Anhydrous Ammonia
Shaping the Future with Anhydrous Ammonia
With more than 75 years of experience as a pioneering innovator, Alexander Chemical provides top-quality anhydrous ammonia, expert guidance, and reliable delivery services. Safety and compliance are our top priorities.
Known for its nitrogen-rich composition and industrial versatility, anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) is foundational to processes that demand stability, precision, and chemical efficiency.
Alexander Chemical ensures ample inventory, consistent quality, and expert support.
Contact us today for more information!
Key Characteristics of Anhydrous Ammonia
- Chemical name: Anhydrous Ammonia
- Chemical Formula: NH₃
- Appearance: Clear Until it Interacts with Air, then White
- Odor: Strong, Pungent, & Suffocating – Easily Recognizable Even at Low Concentrations
- Solubility: Highly Soluble in Water – Forms Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH)
- Boiling Point: −33.34 °C (−28.01 °F)
- Storage Requirements:
- Stored under pressure in dedicated anhydrous ammonia tanks and cylinders that meet rigorous safety standards.
- Tanks and cylinders must be constructed from compatible materials and equipped with pressure relief valves.
- Ammonia should be stored away from heat sources and incompatible materials , such as acids or halogens.
Due to its corrosive and toxic nature, anhydrous ammonia required precise handling and regulatory compliance. Improper storage can result in severe health risks and equipment damage.
Our Anhydrous Ammonia Handling & Evacuation Services
Alexander Chemical provides full-service solutions for businesses that rely on anhydrous ammonia.
Our certified professionals offer:
- Safe delivery & filling of anhydrous ammonia cylinders at your facility.
- Evacuation and recovery of ammonia from returned or decommissioned cylinders.
- Routine inspections and compliance checks to ensure systems meet safety regulations.
- Consultative support to advise customers on proper handling, leak prevention, and emergency procedures.
What is Anhydrous Ammonia Used For?
Anhydrous ammonia is tailored for precision and performance, meeting the stringent demands of industries that shape the world’s infrastructure. At Alexander Chemical, we provide this specialized ammonia for a wide variety of applications:
Heat Treatment
Anhydrous ammonia is used in nitriding and carburizing processes, where it dissociates into nitrogen and hydrogen to strengthen metal surfaces, enhancing hardness and wear resistance for tools gears, and automotive parts.
Annealing
Annealing creates a protective atmosphere inn furnaces, preventing oxidation and ensuring metals like steel and copper retain their desired properties during shaping and softening.
Powder Metallurgy
Ammonia provides a controlled environment for sintering metal powders, enabling the production of high-strength components for aerospace and manufacturing.
Specialty Alloy Production
Critical in processing stainless steel and other alloys to maintain purity, and prevent unwanted reactions during high-temperature treatments.
Brazing and Sintering
From industrial machinery to precision electronics, ammon ia’s reducing properties ensure clean, strong joints in metal assemblies.
Refrigeration
Anhydrous ammonia is widely used in industrial refrigeration systems due to its high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Pollution Control Systems
Well known for its reduction of nitrogen oxide (Nox) emissions, anhydrous ammonia plays a significant role in pollution control systems.
More Facts About Anhydrous Ammonia
- It’s Colder Than Antarctica: When released from its pressurized liquid state, anhydrous ammonia rapidly expands and cools – reaching temperatures as low as -28° F (-33° C)
- Farmer’s Love It: It’s one of the most widely used fertilizers in the world. When injected into soil, it reacts with water to form ammonium (NH4+), a form that plats can easily absorb and convert into proteins and chlorophyll.
- It’s “Dry”, But Not Really: The word anhydrous literally means “without water”. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in its pure gas or liquified form with no water molecules attached, making it highly concentrated and extremely reactive with moisture – including the moisture in your eyes, skin, and lungs.
- It’s Lighter Than Air: With a molecular weight of 17 g/mol, ammonia gas is significantly lighter than air (average ~29 g/mol). This means that in open air leaks, it tends to rise and dissipate quickly, unlike heavier gases that settle and linger.
- It May be a Clue to Life Beyond Earth: NASA has detected ammonia in the atmosphere of Jupiter, Saturn, and even exoplanets. Because ammonia can form from biological processes, its presence is sometimes used as a potential biomarker in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Brief History of Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH₃), has been used industrially since the early 20th century.
The Haber-Bosch process, developed in the 1910s, enabled large-scale production of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, revolutionizing various industries.
Related FAQs on Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless, nitrogen- based product widely used in industrial cooling, chemical manufacturing, and other applications.
While it is not flammable under normal conditions, it can become combustible at high concentrations in specific environments, and must be contained properly to remain safe.
It is usually stored in pressurized tanks or cylinders designed to prevent leaks, and minimize moisture intrusion.