Some Facts about Ammonia

Ammonia is an inorganic chemical substance that is produced both by humans and by nature. Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound composed of nitrogen and hydrogen. Ammonia in its aqueous state is known as ammonium hydroxide. This inorganic substance has a pungent odour. Ammonia formulas is one of the most basic stable formula of these elements nitrogen and hydrogen and it is used in the manufacture of several commercially important nitrogen compounds. Around 80% of the ammonia is produced by the industries. 

Ammonia is widely utilised in refrigerant gas, to purify water, to make fertilizers, to make polymers, explosives, textiles, insecticides, dyes, and other compounds. It can be found in a variety of household and commercial cleaning solutions. Household cleaning solutions are made by combining ammonia gas and water and it contains between 5% and 10% ammonia. Ammonia solutions for industrial usage can have concentrations of up to 25% and are corrosive.

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound composed of hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia in its aqueous state is known as ammonium hydroxide. The ammonia formula is  NH₃. It emits a pungent odour. Ammonia formula is the most basic stable compound of these elements (hydrogen and nitrogen), and it is used in the manufacture of several commercially important nitrogen compounds.

Ammonia is essential to plant, animal, and human life. Ammonia can be easily found, it can be found in water, soil, and the air, and it provides plants and animals with much-needed nitrogen. The majority of ammonia present in our environment is caused by the natural breakdown of manure and dead plants and animals.

Properties of Ammonia

• Ammonia is an inorganic colourless compound, it has a very unpleasant smell with a terrible, stifling stench at room temperature.
• Ammonia is hygroscopic and is known as anhydrous ammonia in its pure state (as it readily absorbs moisture).
• Ammonia is corrosive in nature and shows alkaline characteristics.
• Ammonia gas easily dissolves in water, resulting in formation of ammonium hydroxide – a caustic solution and weak base.
• Under pressure, ammonia gas compresses easily and becomes a transparent liquid.
• Ammonia is typically carried in steel containers as a pressurised liquid.
• Ammonia is not very flammable, ammonia containers may explode when exposed to high heat.

Preparation of Ammonia

The Haber-Bosch process, which utilises the direct reaction of elemental hydrogen and elemental nitrogen. This process is the most common industrial way of manufacturing ammonia. 

 N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃

Thus, the ammonia formula is obtained in the Haber-Bosch process.

Ammonia is easily made in the laboratory by heating an ammonium salt like ammonium chloride NH4Cl, with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. 

2NH₄Cl + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCl₂ + 2H₂O + 2NH₃(g)

Thus, the ammonia formula in gaseous form  is obtained in this process.

Warming concentrated ammonium hydroxide can also result in the production of gas.

Uses of Ammonia

About 80% of the ammonia produced by industries is used as fertiliser in agriculture. Ammonia is also utilised as a refrigerant gas, to purify water, and to make polymers, ferilizers, explosives, textiles, insecticides, dyes, and other compounds. It can be found easily in a variety of household and commercial cleaning solutions. Household cleaning solutions are made by combining ammonia gas and water, and can include between 5% and 10% ammonia. Ammonia solutions for industrial usage can have concentrations of up to 25% and are corrosive in nature.

Ammonia in Industrial/Manufacturing Uses

Ammonia, when employed as refrigerant gas and in air-conditioning equipment, can absorb a significant amount of heat from its surroundings.

Ammonia can be used to purify water and as a building ingredient in the production of a variety of products such as polymers, explosives, textiles, insecticides and dyes.

Ammonia is also utilised as a stabiliser, neutralizer, and nitrogen source in the waste and wastewater treatment, rubber, cold storage, pulp and paper, and food and beverage sectors. It is also used in the production of medications.

Fertilizer containing Ammonia 

Ammonia is a key component of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, which releases nitrogen, which is essential for the growth of plants including farm crops and lawns. Approximately 90% of the ammonia produced globally is used in fertiliser, which aids in the production of food for billions of people throughout the world. Soil nutrient resources are depleted naturally as a result of food crop production. Fertiliser is used by farmers to make their soils productive so that they can grow healthy harvests. Fertilizers can also help increase the levels of important nutrients like zinc, boron, and selenium in food crops.

Household Cleaning Products Containing Ammonia

Ammonium hydroxide, often known as home ammonia, is a prominent ingredient in many household cleaning solutions that are used to clean a wide range of surfaces such as tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops, and tiles. Ammonia is also useful for removing domestic filth or stains caused by animal fats or vegetable oils, such as cooking grease and wine stains. Ammonia is widely used in glass cleaning solutions to assist reduce streaks because it dissipates quickly.

Conclusion

As discussed earlier, Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound composed of hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia in its aqueous state is known as ammonium hydroxide. It emits a pungent odour. It is the most basic stable compound of these elements, and it is used as a starting material in the manufacture of several commercially important nitrogen compounds. Around 80% of the ammonia produced by industry is used as fertiliser in agriculture. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, to purify water, and to make polymers, explosives, insecticides,  textiles, dyes and other compounds. It can be found in a variety of household and commercial cleaning solutions. Household ammonia cleaning solutions are made by combining ammonia gas and water and can include between 5 and 10% ammonia. Ammonia solutions for industrial usage can have concentrations of up to 25% and are corrosive.