Ammonia, or azane, is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or indirectly, is also a building-block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals or is used in many commercial cleaning products. Although in wide use, ammonia is both caustic and hazardous

1. Ammonia – A Fertilizer
Chem
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2.  Name – Ammonia
 Chemical name - Azane
 Structure – NH3
 Chemical properties
 Appearance: Colorless Gas
 Basicity: 4.75
 Boiling Point: 33.34 °C
 CAS Number : 7664-41-7
 ChEBI : 16134
 Density : 1.023 g/ml
 Dipole Moment:1.42 D
 EINECS Number: 231-635-3
 IUPAC Name:Azane
 Melting Point:77.73 °C
 Molar Mass : 17.03 g/mol
 Molecular Shape : Trigonal pyramid
 Solubility: Soluble
Chemical properties of ammonia

3.  Various applications of ammonia are -
 Ammonia is used manufacture of fertilizers such as ammonium
sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, and
urea.
 It is used in many alkaline cleansers, such as window and floor
cleaners.
 Ammonia is used as a refrigerant gas.
 Ammonia is used in manufacture of Nitric acid, which is used in
manufacture of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, dyes, fibres and
plastics, explosives, such as ammonium nitrate, trinitrotoluene
(TNT) and nitroglycerine.
 Ammonia is used in manufacture of cyanides, which are used to
manufacture synthetic polymers, such as nylon and acrylics,
extract gold from ore bodies.
 Ammonia neutralizes the nitrogen oxides pollutants emitted by
diesel engine by selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
Applications of ammonia–

4.  Ammonia is a strong, colorless gas. Poisoning may occur due to
inhalation. Ammonia is highly toxic. Normally blood ammonium
concentration is < 50 μmol /L, and an increase to only 100 μmol
/L can lead to disturbance of consciousness. A blood ammonium
concentration of 200 μmol /L is associated with coma and
convulsions.
 Inhalation – Inhalation causes head, ears, eyes, nose, throat,
facial and oral burns and ulcerations
 Respiration - Tachypnea, oxygen desaturation, stridor, drooling,
cough, wheezing, rhonchi, and decreased air entry.
 Central nervous system (CNS) - Loss of consciousness (if
exposure is massive)
 Ingestion of ammonia can produce the following symptoms:
 Ingestion – Ingestion can cause oropharyngeal, epigastric, and
retrosternal pain, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal
symptoms, with viscus perforation (perforation may occur up to
24-72 hours post ingestion)
 Ocular toxicity - Iritis, corneal edema, semi-dilated fixed pupil
and eventual cataract formation
Toxicity of Ammonia

5.  Ammonia is a hazardous chemical, hence necessary safety
measures should be taken to handle it. The personnel handling
ammonia should know its amounts, concentration and chemical
properties to prevent overexposure. Ammonia should be stored
in a cool, dry area away from incompatible materials such as
chlorine, acids, oxidizers, and metals.
 Use ammonia products and materials in well-ventilated areas.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), an
air-supplying respirator if you will be entering an area that has
high ammonia concentrations. If your workplace stores large
amounts of ammonia, make sure that “escape” respirators with
supplied air are available to you in case of an accidental release.
Know where these respirators are located and how to use them.
Inspect and maintain ammonia storage and processing
equipment to prevent leaks and exposures.
 IMPORTANT: Never mix ammonia with chlorine (bleach) because
the combination creates chloramines, an extremely toxic and
irritating gas
Safety Tips for handling ammonia

6.  Methods of preparation – Ammonia is widely manufactured by
Haber process. Follow the below link to read the process in detail
 http://www.worldofchemicals.com/442/chemistry-articles/
manufacturing-of-ammonia-by-habers-process.
html
 Manufacturers – PotashCorp, CF Industries, DYNO NOBEL,
Linde
 Largest manufacturing country/consuming country:
 Ammonia, urea from US imports are seeing a decline in imports
making it possibly to be an exporter to the emerging economies
of Asia Pacific and South America taking away the opportunities
of the Middle East producers.
 Market trends of ammonia –
 The growth rate in the ammonia production is expected to
increase by 2.7 per cent by 2015.
Marketing Trends of ammonia

7.  Manufacturing of ammonia byHaber process
 http://www.worldofchemicals.com/442/ch
emistry-articles/manufacturing-of-ammonia-
by-habers-process.html
 Chemical properties of ammonia
 http://www.worldofchemicals.com/chemicals/che
mical-properties/ammonia.html
 Manufacturers and suppliers of ammonia
 http://www.worldofchemicals.com/chemicals/che
mical-suppliers/ammonia.html
References