Ammonium Hydroxide Liquid
Ammonium Hydroxide (Aqua Ammonia) Producer
Ammonium Hydroxide, also known as Aqua Ammonia, is a versatile alkaline solution (typically 19–29% NH₃) essential for pH adjustment, cleaning, fertilizer production, and chemical manufacturing. Its ability to provide readily available nitrogen and act as a mild base makes it indispensable across industries. With more than 75 years of experience as a pioneering innovator, Alexander Chemical both produces and delivers premium Ammonium Hydroxide with expert technical guidance and reliable bulk delivery services. Safety and compliance are our top priorities.
Key Characteristics of Ammonium Hydroxide
Chemical Properties
- Ammonium Hydroxide Formula: NH₄OH (aqueous solution of NH₃)
- Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
- Odor: Pungent, ammonia-like
- Solubility: Miscible with water
- Boiling Point: Varies with concentration (approx. 38°C for 28% solution)
- Concentration Range: Typically 19–29% NH₃
Storage & Handling Requirements
- Store in cool, well-ventilated areas in compatible tanks — HDPE or stainless steel
- Pressure relief systems required due to volatility
- Keep away from acids, oxidizers, and ignition sources
Ammonium Hydroxide is a hazardous material. Strongly alkaline and volatile — requires secure, well-ventilated storage and professional handling. Mishandling can lead to serious safety and environmental risks. Always rely on certified professionals for storage, handling, and transportation.
What are the Uses of Ammonium Hydroxide?
Ammonium Hydroxide is one of the most broadly applied industrial alkaline solutions in the world. Its dual function as a nitrogen source and a mild base makes it essential across a wide range of industries and processes.
Water & Wastewater Treatment
One of the primary industrial applications for liquid ammonium hydroxide is pH adjustment in municipal drinking water and industrial wastewater systems. It is also used to form chloramines as part of secondary disinfection — a process that provides a longer-lasting residual disinfectant compared to free chlorine. It helps maintain balanced water chemistry and reduce pipe corrosion.
Fertilizer Production
Ammonium Hydroxide serves as a primary source of nitrogen in liquid fertilizer formulations. Its high nitrogen availability makes it critical to modern agriculture, supporting crop yields that sustain populations at scale. It is a key feedstock in the production of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and other nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Cleaning & Sanitation
Ammonium Hydroxide is the active alkaline agent in many household and industrial cleaners, particularly those marketed as “ammonia-based” products. Its grease-cutting and surface-penetrating properties make it highly effective for glass, surfaces, and industrial equipment. It is also used as a sanitation agent in food processing environments where permitted.
Chemical Manufacturing
As an alkaline precursor, Ammonium Hydroxide is used in the synthesis of a wide range of chemical products including nitrates, plastics, rayon, rubber, and pharmaceuticals. It also plays a role in the production of dyes and is used as a pH buffering agent in numerous industrial chemical processes.
Food Processing
In food processing applications, ammonium hydroxide is approved by the FDA as a pH control agent and leavening agent. It is used in baking, dairy processing, and certain meat processing applications to control acidity and improve safety.
Other Industrial Applications
- Textile manufacturing (pH adjustment and fiber processing)
- Printed circuit board etching
- Rubber vulcanization
- Ice rink surface preparation (synthetic ice)
Bulk Ammonium Hydroxide Delivery & Support Services
The professionals at Alexander Chemical bring decades of experience and expertise to managing Ammonium Hydroxide with precision and care. We produce, supply, and deliver to municipal utilities, industrial facilities, and specialty operations across the country.
What We Offer
- Supplying and delivering Ammonium Hydroxide in bulk tankers, totes, or drums tailored to your specific requirements
- On-site technical support for optimal pH control, dosing, and application
- Regulatory compliance guidance and safety training, including spill response protocols
- Regular tank inspections and maintenance recommendations
- Custom concentrations available to meet your specific process requirements
A Brief History of Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammonia-derived compounds have been known since antiquity — ancient Egyptians encountered them near the temples of Amun at Siwa, from which the word “ammonia” is derived. Early alchemists produced ammonia solutions by distilling animal horn and hooves, calling the result “spirit of hartshorn.” The first isolation of pure ammonia gas is credited to Joseph Priestley in 1774. Industrial-scale production remained limited until the landmark development of the Haber-Bosch process in 1913, which synthesizes ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen under high pressure. This breakthrough enabled large-scale, affordable production of ammonium hydroxide and nitrogen-based fertilizers, fueling the agricultural productivity that supports the modern world’s population. Today, ammonium hydroxide remains a foundational industrial chemical produced and consumed in enormous quantities worldwide.
Ammonium Hydroxide Facts
- Fertilizer Powerhouse: The nitrogen delivered through ammonium hydroxide-derived fertilizers helps sustain modern agricultural output — feeding billions of people worldwide.
- Cleaning Legend: The “ammonia” in countless household cleaners is ammonium hydroxide solution — highly effective at cutting through grease and leaving glass streak-free.
- Ice Rink Magic: Ammonium hydroxide is used in the preparation of synthetic ice rink surfaces, contributing to that signature smooth, fast glide.
- Spirit of Hartshorn: Before modern chemistry, early alchemists produced ammonia solutions by distilling animal horns — a process they called “spirit of hartshorn,” a precursor to today’s ammonium hydroxide.
- Haber-Bosch Legacy: The 1913 Haber-Bosch process that enabled mass ammonia production is considered one of the most important chemical breakthroughs in history, fundamentally altering global food supply.
Frequently Asked Questions about NH₄OH
What is ammonium hydroxide?
Ammonium hydroxide is an alkaline aqueous solution formed by dissolving ammonia gas (NH₃) in water. Commercially available in concentrations typically ranging from 19% to 29% NH₃, it is used across a wide range of industrial, agricultural, and municipal applications. Alexander Chemical is both a producer and supplier of ammonium hydroxide.
What is ammonium hydroxide used for?
The most common industrial uses of ammonium hydroxide are pH adjustment in water treatment, nitrogen supply in fertilizer production, grease-cutting in cleaning formulations, and as a chemical precursor in manufacturing nitrates, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in food processing, textile manufacturing, printed circuit board etching, and rubber vulcanization.
What is the difference between ammonia and ammonium hydroxide?
Anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) is a pure gas or compressed liquid. Ammonium hydroxide is an aqueous solution of ammonia dissolved in water, typically at 19–29% NH₃. For most water treatment and industrial applications, ammonium hydroxide is preferred because it is safer to handle and easier to dose than anhydrous ammonia.
How is ammonium hydroxide produced?
Ammonium hydroxide is produced by dissolving anhydrous ammonia gas in water. The ammonia itself is typically synthesized via the Haber-Bosch process, which combines atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature. Alexander Chemical is a producer of ammonium hydroxide, not just a distributor.
Is ammonium hydroxide safe for drinking water treatment?
Yes. When dosed correctly and used in accordance with NSF/ANSI 60 standards, ammonium hydroxide is safe and effective for drinking water treatment. It is used primarily for pH adjustment and to form chloramines as a secondary disinfectant, and is one of the most widely approved water treatment chemicals globally.
How is ammonium hydroxide delivered?
Alexander Chemical delivers ammonium hydroxide via bulk tankers, intermediate bulk containers (totes), and drums based on your volume and site requirements. All deliveries are handled through Circle Transport, our dedicated logistics partner.
How should ammonium hydroxide be stored?
Ammonium hydroxide should be stored in cool, well-ventilated areas in HDPE or stainless steel tanks equipped with pressure relief systems. Keep away from acids, oxidizers, and open flames. Alexander Chemical provides tank inspection and maintenance support as part of our delivery and compliance services.
What concentration of ammonium hydroxide does Alexander Chemical supply?
Alexander Chemical supplies ammonium hydroxide in standard industrial concentrations of 19% to 29% NH₃ and can accommodate custom concentration requests depending on your application. Contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.
What industries use ammonium hydroxide?
Ammonium hydroxide is used across a wide range of industries including municipal water and wastewater treatment, agriculture and fertilizer production, industrial and household cleaning, chemical manufacturing, food processing, textile manufacturing, electronics (PCB etching), rubber production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Where to buy ammonium hydroxide in bulk?
Alexander Chemical produces and supplies bulk ammonium hydroxide with nationwide delivery. Contact our team to discuss your volume requirements, delivery schedule, and pricing.