What is anhydrous ammonia used for?

What is Anhydrous Ammonia? Anhydrous Ammonia is a common fertilizer used on farms around the world due to its easy application and availability. It is primarily used as a fertilizer source of nitrogen which assists with both plant growth and mold control.

What’s the difference between ammonia and anhydrous ammonia?

Household ammonia is a diluted water solution containing 5 to 10 percent ammonia. On the other hand, anhydrous ammonia is essentially pure (over 99 percent) ammonia. “Anhydrous” is a Greek word meaning “without water;” therefore, anhydrous ammonia in ammonia without water.

How toxic is anhydrous ammonia?

Anhydrous ammonia can cause pulmonary toxicity. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can be fatal at doses greater than 5,000 parts per million. Early inspection of the upper respiratory tract and securing an airway are lifesaving. Management is supportive with oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

Do farmers still use anhydrous ammonia?

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.

Is anhydrous ammonia bad for soil?

If applied properly, anhydrous ammonia continues to be an excellent source of nitrogen. There is not research to suggest that this product has a negative effect on soil properties.

Is anhydrous ammonia used as fertilizer?

Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an efficient and widely used source of nitrogen fertilizer. It is relatively easy to apply and is readily available to producers.

Why is anhydrous ammonia so expensive?

The price of nitrogen fertilizers is directly related to the price of natural gas (methane). Manufacturing 1 ton of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer requires 33,500 cubic feet of natural gas. This cost represents most of the costs associated with manufacturing anhydrous ammonia. Nitrogen is all around us.

What happens when anhydrous ammonia is mixed with water?

When anhydrous ammonia comes in contact with water, it forms an alkali that chemically burns animal tissue. The chemical burns into the body tissue unless it is diluted by large quantities of water.

What happens when ammonia mixes with water?

Ammonia gas dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a caustic solution and weak base. Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear liquid under pressure.

Why do farmers spray anhydrous ammonia on their fields?

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. Anhydrous ammonia also is used to add non-protein nitrogen to corn silage.

How long does anhydrous stay in the soil?

Depending on soil temperature, pH, and soil moisture content, it can take 2-3 months or more to convert all the ammonia applied in late summer/early fall to nitrate.

How do farmers apply anhydrous ammonia?

Farmers store and transport anhydrous ammonia in liquid form in pressurized tanks. Using an anhydrous applicator pulled by a tractor, the high-pressure liquid converts to a liquid-gas mixture as the pressure drops while traveling from the tank to the knife outlet on the applicator.

What is anhydrous ammonia and is it dangerous?

Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an effective nitrogen fertilizer used extensively on field-corn acreage in the Midwest. Exposure to anhydrous ammonia is very dangerous because the gas is a hygroscopic compound that seeks moisture from the nearest source, which can be the moisture-laden tissue of the human body.

What is the difference between aqueous and anhydrous ammonia?

Sometimes, the term anhydrous is used to describe the gaseous phase of a compound. For example, anhydrous ammonia is gaseous ammonia. This is to distinguish it from its aqueous solution. However, the compound has no water molecules.

What are the physical properties of anhydrous ammonia?

Some chemical/physical properties of ammonia are: • At room temperature, ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. • In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia and is hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture).

What ammonia level is safe?

Here are the safe levels for fish. Ammonia 0ppm but fish can handle .5-1 ppm for a short duration. Nitrite 0ppm but can handle 1.5 ppm or so for short periods. Nitrates 40 and under is alright but can handle 60-80 range for short periods.