The catalytic oxidation of ammonia is an exothermic reaction, and the product is NO, which is an important reaction for the industrial production of nitric acid, provided that the catalyst is at a high temperature:

In addition, it can be reduced in the following reactions:

Reaction with water

Ammonia is very easily soluble in water. When dissolved in water, it reacts with water to form ammonia monohydrate, commonly known as ammonia. The concentration of commercially available ammonia is 25% to 28%. Ammonia is weakly alkaline because of the ionization in water:

Ammonia makes the phenolphthalein solution red and the wet red litmus paper turns blue.

Reaction with metal

NH ₃ can also complex with metal ions such as Ag, Cu, etc. to form complexes:

Reaction with acid

Ammonia can react with acids to form ammonium salts, such as:

Ammonia reacts with volatile acids (nitric acid, hydrochloric acid) to emit white smoke. These reactions can be used to check the presence of ammonia.

Physical properties

 (1) Colorless and Irritating odor gas

Ammonia has a stimulating effect on the eyes, nose, and throat of the human body. Inhalation of a large amount of ammonia can cause short-term nasal congestion and cause suffocation. Eye contact is prone to tears. Be careful when contacting. 

In case of accidental exposure to excessive ammonia, inhale fresh air and water in time, and flush eyes with plenty of water.

(2) Density is lower than air

The density of ammonia is 0.771g / L (under standard conditions)

(3) Low boiling point

Ammonia is very easy to liquefy, and it is cooled to -33.34°C under normal pressure or pressurized to 700KPa to 800KPa at normal temperature, and gaseous ammonia liquefies into a colorless liquid, and at the same time emits a lot of heat. 

Liquid ammonia absorbs a large amount of heat during vaporization, which causes the temperature of surrounding substances to drop sharply, so ammonia is often used as a refrigerant. Some old-fashioned popsicles were made from ammonia

(4) Easily soluble in water

Ammonia is very soluble in water. At normal temperature and pressure, 1 volume of water can dissolve about 700 volumes of ammonia.

Fountain Experiment of Ammonia

Fill a 250ml flask with ammonia and place it in a phenolphthalein solution tank. You will see a red fountain.　　

The Main Purpose

The main uses of ammonia are nitrogen fertilizers, refrigerants, and chemical raw materials.

The inorganic aspect is mainly used for ammonia water, liquid ammonia, nitrogen fertilizer (urea, ammonium carbonate, etc.), nitric acid, ammonium salt, soda ash.

Organic is widely used in synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes, urea, etc.

Ammonia Poisoning

In the production, transportation, storage and use of ammonia, if the pipelines, valves, storage tanks are damaged, leakage of ammonia can cause poisoning. Ammonia has irritating and corrosive effects on the skin and mucous membranes.

High concentrations can cause serious consequences, such as chemical laryngitis, chemical pneumonia, etc. Inhalation of very high concentrations can cause reflex respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of ammonia poisoning

Ammonia meets water in human tissues to produce ammonia water, which can dissolve tissue proteins and play a role in saponification with fat. Ammonia can destroy the activities of various enzymes in the body and affect tissue metabolism. Ammonia has a strong stimulating effect on the central nervous system.

1. Ammonia is strongly irritating. Inhalation of high concentrations of ammonia, ammonia poisoning mainly inhibits the central nervous system. Under normal circumstances, the central nervous system can inhibit the peripheral low-level central nervous system, and the central nervous system is inhibited, making it an inhibitory effect on the peripheral low-level central nervous system.

Weakened or even disappeared, and thus the peripheral low-level center was excited. Causes convulsions, convulsions, lethargy and coma. Inhalation of extremely high concentrations of ammonia can cause cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest reflexively.

2. Ammonia-based alkaline substances, ammonia water has a strong corrosive effect. Alkaline burns are more serious than acidic burns, because alkaline materials have strong penetrability, and ammonia water burns on the skin are deep, susceptible to infection, and difficult to heal, similar to 2nd-degree burns.

3. Ammonia is inhaled into the airways to meet with water to form ammonia water. Ammonia can penetrate into the submucosa, interstitial lungs, and capillaries through the mucosa, alveolar epithelium, and cause:

(1) Vocal cord spasm, edema of the throat, and tissue necrosis. Necrosis can cause suffocation. Damaged mucosa is susceptible to a secondary infection.

(2) Trachea and bronchial mucosal damage, edema, bleeding, spasm, etc. Affect the ventilation function of the bronchi.

(3) Alveolar epithelial cells, pulmonary interstitial, and pulmonary capillary endothelial cells are damaged, permeability is enhanced, and pulmonary interstitial edema. 

Ammonia stimulates sympathetic nerve excitement, causes common lymphatic spasm, obstructs lymphatic reflux, and increases pulmonary capillary pressure. Ammonia destroys alveolar surfactants. These effects eventually lead to pulmonary edema.

(4) Mucosal edema, increased secretion of inflammation, pulmonary edema, decreased alveolar surfactants, and narrowing of the trachea and bronchial lumen severely affect the ventilation and ventilation functions of the lungs, causing systemic hypoxia.

The harm of ammonia to people

No harm to the human body: concentration 0.7mg/m³, Feel odor; concentration 9.8mg/m³, No stimulating effect, concentration 67.2 mg/m³, Nasopharyngeal part has irritation, eyes have a burning sensation.

Minor injuries: concentration 70 mg/m³ Breathing slows down, concentration 140 mg/m³, Nasal, and upper respiratory tract discomfort, nausea, headache.

Medium hazard: concentration 140 ~ 210 mg/m³, the body has obvious discomfort, but can work; concentration 175 ~ 350 mg/m³, Nasal eye irritation, breathing and pulse acceleration.

Severe hazard: concentration 553 mg/m³, Strong stimulation, can withstand 1.25min; concentration 700 mg/m³, Immediately cough; concentration 1750 ~ 3500 mg/m³, Life-threatening; concentration 3500 ~ 7000 mg/m³, Die instantly.

Clinical manifestations of ammonia poisoning

Mild poisoning: pungent sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, tearing, coughing, sneezing, sputum, blood coughing, chest tightness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue (liquid ammonia splashed into the eyes, the eyelids should be opened immediately to allow ammonia to flow out, And clean with water in time.) Clinical examination showed conjunctive, nasal, and pharyngeal mucosa congestion, audible and dry sounds in the lungs.

Severe poisoning: pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, throat edema, laryngospasm, suffocation, and life-threatening if not rescued in time (compressive artificial respiration is strictly prohibited during the rescue).

Routine treatment of hazards

1. Quickly leave the poisoning scene and breathe fresh air or oxygen. Respiratory stimulants may be used when breathing is shallow or slow. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed immediately for those who have stopped breathing or heartbeat. It should not be easily abandoned. Laryngeal spasm and vocal cord edema should be intubated or tracheotomy quickly.

2. Remove clothing and thoroughly wash ammonia-exposed skin with water or 1% to 3% boric acid water. Rinse the eyes with 1% to 3% boric acid water, and then order antibiotics and cortisone eye drops.

3. Intravenous 10% glucose solution, calcium gluconate, adrenocortical hormones, antibiotics, to prevent infection and edema of the throat.

4. Nebulized inhaled flumesol, antibiotic solution.

5. Patients with coma use a 250% 20% mannitol intravenous injection, once every 6 to 8 hours, to reduce intracranial pressure.

Accidental release measures

⑴ A small amount of leakage.

All personnel in the evacuation area. Prevent inhalation of vapors and contact with liquids or gases. Disposal personnel should use respirators. Prohibit access to confined spaces where ammonia may collect and increase ventilation. 

Plugging can only be done under conditions of safety. Leaked containers should be transferred to a safe area and the valve should only be opened to relieve pressure if safety is ensured. ammonia formula

Leaks can be collected and absorbed with inert absorbent materials such as sand and vermiculite. Collected spills should be placed in sealed, appropriately labeled containers for disposal.

⑵ Lots of leaks.

Evacuate all unprotected personnel on the premises and move upwind. Spill personnel should wear fully-enclosed heavy chemical protective clothing, wear air respirators, and after taking personal protective measures, dilute the leakage area with spray water. Through the dilution of the water gun, the ammonia on the site is gradually dispersed, and the leak point is blocked with a non-sparking tool.

It is forbidden to contact or cross the leaked liquid ammonia, prevent the leakage from entering the sewers and drainage channels, and enhance ventilation. Smoking and naked flames are prohibited on the premises. 

When safety is ensured, the leaking container should be blocked or turned over to avoid leakage of liquid ammonia. Spray water to suppress the flow of steam or change the direction of the vapor cloud, but it is prohibited to directly impact the leaked liquid ammonia or the source of the leak. 

Prevent leaks from entering water bodies, sewers, basements or confined spaces. Do not enter restricted spaces where ammonia can collect. After cleaning, decontaminate all protective clothing and equipment before storing and reusing.

Fire Emergency Measures

During storage and transportation, if a fire occurs, the following measures should be taken:

1)Alarm: promptly report to local 119 fire and government. The contents of the alarm should include. the accident unit, the time, place, chemical name, and degree of danger of the accident, whether there were any casualties, and the name and telephone number of the alarm person.

2) Isolate, evacuate, and transfer distressed people to a safe area, establish a warning zone of about 500m, and implement traffic control on the main road leading to the accident site. Except for firefighters and emergency response personnel, other personnel is prohibited from entering the warning zone and quickly evacuated. Unrelated persons.

3) Firefighters should wear chemical protective clothing and positive pressure breathing apparatus before entering the fire. Ammonia easily penetrates clothing and is easily soluble in water. Firefighters should pay attention to the parts that sweat a lot, such as reproductive organs, underarms, and anus.

4) Use dry powder or CO₂ fire extinguisher in small fires, water curtain, mist water or conventional foam in large fires.

5) Never spray water directly on leaks or safety valves to prevent freezing.

6) when the safety valve makes a sound or changes color, evacuate as soon as possible and do not stay at both ends of the storage tank.

Occupational Hazard Prevention Measures for Ammonia

(1) Ammonia workers should undergo a pre-operation physical examination. People with severe chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, and coronary heart disease should not engage in ammonia operations. ammonia formula

(2) Corrosion-resistant work clothes, alkali-proof gloves, glasses, rubber shoes, and copper sulfate or zinc sulfate gas respirators should be selected for work. The gas respirators should be checked regularly to prevent failure. ammonia formula

(3) When using ammonia water for operation, put a basin of clear water beside the operator, just in case, during the transportation of ammonia water, carry 2 to 3 kettles filled with 3% boric acid solution for emergency flushing, When preparing a certain concentration of ammonia water, wear goggles, when using ammonia water, the operator should be on the wind to prevent ammonia from irritating the face; do not rub the eyes with hands during operation, and wash hands after operation.

(4) To prevent skin contamination, 5% boric acid ointment can be used.

(5) Equipped with good ventilation and exhaust facilities, suitable explosion-proof, fire extinguishing devices. ammonia formula

(6) For emergency rescue, you must wear an air respirator.

(7) Strengthen the sealing and automation of the production process to prevent running, running, dripping and leaking. ammonia formula

(8) Installed ammonia monitor on-site to report to the police in time.

Know more about ammonia:-

The Facts about Ammonia

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ammonia