in Fertilizers
  The standard clarifies different forms of water found in fertilizers, including:

  • Essential water (water of crystallization and constitution, integral to the chemical structure)
  • Non-essential water (adsorbed, absorbed, and occluded water, which impact physical properties)
    Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the suitable determination method.

• Available Water Determination Methods
  Four principal methods are recognized:

  • Gravimetric methods (EN 12048 and EN 12049), involving drying under specified conditions to measure moisture loss. Suitable for adsorbed water removal but may be limited for other water forms.
  • Karl Fischer titration methods (EN 13466-1 using methanol, EN 13466-2 using 2-propanol), which extract water into solvents and use chemical titration, more effective for essential and intricately bound water forms.

• Effect of Sample Preparation
  The standard highlights how grinding or crushing samples can alter water content through heating effects or exposure to atmospheric moisture. Proper sample handling protocols are emphasized to maintain accuracy.

• Interpretation and Reporting
  Results from different water determination methods are not directly comparable due to variability in water forms measured. EN 14787 stresses reporting the specific method used and following strict sampling and preparation routines to ensure representativity and reliability.

Applications

EN 14787:2005 is essential for:

• Quality control laboratories managing fertilizer and liming material production.
• Manufacturers seeking to optimize product handling and storage based on accurate moisture content measurement.
• Regulatory bodies requiring standard-compliant water content determinations.
• Agricultural suppliers and distributors ensuring consistent product performance and shelf life.

By following EN 14787 guidelines, stakeholders can minimize errors due to inappropriate method selection and sampling inconsistencies, improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

Related Standards

EN 14787 references and aligns with several critical European Standards including:

• EN 12048 – Gravimetric determination of moisture content by drying at (105 ± 2)°C.
• EN 12049 – Gravimetric drying under reduced pressure for moisture determination.
• EN 13466-1 – Karl Fischer method using methanol as an extracting medium.
• EN 13466-2 – Karl Fischer method using 2-propanol as an extracting medium.
• EN 12944-2 – Vocabulary providing definitions related to fertilizers and liming materials.

These standards collectively address different fertilizer types and water forms, supporting accurate and method-specific moisture analysis.

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Keywords: EN 14787, fertilizer water content, moisture determination, liming materials, gravimetric method, Karl Fischer titration, fertilizer quality control, fertilizer standards, water of crystallization, adsorbed water, fertilizer sampling, fertilizer testing protocols.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2005
*QRMLODLQVUHGVWYD]DDSQMHQMH±'RORþHYDQMHYRGH±6PHUQLFHLQSULSRURþLOD
Fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of water content - Guidelines and
recommendations
Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung des
Wassergehaltes - Leitlinien und Empfehlungen
Engrais et amendements minéraux basiques - Détermination de la teneur en eau - Guide
et recommandations
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14787:2005
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 14787
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2005
ICS 65.080
English version
Fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of water content -
Guidelines and recommendations
Engrais et amendements minéraux basiques - Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-
Détermination de la teneur en eau - Guide et Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung des
recommandations Wassergehaltes - Leitlinien und Empfehlungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 21 March 2005.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14787:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Methods for water determination.6
4.1 General.6
4.2 Gravimetric methods.6
4.3 Extraction methods .7
4.4 Overview of existing methods.7
5 Effect of grinding on water content .9
6 Summary.9
Bibliography .10

Foreword
This document (EN 14787:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 260 "Fertilizers and
liming materials", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2005, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn
at the latest by November 2005.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and United Kingdom.
Introduction
There are, at present, four standard methods (EN 12048, EN 12049, EN 13466-1 and EN 13466-2) available
for the determination of the water content in fertilizers and liming materials. Product quality characteristics of
fertilizers, especially physical and bulk behaviour properties, with effects on storing and handling, are to a
major extent governed by the water content of the solid fertilizer. Consequently the water content is a very
important parameter in production and product quality control. The term "moisture content" is often used to
describe the amount of water present in a fertilizer.
1 Scope
This document gives guidance on the choice for the appropriate method for the determination of the water
content, considering the form under which it is present in a specific fertilizer type, and on the interpretation of
the results.
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 12048, Solid fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of moisture content - Gravimetric method by
drying at (105 +/- 2)°C (ISO 8190:1992, modified).
EN 12049, Solid fertilizers and liming materials - Determination of moisture content - Gravimetric method by
drying under reduced pressure (ISO 8189:1992, modified).
EN 12944-2, Fertilizers and liming materials and soil improvers - Vocabulary - Part 2: Terms relating to
fertilizers.
EN 13466-1, Fertilizers - Determination of water content (Karl Fischer methods) - Part 1: Methanol as
extracting medium.
EN 13466-2, Fertilizers - Determination of water content (Karl Fischer methods) - Part 2: 2-propanol as
extracting medium.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE Water can be present in a number of forms (see [1]). It can be present as a contaminant from the atmosphere or
it may be chemically bound within the sample.
3.1
essential water
water, in stoichiometric quantities, that forms an integral part of the molecular or crystal structure
3.2
water of crystallisation
essential water present in a stable solid hydrate
3.3
water of constitution
essential water that is released when the solid decomposes
3.4
non-essential water
water, in non-stoichiometric quantities, that is retained as a consequence of physical forces
NOTE The term "free water" is often used to describe non-essential water and best correlates to the physical
properties and bulk behaviour.
3.5
adsorbed water
non-essential water that is retained on the surface of solids in a humid environment
NOTE The amount of water that is adsorbed depends on the fertilizer type, humidity, temperature and the specific
surface area of the solid.
3.6
absorbed water
non-essential water that is held as a condensed phase in the capillaries of the solid
NOTE The quantity contained in the
...