Application of the Chemical Ammonia

It remains a relatively unknown fact that the first synthesis of ammonia ranks as one of the most important discoveries in the history of science. In 1840, Justus von Leibeg concluded that a significant component of plant nutrition was "fixed" nitrogen. At that time, fixed nitrogen was available in the form of ammonium sulfate and sodium nitrate. However, towards the end of the 1800s, there was concern that the world's natural nitrate supplies would become exhausted. Mankind was faced with the possibility of devastating food shortages.

Fortunately though, in 1913, scientists produced the first synthetic ammonia. The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes ammonia directly from its inherent elements. Fritz Haber began working on the thermodynamic equilibria between ammonia, hydrogen, and nitrogen around 1904. Both he and Carl Bosch eventually discovered that "by repeating the process of hydrogenation of the nitride and its formation under steady-state conditions, ammonia may be formed catalytically over a metal." The

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cases up to 5 days." In addition, the chemical "corroded and dissolved" exposed tissues. The main clinical problem in cases of severe acute ammonia intoxication, however, generally consists of airway destruction. Between 20 minutes to hours after exposure, swelling of the larynx and pulmonary edema may prove fatal. Furthermore, even if patients survive their initial problems, they may still suffer from debilitating chronic respiratory dysfunction. The extent of injury subsequent to ammonia inhalation depends on "the duration of exposure, the concentration of the gas, and the depth of inhalation." Although ammonia is not generally considered a serious fire hazard, conditions involving large, intense sources of ignition and high gas concentrations may result in explosion. One experiment performed in 1965 involved dumping 10 tons of liquid anhydrous ammonia from a refrigerated storage tank into a 1 foot deep pit on a relatively warm day. It was reported that small propane torches and oil soaked torches failed to ignite the ammonia gas. However, when water was sprayed into the ammonia pool an exothermic reaction occurred: the gas ignited and burned on the pool's surface. After the water was removed, the flames immediat
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Approximate Word count = 1487
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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