Safety Tips for Storage & Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia

Anhydrous ammonia is basically ammonia without water. It is in the form of compressed gas or liquid and consists of three parts — hydrogen and one part nitrogen. In its diluted form, it is the most widely used compound in households, as well as industrial cleaning applications. The compound also finds major use in agriculture.

However, you cannot ignore the fact that it is a hazardous chemical. It has the capacity to cause large physiological damages or even deadly explosions. Therefore, it is crucial to store and handle it with utmost care. In this post, we will discuss tips for safe storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia.

The Danger of Ammonia

Anhydrous ammonia is a caustic and strong alkali that can lead to death or injury if improperly handled. Here’s how it affects the body:

• Inhalation: Ammonia gas irritates the nose, throat and lungs. If inhaled, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath and trouble breathing. High concentrations can lead to severe lung damage and even death.
• Skin contact: Ammonia gas or solution can cause burns, irritation and scarring if it comes into contact with skin. Direct contact with the liquid form of ammonia can cause frostbite.
• Eye contact: Ammonia gas or solution can lead to severe irritation, burns and even permanent damage, including blindness.
• Ingestion: If ingested, ammonia solutions can corrode the mouth, throat and stomach.

Since ammonia gas is lighter than air, it can rise in the atmosphere and quickly spread in the event of a leak. With high flammability and explosive properties, it can be very dangerous and lead to injuries if not properly handled.

Tips for Safe Storage of Anhydrous Ammonia

• Although anhydrous ammonia is useful in several applications, it needs to be stored with care. Here are some ammonia storage safety tips to help prevent hazardous situations:
  • Store at proper pressure: When cooled or compressed, anhydrous ammonia becomes liquid. Storing it under pressure keeps it from vaporizing, making it useful in large volumes. Upon vaporization, a cubic foot of liquid anhydrous ammonia yields 855 cubic feet of ammonia gas. The ammonia storage tanks used to store this compound should be able to withstand a minimum internal pressure of 250 pounds per square inch (psi). Ammonia is refrigerated to -28┬░F by terminal storage tanks. The storage pressure at -28┬░F is less than 1 psi.
  • Use non-corrosive storage containers: Anhydrous ammonia is a very strong compound and has the capacity to corrode metals like copper, zinc and alloys with these metals. Since zinc is used to galvanize steel, these containers aren’t suitable for storing anhydrous ammonia.

  Tips for Safe Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia

  Here are some quick tips to handle anhydrous ammonia safely without getting injured:

  • Use safety gear: Crucial ammonia safety precautions include wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling anhydrous ammonia. Proper PPE includes gear such as a long-sleeved shirt or coat, rubber gloves, chemical-proof goggles, overalls and a full-face respirator.
  • Keep clean water handy: It’s extremely important to have clean water near you when working with anhydrous ammonia. Make sure you have enough so that you can rinse your eyes and wash your hands if they come in contact with the chemical.
  • Properly position the nurse tank: Be sure to place the nurse tank close to the source tank. This will help reduce the risk of spills that could lead to accidents. Always make sure that there are no obstructions or blockages around the control wheel and hoses.

  Importance of Training and Education for Handling Ammonia

  Due to its hazardous nature, training and education are crucial when handling ammonia. They’re especially important since ammonia is a colorless gas and can be masked in certain situations — making it difficult to detect dangerous leaks.

  Proper training can provide workers with an understanding of safety procedures and emergency protocols, as well as how to properly use safety gear when handling anhydrous ammonia. For instance, sessions can include learning how to load, unload and transfer chemicals, how to respond to a leak or spill, and how to evacuate or use first aid in an emergency. These sessions can prevent workplace injuries, explosions and other dangerous situations when working with the chemical.

  Importance of Regulatory Compliance

  Regulatory compliance is also of the utmost importance for ammonia storage and handling. You’ll need to adhere to standards like OSHA Standard 1910.111 to protect workers, the public and the environment from harm. Regulatory compliance will ensure:

  • Worker safety, by helping personnel avoid burns, respiratory issues and other health issues.
  • Environmental protection, by avoiding spills that can contaminate water sources and air.
  • Public safety, by avoiding explosions or toxic gas releases that endanger anyone in the vicinity.

  Complying also helps you avoid fines, penalties and even legal action. EPA provides guidance and standards for ammonia refrigeration systems, which can help you maintain safe, efficient operations.

  Trust BEPeterson for Reliable Ammonia Tanks

  It’s crucial to follow safety standards and procedures when handling and storing anhydrous ammonia. Doing so can help you protect workers, the environment and the public from leaks or spills.

  To safely store this chemical, it’s critical that you have proper ammonia storage tanks. It is always advisable to get these storage tanks from trusted and well-known suppliers. BEPeterson is one of the leading anhydrous ammonia storage tank manufacturers. We have vast experience in manufacturing tanks and pressure vessels. Our company is ASME and ISO 9001:2015 certified, and we have been providing custom storage tanks with field-proven performance for many years.

  Browse our ammonia tanks and contact our team for a custom ammonia tank tailored to your application.