Anhydrous Ammonia Awareness
Anhydrous ammonia is a chemical compound composed of nitrogen and hydrogen that has been liquefied and compressed into a gas. It is used as fertilizer, in power plants, and as a refrigerant. This course describes what anhydrous ammonia is and how it is used in general industry. This course also discusses the permissible exposure limits of anhydrous ammonia, the personal protective equipment that should be worn when working with or around anhydrous ammonia, handling precautions, as well as emergency response procedures.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the physical properties of anhydrous ammonia
- Identify common uses of anhydrous ammonia
- Describe the health hazards and effects of exposure
- Identify the proper PPE for handling anhydrous ammonia
- List safe handling requirements
- Describe spill and leak containment procedures
- Describe emergency response procedures for exposure and firefighting
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video, MobileReady, Responsive |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
What is anhydrous ammonia?
As a gas, ammonia can be dissolved into water to create “aqueous” ammonia. This form is commonly used in household and industrial cleaners. In pure form, known as “anhydrous” ammonia, it is a liquefied compressed gas. Its boiling temperature is -28 °F (-33 °C) at atmospheric pressure. Anhydrous ammonia is widely produced for a variety of agricultural and industrial applications. Despite its many uses, there are extreme hazards affiliated to exposure and the handling of this chemical.
Is anhydrous ammonia flammable?
In the presence of oxygen, anhydrous ammonia burns as a yellow-greenish flame. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) flammability rating for anhydrous ammonia is 1. Though this flammability rating is low, if the chemical comes in contact with a catalyst, such as oil or chlorine, it can result in higher flammability or explosive conditions.
Is anhydrous ammonia toxic?
Because anhydrous ammonia is a caustic alkaline, it rapidly absorbs water. As liquid or gas it can cause severe corrosive burns to tissue – especially tissue high in moisture, including the mouth, nasal passage, and throat.
What type of PPE should one use when working with ahydrous ammonia?
Protective clothing, including chemical-resistant rubber gloves, aprons, and heavy-duty, long-sleeved shirts; chemical goggles and safety shields; and respirators.
Sample Video Transcript
As a gas, ammonia can be dissolved into water to create aqueous ammonia. This form is commonly used in household and industrial cleaners. In pure form, known as anhydrous ammonia, it is a liquefied compressed gas. Its boiling temperature is -28°F at atmospheric pressure. Anhydrous ammonia is widely produced for a variety of agricultural and industrial applications. Despite its many uses, there are extreme hazards affiliated to exposure and the handling of this chemical.
Additional Resources
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – www.cdc.gov/niosh/
- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/EmergencyResponseCard_29750013.html
- https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9757
Course Applies To
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