Ammonia - Renewable Energy | Zero Carbon Fuel

Exposure to ammonia vapours can cause irritation and damage to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. In higher concentrations, ammonia can be fatal. To ensure the safety of workers, appropriate protective measures must be taken, such as gas detectors, personal protective equipment, or ventilation systems.

Ammonia is a flammable gas that can be ignited between 14% by volume (lower explosion limit) and 32.5% by volume (upper explosion limit). Spontaneous ignition occurs at 630°C in the presence of sufficient oxygen.

Ammonia is corrosive as it extracts water from its surroundings, creating alkalinity at the points of contact. This can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns and damage to the respiratory tract.

Liquid ammonia is often stored in a cold or cryogenic state. Therefore, when handling ammonia, leaks or cold surfaces can lead to frostbite or cold burns. Therefore, when selecting protective equipment, particular attention must be paid to the resistance of materials such as protective clothing.

Ammonia is highly soluble in water, depending on temperature and partial pressure. Ammonia water poses a long-term danger to aquatic organisms and their environment. Therefore, leaking or spilling ammonia must be avoided at all costs, especially during maritime transport.

Ammonia is lighter than air and rises typically. However, when used as a refrigerant, cryogenic NH3 tends to sink when it escapes. Humid conditions can also lead to the formation of ammonia vapour, which is heavier than air. The optimal location of gas detection equipment must be considered case-by-case.