The Dangers of Ammonia and Its Environmental Role

Ammonia, denoted as NH3, is a highly toxic gas that can seriously harm the respiratory system when exposed to high concentrations.

Health Hazards of Ammonia Exposure

Exposure to ammonia, especially at high levels, can lead to various health issues. Ammonia can irritate and burn the skin, mouth, throat, lungs, and eyes. Extremely high concentrations can result in lung damage, respiratory arrest, and even death. The severity of the effects depends on the concentration, duration, and intensity of the exposure.

Specific Symptoms and Risks

At concentrations of 2500 to 4500 ppm, exposure can be fatal within about 30 minutes, while concentrations above 5000 ppm can typically cause rapid respiratory arrest. More severe effects occur at concentrations above 10000 ppm, where ammonia is potent enough to cause physical skin damage.

Ammonia in the Environment

While ammonia is a toxic substance, it plays a significant role in atmospheric processes and ecosystem balance. As the most abundant alkaline gas in the atmosphere, ammonia influences environmental conditions in multiple ways. On one hand, it promotes the formation of sulfate and nitrate, contributing to the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). On the other hand, it actively neutralizes atmospheric acids, reducing the negative impacts of acid rain on the ecological environment.

The Process of Ammonia Scrubbing

To mitigate the harmful effects of ammonia in industrial settings, specialized equipment like ammonia scrubbers are used. These devices employ advanced techniques to remove ammonia from exhaust gases effectively.

Ammonia Gas Treatment Process

The process begins with the cooling of ammonia gas to room temperature. Afterward, the gas enters an impurity-removing washing buffer tank, where a lye solution absorbs carbon dioxide and other chemical components present in the exhaust gas. A coil is used to exchange heat, ensuring that the exhaust gas does not warm up, and keeping the ammonia gas insoluble at room temperature.

A water jet serves as the pumping mechanism, moving the ammonia gas to a high-efficiency low-temperature ammonia gas scrubber. This scrubber utilizes fluid mechanics principles to mix gases with absorbing liquids in a pipeline. The contact surface between gas and liquid phases, along with the pipe walls, is maximized, allowing for continuous cooling and violent collisions that fully mix the gases and liquids. The mixture then falls into a circulating water tank, creating ammonia water.

Efficient Absorption and Environmental Protection

The design of the ammonia scrubber features a large inlet and a small outlet, generating a slight positive pressure in the tower. This slight pressure optimizes the absorption process. Additionally, a pickling tower is used to absorb any volatilized ammonia gas, ensuring compliance with environmental protection standards.