Ammonia
Ammonia (NH3) is pungent, colorless compound. Anhydrous (water-free) ammonia is easily liquefied under pressure and is extremely soluble in water.
Ammonia is the precursor to most nitrogen-containing compounds. Virtually all synthetic nitrogen compounds are derived from ammonia, including nitric acid, which is used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and many organo-nitrogen compounds. It is easily liquefied by compression or cooling for use in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
Because of its many applications, ammonia is one of the most highly produced inorganic chemicals, yet it is both caustic and hazardous. OSHA has set a limit of 25 ppm during an eight-hour shift. EPA regulations (40 CFR 68) require facilities with more than 10,000 pounds of ammonia to submit a risk management plan, including a hazard assessment, a prevention program, and emergency response program.
Liquefied ammonia is stored in tanks, but if leaked into the ambient air, will expand up to 850 times.
Specifications
| Gas | Ammonia | Gas Density | 0.59 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Symbol | NH3 | Detection Principle | Pellistor, Electrochemical |
| PEL (ppm) | 25 | LEL (%) | 0.15 |
| IDHL (ppm) | 500 | UEL (%) | 0.28 |
| Industries | Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Processing, SCR Systems, Chemical Processing | description | |
| applications |
Products
Industrial Applications
Fertilizers
About 80% or more of the ammonia produced, either as ammonia salts or solutions, is used as fertilizer.
Refrigerants
Ammonia is an excellent refrigerant due to its favorable vaporization properties. Anhydrous ammonia is widely used in industrial refrigeration applications and skating rinks because of its low cost and high energy efficiency. Due to its toxicity, however, it is used less frequently in commercial applications, such as in grocery store freezer cases.
Geothermal power plants
The Kalina cycle, which is of growing importance to geothermal power plants, depends on the wide boiling range of the ammonia-water mixture.
Remediation of gaseous emissions
Ammonia is used in the scrubbing of SO2 that is created from the burning of fossil fuels. The resulting product, ammonium sulfate, can then be used as fertilizer. Ammonia similarly can be used to neutralize the nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants emitted by diesel engines.
Anti-microbial agent for food products
Anhydrous ammonia has been shown effective as an antimicrobial agent for animal feed and is currently used commercially to reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of beef.
Textiles
Liquid ammonia is used for treatment of cotton materials and gives properties like mercerization using alkalis. In particular, it is used for pre-washing of wool.
Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
Either directly or indirectly, ammonia is a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.