What is the use of ammonia?
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more
40more
Daniel Martinez
Works at Facebook, Lives in Menlo Park, CA
Ammonia, with the chemical formula NH3, is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It is one of the most produced inorganic chemicals, and its uses are incredibly diverse, ranging from agriculture to industrial applications. Here are some of the key uses of ammonia:
1. Fertilizer Production: Ammonia is a crucial component in the production of nitrogenous fertilizers. Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, and ammonia is a primary source of this nutrient. When ammonia is converted into nitric acid (HNO3), it can be used to produce ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), which is a common ingredient in fertilizers.
2. Agricultural Use: Direct application of ammonia as a liquid (anhydrous ammonia) is also a common practice in agriculture. It is injected into the soil where it can be absorbed by plant roots and converted into forms that plants can use.
3. Industrial Applications: Beyond agriculture, ammonia is used in the synthesis of various chemicals. For example, it is a key ingredient in the production of nitric acid, which is not only used in fertilizers but also in the production of explosives, such as ammonium nitrate.
4. Cleaning Agents: Ammonia is a common component in household and industrial cleaning products due to its ability to dissolve many types of stains and its disinfectant properties. It is often found in glass cleaners, floor cleaners, and general-purpose cleaners.
5. Refrigeration: Ammonia is used as a refrigerant in large industrial refrigeration systems due to its high thermal efficiency and low toxicity.
6. Explosives: As mentioned, ammonia is a precursor to nitric acid, which is used in the production of explosives like ammonium nitrate. The combination of nitric acid with other compounds can create powerful explosives.
7.
Nitrification: In the nitrogen cycle, ammonia plays a vital role as it is converted into nitrate by nitrifying bacteria. This process is essential for making nitrogen available to plants in a form they can absorb.
8.
Fuel Cells: Ammonia is being researched as a potential fuel for fuel cells due to its high energy content and the fact that its only combustion product is water, making it a clean energy source.
9.
Preservation: In the food industry, ammonia is used in the curing process of certain meats, where it acts as a preservative and helps to maintain the meat's color.
10.
Laboratory Reagent: In laboratories, ammonia is used as a reagent in various chemical reactions and analytical processes.
1
1. Baking: Ammonium bicarbonate, also known as ammonium powder or baking ammonia, is used in the baking industry as a leavening agent.
1
2. Safety Applications: Ammonia solutions are used in safety airbags to rapidly inflate the bag in the event of a collision.
1
3. Emulsion Polymerization: In the production of synthetic rubber and plastics, ammonia is used in the emulsion polymerization process.
1
4. Textile Industry: Ammonia is used in the textile industry for processes such as dyeing, printing, and finishing.
1
5. Water Treatment: Ammonia is used in wastewater treatment to adjust the pH levels and to remove nitrogenous compounds.
Ammonia's versatility and importance in various industries make it a critical chemical in the modern world. Its ability to provide nitrogen, a vital nutrient for life, positions it as a cornerstone for agricultural and industrial processes.
1. Fertilizer Production: Ammonia is a crucial component in the production of nitrogenous fertilizers. Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, and ammonia is a primary source of this nutrient. When ammonia is converted into nitric acid (HNO3), it can be used to produce ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), which is a common ingredient in fertilizers.
2. Agricultural Use: Direct application of ammonia as a liquid (anhydrous ammonia) is also a common practice in agriculture. It is injected into the soil where it can be absorbed by plant roots and converted into forms that plants can use.
3. Industrial Applications: Beyond agriculture, ammonia is used in the synthesis of various chemicals. For example, it is a key ingredient in the production of nitric acid, which is not only used in fertilizers but also in the production of explosives, such as ammonium nitrate.
4. Cleaning Agents: Ammonia is a common component in household and industrial cleaning products due to its ability to dissolve many types of stains and its disinfectant properties. It is often found in glass cleaners, floor cleaners, and general-purpose cleaners.
5. Refrigeration: Ammonia is used as a refrigerant in large industrial refrigeration systems due to its high thermal efficiency and low toxicity.
6. Explosives: As mentioned, ammonia is a precursor to nitric acid, which is used in the production of explosives like ammonium nitrate. The combination of nitric acid with other compounds can create powerful explosives.
7.
Nitrification: In the nitrogen cycle, ammonia plays a vital role as it is converted into nitrate by nitrifying bacteria. This process is essential for making nitrogen available to plants in a form they can absorb.
8.
Fuel Cells: Ammonia is being researched as a potential fuel for fuel cells due to its high energy content and the fact that its only combustion product is water, making it a clean energy source.
9.
Preservation: In the food industry, ammonia is used in the curing process of certain meats, where it acts as a preservative and helps to maintain the meat's color.
10.
Laboratory Reagent: In laboratories, ammonia is used as a reagent in various chemical reactions and analytical processes.
1
1. Baking: Ammonium bicarbonate, also known as ammonium powder or baking ammonia, is used in the baking industry as a leavening agent.
1
2. Safety Applications: Ammonia solutions are used in safety airbags to rapidly inflate the bag in the event of a collision.
1
3. Emulsion Polymerization: In the production of synthetic rubber and plastics, ammonia is used in the emulsion polymerization process.
1
4. Textile Industry: Ammonia is used in the textile industry for processes such as dyeing, printing, and finishing.
1
5. Water Treatment: Ammonia is used in wastewater treatment to adjust the pH levels and to remove nitrogenous compounds.
Ammonia's versatility and importance in various industries make it a critical chemical in the modern world. Its ability to provide nitrogen, a vital nutrient for life, positions it as a cornerstone for agricultural and industrial processes.
2024-05-09 05:20:46
reply(1)
Helpful(1122)
Helpful
Helpful(2)
Studied at the University of Zurich, Lives in Zurich, Switzerland.
Some ammonia is converted into nitric acid which itself is used in the manufacture of fertilisers and explosives. Ammonia is also a useful ingredient in some cleaning fluids. Ammonia is a vital route by which nitrogen in the air can be made available to plants to enable them to build protein molecules.
2023-06-11 10:16:02
Isabella Patel
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Some ammonia is converted into nitric acid which itself is used in the manufacture of fertilisers and explosives. Ammonia is also a useful ingredient in some cleaning fluids. Ammonia is a vital route by which nitrogen in the air can be made available to plants to enable them to build protein molecules.
