AmmoniaAmmonia

Jeff RobergeJeff Roberge

(Helmenstine)

IntroductionIntroduction

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste A solid material that poses a threat to human A solid material that poses a threat to human

and environmental health (increase in and environmental health (increase in mortality, irreversible illness) due to physical mortality, irreversible illness) due to physical characteristicscharacteristics

Causes environmental degradation in large Causes environmental degradation in large quantities quantities

Due to improper treatment of wastesDue to improper treatment of wastes 80,000 chemicals used in industry worldwide80,000 chemicals used in industry worldwide

IntroductionIntroduction

Types of hazardous wastesTypes of hazardous wastes Ignitable- liquid with flashpoint under 140 Ignitable- liquid with flashpoint under 140

degrees F, flammable gas, or easily ignited degrees F, flammable gas, or easily ignited solidsolid

Corrosive- aqueous waste with pH less than Corrosive- aqueous waste with pH less than or equal to 2, greater than or equal to 12.5, or equal to 2, greater than or equal to 12.5, liquid waste that corrodes steel .25 inch/yrliquid waste that corrodes steel .25 inch/yr

IntroductionIntroduction

Types (Cont.)Types (Cont.) Reactive- solid that is unstable, or reacts Reactive- solid that is unstable, or reacts

violently with water, makes toxic gas in violently with water, makes toxic gas in combination with other materialscombination with other materials

Toxic- waste containing certain substances Toxic- waste containing certain substances above a maximum safe concentrationabove a maximum safe concentration

(“Waste Labels”)

UsesUses

Ammonia- NHAmmonia- NH3 3 used in:used in:

Cleaning agentsCleaning agents Rocket fuelRocket fuel Drinking water Drinking water

purifierspurifiers FertilizersFertilizers Stack Emission Stack Emission

Control Systems Control Systems (neutralize sulfur (neutralize sulfur oxides)oxides)

Feeds yeast in beverage Feeds yeast in beverage companiescompanies

pH control in wastewater pH control in wastewater treatment plantstreatment plants

Industrial refrigeration Industrial refrigeration systemssystems

Pulping of paperPulping of paper Extraction of metals from Extraction of metals from

their orestheir ores ExplosivesExplosives

(USA)

UsesUses

FarmingFarming Up to 200 lbs of ammonia used per acre in 1 Up to 200 lbs of ammonia used per acre in 1

growing seasongrowing season Used in liquid solutions (ammonia, Used in liquid solutions (ammonia,

ammonium nitrate, urea, aqua ammonia)ammonium nitrate, urea, aqua ammonia) Selective Catalytic ReductionSelective Catalytic Reduction

Ammonia is the reducing agent in the stack Ammonia is the reducing agent in the stack stream flow-causes 80 to 90% emission stream flow-causes 80 to 90% emission reductions of NOxreductions of NOx

(“Selective”)

ManufacturingManufacturing

Manufacturing processManufacturing process Burrup Ammonia Plant:Burrup Ammonia Plant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfcZ1T_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfcZ1T_

QyYQyY..

A plant can produce 1854 tons a day A plant can produce 1854 tons a day

(“Ammonia”)

ManufacturingManufacturing

Haber-Bosch process Haber-Bosch process Typical plant turns natural gas (methane, LPG) into Typical plant turns natural gas (methane, LPG) into

hydrogen in gas form through steam reforminghydrogen in gas form through steam reforming Then combined with nitrogen in air to form liquefied Then combined with nitrogen in air to form liquefied

anhydrous ammoniaanhydrous ammonia Byproducts CO, CO2, CH4, uses natural gas, heating Byproducts CO, CO2, CH4, uses natural gas, heating

processes use gasprocesses use gas H2 + RSH → RH + H2S(gas) H2 + RSH → RH + H2S(gas)

H2S + ZnO → ZnS + H2O H2S + ZnO → ZnS + H2O CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2 CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2 CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O CO2 + 4H2 → CH4 +2H2OCO2 + 4H2 → CH4 +2H2O 3H2 + N2 → 2NH3 3H2 + N2 → 2NH3

ManufacturingManufacturing

(“Ammonia Production”)

2002- 2,000 tons H2 was produced in Iceland

Uses hydrolysis to split water to get hydrogen

Side EffectsSide Effects

It is a corrosive substanceIt is a corrosive substance Only harms areas exposed to itOnly harms areas exposed to it At high levels, causes burns on contactAt high levels, causes burns on contact Can cause blindness, lung disease, death, Can cause blindness, lung disease, death,

or chemical discolorationsor chemical discolorations No proof it causes cancerNo proof it causes cancer Its ions are more mildIts ions are more mild No evidence of birth defectsNo evidence of birth defects

Side EffectsSide Effects

EffectsEffects In environment, alkaline plants uptake ammonia as In environment, alkaline plants uptake ammonia as

a source of Nitrogena source of Nitrogen At 5 ppm, it is toxic to fishAt 5 ppm, it is toxic to fish Bacteria Convert Ammonia into ions in ground and it Bacteria Convert Ammonia into ions in ground and it

is recycledis recycled It occurs naturally- 1-5 ppb in air, <6 ppm in waterIt occurs naturally- 1-5 ppb in air, <6 ppm in water Ammonia lasts 1 week in airAmmonia lasts 1 week in air In Haz. waste sites: 1-1000 ppm in soil, up to 16 In Haz. waste sites: 1-1000 ppm in soil, up to 16

ppm in waterppm in water >50 ppm you can smell in the air>50 ppm you can smell in the air 35 ppm you can taste in liquid35 ppm you can taste in liquid Solutions 25% or higher are corrosiveSolutions 25% or higher are corrosive

(“The Nitrogen”)

Side EffectsSide Effects

Causes plant growth due to fertilizerCauses plant growth due to fertilizer Up to 3,000 ppm in farm soil after appliedUp to 3,000 ppm in farm soil after applied Fish and aquatic animals burnedFish and aquatic animals burned Quickly recycled when in groundQuickly recycled when in ground In body, turned into safe chemicals and In body, turned into safe chemicals and

urinated out after a few daysurinated out after a few days (The Oscar Spot)NH3 burns on eyes

RegulationsRegulations

State regulationsState regulations Handler of material must have completed an Handler of material must have completed an

anhydrous Ammonia training program every 3 yearsanhydrous Ammonia training program every 3 years All storage areas need eyewash, shower or 150 All storage areas need eyewash, shower or 150

gallons of water nearbygallons of water nearby Transfer hoses can be only a max of 30 ftTransfer hoses can be only a max of 30 ft Transfer vehicles and tanks have a max load of Transfer vehicles and tanks have a max load of

6,000 gallons6,000 gallons Holding tank minimum distance of 200 feet from Holding tank minimum distance of 200 feet from

property lineproperty line

RegulationsRegulations

EPA, Occupational Safety and Health EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulateAdministration (FDA) regulate 100 lbs spill of NH3 needs to be reported100 lbs spill of NH3 needs to be reported 1000-5000 lbs spill ammonium salt needs to 1000-5000 lbs spill ammonium salt needs to

be reportedbe reported Suggested 8-hr exposure limit at 25 ppmSuggested 8-hr exposure limit at 25 ppm 25 min at 35 ppm25 min at 35 ppm 5 min at 50 ppm5 min at 50 ppm

RegulationsRegulations

Occupational Safety and Health Act Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (OSHA) Equipment must meet OSHA standardsEquipment must meet OSHA standards Can be inspected at anytime with 24 hours Can be inspected at anytime with 24 hours

noticenotice 5 gallons of water mounted on equipment5 gallons of water mounted on equipment Goggles, gloves requiredGoggles, gloves required

Areas ImpactedAreas Impacted

Ammonia found in 137 of 1647 National Priority Ammonia found in 137 of 1647 National Priority List sitesList sites

Naturally- 1-5 ppb in airNaturally- 1-5 ppb in air Farm land up to 200 lbs per acre (3000 ppm)Farm land up to 200 lbs per acre (3000 ppm) CT River- WatershedsCT River- Watersheds Naturally found in urine and bodyNaturally found in urine and body Does not bioaccumulateDoes not bioaccumulate Found in microorganisms, plants, bacteriaFound in microorganisms, plants, bacteria Fish, humans, mammals that ingest are injuredFish, humans, mammals that ingest are injured

Areas ImpactedAreas Impacted

Found in foodFound in food Ammonium bicarbonate 0.04-3.2% (in baked Ammonium bicarbonate 0.04-3.2% (in baked

goods, snacks)goods, snacks) Ammonium carbonate 2.0% (in gelatins)Ammonium carbonate 2.0% (in gelatins) Ammonium chloride 0.001% (baked goods) Ammonium chloride 0.001% (baked goods) Ammonium hydroxide 0.6-0.8% (cheeses, Ammonium hydroxide 0.6-0.8% (cheeses,

gelatin)gelatin) 0.012% in condiments 0.012% in condiments

Areas ImpactedAreas Impacted

Oil burned to produce high temps. to Oil burned to produce high temps. to make reactionmake reaction

CO2, CO, CH4, Sulfur emissionsCO2, CO, CH4, Sulfur emissions Electricity needed for electrolysis-uses oilElectricity needed for electrolysis-uses oil

(“Process Plants”)

ConclusionConclusion

Natural material only deadly in large Natural material only deadly in large quantitiesquantities

Necessary for nitrogen cycle and plant Necessary for nitrogen cycle and plant nitrogen uptakenitrogen uptake

As long as it is properly handled, there is As long as it is properly handled, there is no real problemno real problem

Hazardous WastesHazardous Wastes

WhatWhat- Collection of hazardous materials- Collection of hazardous materialsWhereWhere- CRERPA Rte. 9, Exit 4, Dump Road, Essex, CT- CRERPA Rte. 9, Exit 4, Dump Road, Essex, CTWhenWhen- Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov 1 9am-1pm- Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov 1 9am-1pmIncludesIncludes- Paint stripper, turpentine, transmission fluid, - Paint stripper, turpentine, transmission fluid,

unfinished aerosols, pesticides, herbicides, paints, unfinished aerosols, pesticides, herbicides, paints, insecticides, drain cleaners, brake fluids, batteries, insecticides, drain cleaners, brake fluids, batteries, cleaning solvents…cleaning solvents…

AmmoniaAmmonia- a - a hazardous wastehazardous waste common in every common in every household in household in cleaning solventscleaning solvents and some and some refrigerants. It can cause refrigerants. It can cause burnsburns, , blindnessblindness and and lung lung complicationscomplications so deserves proper disposal. so deserves proper disposal.

For More Info (860) 388-3497For More Info (860) 388-3497

Works Cited

“Ammonia.” John Matthey Catalysts. 2007. 2 Oct 2008 <http://www.jmcatalysts.com/ptd/site.asp?siteid=496&pageid=499>.

“Ammonia Production via a 2-Step Al2O3/AlN Thermochemical Cycle.” ETH. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.pre.ethz.ch/research/projects/?id=ammonia>.

Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “Ammonia.” 2008. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://chemistry.about.com/od/factsstructures/ig/Chemical-Structures---A/Ammonia.htm>.

“Highlights of the New Anhydrous Ammonia Regulations.” Department of Agriculture. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.agr.state.il.us/Laws/Regs/nitrogen.pdf>.

“Household Hazardous Waste Facility.” 2008. CRERPA. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.crerpa.org/wastemanagement.php>.

“The Nitrogen Cycle.” 16 Aug. 2006. Hach. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.h2ou.com/h2nitrogencycle.htm>.

The Oscar Spot. 2007. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.theoscarspot.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13767>.

“Process Plants.” 1 Feb. 2003. Shiraz Petrochemical Complex. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.spc-ir.com/English-pages/plants.htm>.

R.M. Technologies. 2003. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.rmtech.net/uses_of_ammonia.htm>.

“Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).” De-Nox Technologies. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.de-nox.com/SCR.htm>.

USA Detergents. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.usa-detergents.com/Editor/assets/tog.jpg>.

“Waste Labels.” 2006. Imperial Irrigation District. 2 Oct. 2008 <www.iid.com/OP_Index.php?pid=586>.

“What is Hazardous Waste?” Think Quest. 2 Oct. 2008 <http://library.thinkquest.org/10625/HAZDEFIN.HTM>.