Ammonia is an inorganic compound formed by reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen. It has the molecular formula NH3. It is strongly soluble in water. Ammonia is the second-most produced in terms of quantity in the world after sulfuric acid. In this article, we will learn in detail about the applications of ammonia.
What are Uses of Ammonia in Daily Life
Ammonia is a colourless gas and has pungent smell. It is an environmental component that is usually present either in air, water, or soil in unrestricted form. In addition to this, it can be found in vegetables, animals, and human bodies.
Ammonia is a very important chemical that forms the building block of many products that we use for daily wide-scaling applications mentioned below:
- Ammonia in Industries
- Agriculture
- Household Products
- For Manufacturing Various Compounds
- Metal Treating
- Petroleum and Mining
Ammonia in Industries
Ammonia is widely used everywhere from the food, pharmaceutical, electronics, and chemical industries, to the textile industries such as yarn, fiber and fabric.
- It can be used as a neutralizer stabilizer and as a source of nitrogen.
- Ammonia is a chemical used in the aquaculture, leather, rubber, paper, food, and beverage industries.
- It also is used in cold storage, assists in refrigeration systems production, and therein pharmaceuticals.
- Ammonia is not only used in the printing and cosmetics industry but also in the dispersion of spray polyurethane foams, refrigeration, and fertilizer industries.
- In addition to this, it is also utilized in fermentation process.
Agriculture
The main industry that ammonia is leading to is Agriculture. Around 90% of ammonia used in industry is utilized in agricultural sector.
- Nitrogen is the main constituent of ammonia and this is the exact reason why it is utilized for fertilizers which help in food production, basically.
- It is further used in the manufacture of liquid fertilizer solution containing formulations by ammonium nitrate, salts, urea and others.
- Ammonia, being an antifungal agent used as preservative in some fruits
Household Products
The most well-known ingredient of the cleaning supplies is ammonia.
- Ammonia can be used in the cleaning of mirrors, tubs, sinks, windows and more.
- Another broad application of ammonia includes antimicrobial or an antiseptic agent, as well as a fuel.
For Manufacturing Various Compounds
Ammonia for many common compounds such as nitric acid, Hydrogen cyanide, Ammonium carbonate, Phenol, Urea, Amino acids and a lot of other compounds are made in the manufacturing process.
Metal Treating
Ammonia is used in the operations of carbo nitriding, nitriding, furnace brazing, atomic hydrogen welding, bright annealing, and other operations wherein nitrogen is an essential element.
Petroleum and Mining
Ammonia in the petroleum industry is used to neutralize the acid elements of oil that are in crude form. Similarly, it protects machinery from corrosion. Furthermore, ammonia is used by the mining industry to extract many metals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ammonia, a colorless gas with a pungent smell, is a naturally occurring product of the reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen. It is found to have multiple uses in most sectors like agriculture, household products, manufacturing, metal treating, petroleum, and mining. Moreover, it is an important part of various common compounds. Despite its value, excessive ammonia exposure may be detrimental to your health and the environment. It should be handled with care because of the risks it may entail.
Also, Check
FAQs on Applications of Ammonia in Daily Life
What are the harmful health effects of Ammonia?
Health issue related to Ammonia consists of eye and nose irritation, and the problem of respiratory system while inhaling it for a long time.
Is ammonia bad?
In high concentration, Ammonia can harm but usually is not dangerous in low concentration.
Is Ammonia dangerous to Plants?
High Ammonia levels are detrimental to the health of plants, causing leaf burn and suppression of growth.
Do ammonia in the water is a health hazard?
Yes, extreme levels of Ammonia in water may be dangerous since it can cause irritation and even affect aquatic animals.
Are ammonia present in the environment?
Ammonia is also present in the environment as a product of natural processes such as plant decay and industrial activities.