With so many risks involved in the usage of ammonia, is it worth the risk for decarbonization? Do the risks outweigh its potential?
Here’s the blog by Popular Mechanics that lists the risks involved in Ammonia.
- Its vapours are reactive and corrosive
- Damage the respiratory system when inhaled
- Swallowing liquid ammonia can cause burning and damage to the digestive system
- Exposed skin can be damaged.
These risks will probably make one think twice about coming anywhere near ammonia.
But should we just push it away? What if you were told that ammonia, especially ‘green’ ammonia has immense potential for decarbonization? Well, indeed it does.
Green ammonia has several benefits, including:
- Energy Storage: It can store energy in large quantities as a liquid at modest pressures or refrigerated to -33°C, with an energy density around 40% that of petroleum.
- Fuel: It can be used as a zero-carbon fuel in fuel cells, internal combustion engines, industrial burners, and gas turbines, making it suitable for maritime, rail, heavy road transport, and aviation.
- Decarbonization: It can help decarbonize industries such as fertiliser production, which currently accounts for 80% of annual ammonia production
So the moral of the story here is fairly simple: if we use ammonia safely i.e. with the right precautions, the world’s goals for decarbonization will become much more easier to achieve, and the world will become a better place even sooner.