Anhydrous Ammonia Fertilizers

Anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) is a highly flammable and toxic alkaline gas. Anhydrous ammonia is basically stored as a liquefied gas at vapor pressure of 116.7 psig (pound-force per square inch gauge) at the temperature of about 21⁰C. It is highly flammable and contact with anhydrous ammonia can cause burning of eyes and the mucous membrane. It is one of the highly used inorganic chemical today. Basically, ammonia that is used for commercial purposes is called anhydrous ammonia. According to a recent study conducted by the United States Geological Survey, worldwide production of ammonia is more than 100 million metric tons. Today anhydrous ammonia fertilizers are on a huge demand as well.

Anhydrous Ammonia Uses

• Anhydrous ammonia is one of the oldest known commercial refrigerants. Its most extensive use is in the field of agriculture, by means of fertilization. More than 80% of the total usage of anhydrous ammonia is done as a substitute of nitrogen.
• It is also used for several metal treating operations like sintering, nitriding, furnace brazing, etc. Gun powder and sulfuric acid contains anhydrous ammonia as a main component.
• By following several appropriate regulations, it is transported in cylinders in form of liquefied compressed gas, insulated and uninsulated tank cars, tankers, barges, etc.

Fertilizers
Ammonia is produced by the Haber process, in which ammonia and nitrogen are combined in the absence of water components. Ammonia is also obtained by another process, called calcium cyanamide process. In this process ammonia can directly be obtained by carbon, nitrogen, limestone and steam as well. Anhydrous ammonia is also obtained by performing destructive distillation of coal. In the agricultural industry, anhydrous ammonia fertilizers are used because it is supposedly the low cost and high efficient source of fertilizers that are nitrogen based.

Anhydrous ammonia is low cost and it uses only about 1% of the man-made power while formation. This is also the reason why it plays a vital role in regulation the energy budget of the world. Statistics say that more than 80% of the anhydrous ammonia fertilizers are used, all over the world. It is used as the salt of the ammonia or in the form of its solution. It is highly efficient and hence it is highly used and commercialized as well. Today, these fertilizers are available in special applicators that are easy to handle and very beneficial for the plants and farms. This applicator comes with a knife that removes all the debris, surrounding the plant roots, which makes fertilization much easier.

Along with the benefits, there are several disadvantages as well. Ammonia for that matter, if left open (if gets in contact with the open air), can be very hazardous to the human health. There are many complications that can result if the human body comes in contact with the anhydrous ammonia fertilizers. Another threat is the theft of these fertilizers. It can be very useful in the production of an illegal drug called methamphetamine. It is a highly addictive nervous stimulant that can be produced using anhydrous ammonia. Since these fertilizers are easily available at any agricultural farm, there are many registered cases of theft.

Protecting anhydrous ammonia fertilizers for their natural and intended purpose is very important for the betterment of the agriculture and the human lives as well.