Addressing Ammonia Risks

Ammonia, mainly used as a fertilizer or refrigerant, is emerging as one of the most promising green energy  enablers  with its potential to serve as an important intermediary in the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen.

Ammonia is transported more easily than hydrogen, requiring a -22^oF temperature (as opposed to -418^oF); it also already has an established transport and storage network. Presently, most ammonia production isn’t “green;” in fact, global ammonia production accounts for 1.3% of energy-related CO₂ emissions.  That is changing, however, with significant investments being made in green ammonia production.

While green ammonia holds promise in fueling the hydrogen economy, it is highly toxic, corrosive and flammable - it can even be explosive when mixed with air at high temperatures. The release of ammonia can displace oxygen in improperly vented confined spaces, leading to asphyxiation. Although ammonia’s distinctive smell makes it easy to identify, accurate detection of ammonia levels and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) are necessary to help ensure safety. 

Dräger’s industrial safety consulting  experts are here to help you safely deploy  your Clean Energy Safety strategy with portable gas detectors, gas detection tubes,  and PPE, including full face respirators. 

Find the right products for your ammonia challenges.