What Are the Major Uses of Ammonia in Fertilizers Refrigeration and Chemical Manufacturing
Ammonia is a colourless gas having a distinct odour. It consists of both nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. It is made naturally in both the human body and nature, such as in air, water, soil, and even in bacteria. Both ammonia and ammonium ions in the human body are important components of several metabolic processes. The human body produces ammonia when it breaks down foods that consist of protein into ammonia and amino acids. It then converts the ammonia to urea. It also plays a crucial role in manufacturing many different products that we use in our day to day lives.
Ammonium hydroxide, known typically as household ammonia, is an essential ingredient in our day to day household cleaning products. Ammonia makes for the building block for the ammonium nitrate fertilizer. It tends to release nitrogen which is a crucial nutrient in growing plants. In this article, we will learn about the properties of ammonia, liquid ammonia uses and the other uses of Ammonia.
Rainwater contains minor amounts of ammonia and ammonium salts, whereas volcanic districts include ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac) and ammonium sulphate.
To counteract excess acid, the kidneys release ammonia.
Physical Properties of Ammonia
Let us now discuss the physical properties of ammonia.
Chemical Properties of Ammonia
Let us now learn about the chemical properties of ammonia.
Ammonia is highly soluble in water. The NH3 aqueous solution is a weak base since OH- ions get formed.
NH3 + H20 → N4+ + OH-
Ammonium salts get formed when ammonia reacts with an acid.
ZnS04 + 2NH4OH (g) → Zn(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4
Uses of Ammonia
Now, let us take a look at the ammonia solution uses, ammonium carbonate uses, and ammonia gas uses.
1. Uses of Ammonia in Fertilizers
Around 90 per cent of the ammonia which is produced tends to get used up in fertilizers to help in sustaining the production of food for the population of the world. When food crops are produced naturally, it depletes the supplies of the soil nutrients. For maintaining the health of the crops, farmers depend on fertilizers for keeping their soils better and productive. Also, fertilizers tend to help in increasing the level of essential nutrients such as selenium, zinc and boron in the food crops.
2. Uses of Ammonia in several Household Cleaning Products
Ammonia is used as an ingredient or on its own in several household products used for cleaning many household surfaces such as sinks, toilets, tubs, tiles, kitchen countertops, etc. Ammonia is effective also in breaking down stains from vegetable oils, animal fats, or any sort of household grime or cooking grease. Since ammonia tends to evaporate faster, it is often used to clean glasses and, in turn, help in preventing streaking.
3. Uses of Ammonia in Industries and Manufacturing
Ammonia tends to absorb significant amounts of heat from its surroundings when it is used in the form of refrigerant and air-conditioning equipment.
Ammonia is also used in the purification of water supplies. It also acts as a building block for manufacturing many different kinds of products including fabrics, plastics, dyes, explosives, and pesticides.
Ammonia also has its use in the treatment of wastewater and waste, rubber, cold storage, paper and pulp, and in the industries of food and beverages in the form of a stabilizer, neutraliser, and acts as a nitrogen source. It also has its usage in the manufacturing of several pharmaceuticals.
FAQs on Uses of Ammonia in Industry Agriculture and Daily Life
1. What are the main uses of ammonia in chemistry and industry?
The main uses of ammonia (NH3) are in fertilizer production, manufacture of chemicals, refrigeration, and cleaning products. Ammonia is one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals in the world.
- Fertilizers: Used to make ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), and urea (CO(NH2)2).
- Nitric acid production: Oxidized in the Ostwald process to produce HNO3.
- Refrigeration: Used as refrigerant R-717 due to high latent heat of vaporization.
- Cleaning agents: Aqueous ammonia (NH3(aq)) dissolves grease and oils.
2. Why is ammonia used in fertilizers?
Ammonia is used in fertilizers because it is a rich source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen is required for the formation of proteins, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids in plants.
- Ammonia reacts with acids to form ammonium salts such as NH4NO3.
- It is also converted into urea, one of the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers.
- In soil, NH3 forms NH4+, which plants can absorb.
3. How is ammonia used in the production of nitric acid?
Ammonia is used to produce nitric acid through the Ostwald process, where NH3 is oxidized to form HNO3. The process occurs in three main steps:
- Step 1: 4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) → 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
- Step 2: 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
- Step 3: 3NO2(g) + H2O(l) → 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g)
4. What is the use of ammonia in refrigeration systems?
Ammonia is used as a refrigerant because it has a high latent heat of vaporization and excellent cooling efficiency. In refrigeration systems:
- Liquid NH3 absorbs heat and evaporates, producing cooling.
- It is compressed, condensed, and recycled in a closed system.
- It is known as refrigerant R-717.
5. How is ammonia used as a cleaning agent?
Aqueous ammonia (NH3(aq)) is used as a cleaning agent because it acts as a weak base that dissolves grease and oils. In water, ammonia forms:
- NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
6. What is the role of ammonia in the manufacture of explosives?
Ammonia is used in explosives mainly through the production of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). Ammonium nitrate is formed by neutralization:
- NH3(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq)
7. Can ammonia be used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibers?
Yes, ammonia is used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibers by serving as a precursor to nitrogen-containing compounds. For example:
- Used in producing urea-formaldehyde resins for plastics and adhesives.
- Helps in manufacturing nylon through intermediates like hexamethylenediamine.
- Used to produce acrylonitrile for synthetic fibers.
8. How is ammonia used in water treatment?
Ammonia is used in water treatment to form chloramines, which act as disinfectants. It reacts with chlorine in water:
- NH3(aq) + HOCl(aq) → NH2Cl(aq) + H2O(l)
9. What is the use of ammonia in laboratory chemistry?
In laboratory chemistry, ammonia is used as a complexing agent and weak base in qualitative analysis. Key uses include:
- Formation of deep blue complex with copper(II):
Cu2+(aq) + 4NH3(aq) → [Cu(NH3)4]2+(aq) - Precipitation of metal hydroxides due to OH- formation.
- Maintaining basic pH in buffer solutions.
10. What are the uses of liquid ammonia in organic chemistry?
Liquid ammonia is used as a solvent in organic chemistry because it dissolves alkali metals and supports reduction reactions. Important applications include:
- Birch reduction of aromatic compounds using Na/NH3(l).
- Preparation of sodium amide:
2Na(s) + 2NH3(l) → 2NaNH2(s) + H2(g) - Solvent for reactions requiring strongly basic conditions.
