Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas with the well known characteristic pungent smell. Pure NH3 is normally stored as a liquid under pressure and is commonly known as anhydrous ammonia. Today NH3 is widely used in our daily life like all fertilizers and many industrial applications. Ammonia is also a building -block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals.NH3 is produced both by natural and human sources including the decay of plant material and animal waste.
Fertilizer: Approximately 83% (as of 2004) of ammonia is used as fertilisers either as its salts, solutions or anhydrously. When applied to soil, it helps provide increased yields of crops such as maize and wheat.30 % of agricultural nitrogen applied in the USA is in the form of anhydrous ammonia and worldwide 110m tonnes are applied each year.
Cleaner: Household ammonia is a solution of NH3 in water (i.e., ammonium hydroxide) used as a general purpose cleaner for many surfaces. Because ammonia results in a relatively streak-free shine, one of its most common uses is to clean glass, porcelain and stainless steel. It is also frequently used for cleaning ovens and soaking items to loosen baked-on grime. Household ammonia ranges in concentration by weight from 5 to 10% ammonia.
Fermentation: Solutions of ammonia ranging from 16% to 25% are used in the fermentation industry as a source of nitrogen for microorganisms and to adjust pH during fermentation.
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