Ammonia water or Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammonia water, also known as ammonium hydroxide or by other names such as aqueous ammonia solution, liquid ammonia, etc., has the chemical formula NH4OH. It is a solution of ammonia gas and water, existing as a clear liquid with a characteristic odor similar to ammonia gas. Ammonia gas is soluble in water up to 35% by mass. The concentration commonly used in industry is typically 20%–27%.
Ammonia water, or ammonium hydroxide, is a widely used chemical in various industries. For example, it’s used as an ingredient in cleaning agents, as a precursor in pharmaceutical and chemical production, to treat nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution from combustion in power plants, oil refineries, and petrochemical plants, and in the latex concentrate industry, ethanol production, wastewater treatment, and pH adjustment, among other uses.
Properties of Liquid Ammonia:
- Status: Clear, colorless liquid.
- Odor: Pungent ammonia odor.
- pH: 12 at 100 g/l, water at 20ºC.
- Melting point: -57.5ºC.
- Boiling point: 37.7ºC at 1.013 bar.
- Vacuum pressure: 0.483 bar at 20ºC.
- Density: 0.903 g/ml at 20ºC.
- Water solubility: Highly soluble in water at 20ºC.
Although ammonia gas dissolves well in water and mixes to form aqueous ammonia, the molecular bonds are unstable. Therefore, continuous ammonia vapor release is possible, potentially leading to pressure buildup within the container or a decrease in the concentration of aqueous ammonia.
Furthermore, aqueous ammonia is highly basic and corrosive, reacting with some metals such as iron, brass, and copper. Therefore, suitable materials for use with aqueous ammonia (e.g., storage tanks, pumps, pipes, fittings) should include stainless steel grade 304 or 316, or HDPE plastic tanks capable of withstanding the pressure from aqueous ammonia vapor.
Benefits of Liquid Ammonia:
It is a widely used chemical in various industrial plants, such as:
- As an ingredient in cleaning agents, window cleaners, hair dyes, etc.
- As a raw material in the production of pharmaceuticals or chemicals.
- Used to treat combustion pollutants in SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from combustion in the smokestacks of power plants, oil refineries, or petrochemical plants.
- Used in the latex and rubber industries to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, and to prevent coagulation of concentrated latex.
- Used in fermentation processes and pH adjustment, such as in ethanol production plants, MSG production plants, or certain types of meat processing.
- Used in wastewater treatment and pH adjustment by neutralizing or slightly alkaline industrial wastewater to help maintain the stability of microorganisms in the treatment pond.
Looking to purchase liquid ammonia for industrial use?
Thai Engineering Gas Co., Ltd. (TEG) is a distributor of liquid ammonia, or ammonium hydroxide, in various concentrations from 20% to 28%. It’s available in various containers such as 18-25 kg gallons, 180 kg cylinders, 900 kg IBCs, or delivered by 10-16 ton chemical trucks for easy filling into customer storage tanks. This provides convenience, reduces costs, and ensures the exact quantity meets customer needs.