What are the uses of liquid ammonia?
Liquid ammonia, specifically anhydrous ammonia, is a versatile chemical with a wide range of industrial and agricultural applications.
Liquid ammonia serves numerous purposes across various sectors. The primary application, according to industry data, is in agriculture.
- Agriculture as Fertilizer: A significant portion of the ammonia produced globally, approximately 80%, is used in agriculture as fertilizer. Liquid ammonia (often as anhydrous ammonia) is a highly concentrated nitrogen source essential for plant growth, significantly boosting crop yields.
- Refrigeration: Ammonia is an effective refrigerant gas and is used in large-scale refrigeration systems, particularly in industrial settings and cold storage facilities. Its excellent thermodynamic properties make it suitable for cooling applications.
- Water Purification: Ammonia is utilized in the purification of water supplies, often as chloramine, which is formed when ammonia is added to chlorinated water. Chloramines help maintain disinfection in the distribution system.
- Manufacturing: Liquid ammonia is a crucial building block in the manufacture of a wide variety of products. This includes:
- Plastics: Used in the production of synthetic polymers.
- Explosives: A key ingredient in the production of explosives like ammonium nitrate.
- Textiles: Used in the production of synthetic fibers like nylon.
- Pesticides: An intermediate in the synthesis of various pesticides.
- Dyes: Employed in the production of various dyes.
- Other Chemicals: Serves as a raw material or catalyst in the synthesis of numerous other industrial chemicals.
These diverse applications highlight liquid ammonia's importance in modern industry and agriculture.
