How do you manufacture anhydrous ammonia?
Anhydrous ammonia is prepared commercially from natural gas, air and steam. Remove the sulfur from natural gas with hydrogen to produce hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct. Remove the hydrogen sulfide by passing this gas mixture through beds of zinc oxide.
Is anhydrous ammonia considered hazardous material?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) rates anhydrous ammonia as a 3 (on a scale of 4) – a most severe toxic health hazard and as a 1 (on a scale of 4) – a flammable gas. There is an extensive history of catastrophic releases of NH(3) in the nations workplaces resulting in severe injuries and death.
Who regulates anhydrous ammonia?
The USDOT regulates anhydrous ammonia as a Hazard Zone D inhalation hazard (49 CFR 173.116 (a)). Hazard Zone D materials have a lethal concentration (LC 50 ) greater than 3000 parts per million and less than or equal to 5000 parts per million.
What industries use anhydrous ammonia?
It is used in the production of fertilizers, explosives and polymers. Additional applications include DeNOx (pollution control), heat treatment, water treatment, chemical processing, and refrigeration uses.
How much ammonia is produced annually?
about 176 million tonnes per year
Current global ammonia production is about 176 million tonnes per year and is predominantly achieved through the steam reforming of methane to produce hydrogen to feed into ammonia synthesis via the Haber Bosch process (see Chapter 1).
How do you synthesize ammonia?
CO + 3 H2 → CH4 + H2O. To produce the desired end-product ammonia, the hydrogen is then catalytically reacted with nitrogen (derived from process air) to form anhydrous liquid ammonia. This step is known as the ammonia synthesis loop (also referred to as the Haber-Bosch process): 3 H2 + N2 → 2 NH.
Is liquid anhydrous ammonia flammable?
Ammonium hydroxide is very volatile and may release anhydrous ammonia as a gas. Ammonia vapor, in concentrations of 16-25% volume by weight in air, is flammable, toxic by inhalation and corrosive.
What is the flammable range of anhydrous ammonia?
16% to 25%
Anhydrous Ammonia: (SDS) Safety Data Sheet
| APPEARANCE AND ODOR: | Colorless liquid or gas with a pungent odor. Odor threshold 2-5 ppm. |
|---|---|
| MOLECULAR WEIGHT: | 17.03 (NH3) |
| FLAMMABILITY | |
| FLASHPOINT: | None |
| FLAMMABLE LIMITS OF VAPOR IN AIR: | LEL/UEL 16% to 25% (listed in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards 15% to 28%). |
What pressure is anhydrous ammonia stored at?
250 pounds per square inch
Pressure for Storage Retail storage tanks and nurse tanks for anhydrous ammonia are built to withstand internal pressures of at least 250 pounds per square inch (psi). Terminal storage tanks refrigerate ammonia to minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the storage pressure is less than 1 psi.
What do farmers use anhydrous ammonia for?
In addition to its use as a nitrogen fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia has other purposes on the farm. It has been used with high-moisture grains to control mold growth. When using it with grain, use the same precautions that you use when applying it as fertilizer.
What are the requirements for anhydrous ammonia facilities?
Facilities having more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia must develop a hazard assessment, a prevention program, an emergency response program, and submit a risk management plan to EPA.
What is the accident prevention and response manual for anhydrous ammonia?
Accident Prevention and Response Manual for Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System Operators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 CHAPTER 3 – PREVENTING ACCIDENTS Page 3.6 Install, Maintain, and Inspect Ammonia Detector Systems IIAR 2 requires at least two (2) ammonia detectors in the machinery room to monitor for leaks.
What are the laws and regulations for ammonia refrigeration?
The provisions of some of these laws are summarized below. 2.1.1 OSHA Requirements Ammonia refrigeration systems with 10,000 pounds (approximately 2000 gallons) or more of ammonia are a covered process subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard [
Are anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems safe?
They also can minimize the consequences associated with future releases and make anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems and operations safer for everyone. Section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act established an independent safety board known as the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (the “Chemical Safety Board”).