Editing Ammonia (section)

== Applications ==

=== Fertiliser ===
In the US {{As of|2019|lc=y}}, approximately 88% of ammonia was used as [[fertiliser]]s either as its salts, solutions or [[anhydrous]]ly.<ref name="USGS-2020">{{cite web |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2020/mcs2020.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2020/mcs2020.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020, p. 117 – Nitrogen |publisher=[[USGS]] |year=2020 |access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref> When applied to soil, it helps provide increased yields of [[crop]]s such as [[maize]] and [[wheat]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lassaletta |first1=Luis |last2=Billen |first2=Gilles |last3=Grizzetti |first3=Bruna |last4=Anglade |first4=Juliette |last5=Garnier |first5=Josette |title=50-year trends in nitrogen use efficiency of world cropping systems: the relationship between yield and nitrogen input to cropland|journal=Environmental Research Letters |date=2014 |volume=9 |issue=10 |pages=105011 |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/9/10/105011 |language=en |issn=1748-9326 |bibcode=2014ERL.....9j5011L |doi-access=free}}</ref> 30% of agricultural nitrogen applied in the US is in the form of anhydrous ammonia, and worldwide, 110&nbsp;million tonnes are applied each year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/anhydrous-ammonia-fertilizer-abundant-important-hazardous/2013/04/18/c2d4c69c-a85a-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.html|title=Anhydrous ammonia fertilizer: abundant, important, hazardous|newspaper=Washington Post|author=David Brown|date=18 April 2013|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>
Solutions of ammonia ranging from 16% to 25% are used in the [[Industrial fermentation|fermentation]] industry as a source of nitrogen for microorganisms and to adjust pH during fermentation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Applications of Anhydrous Ammonia and Aqueous Ammonia|url=https://www.mysoreammonia.com/applications/|access-date=2022-02-02|website=www.mysoreammonia.com}}</ref>

=== Refrigeration–R717 ===
Because of ammonia's vapourization properties, it is a useful [[refrigerant]].<ref name="Max Appl-2006"/> It was commonly used before the popularisation of [[chlorofluorocarbon]]s (Freons). Anhydrous ammonia is widely used in industrial refrigeration applications and hockey rinks because of its high [[Energy conversion efficiency|energy efficiency]] and low cost. It suffers from the disadvantage of toxicity, and requiring corrosion resistant components, which restricts its domestic and small-scale use. Along with its use in modern [[vapour-compression refrigeration]] it is used in a mixture along with hydrogen and water in [[absorption refrigerator]]s. The [[Kalina cycle]], which is of growing importance to geothermal power plants, depends on the wide boiling range of the ammonia–water mixture.

Ammonia coolant is also used in the radiators aboard the [[International Space Station]] in loops that are used to regulate the internal temperature and enable temperature-dependent experiments.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/cooling-system-keeps-space-station-safe-productive|title=Cooling System Keeps Space Station Safe, Productive|last=Wright|first=Jerry|date=2015-04-13|work=NASA|access-date=2017-07-01|language=en|archive-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112183545/https://www.nasa.gov/content/cooling-system-keeps-space-station-safe-productive/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.space.com/21059-space-station-cooling-system-explained-infographic.html|title=International Space Station's Cooling System: How It Works (Infographic)|work=Space.com|access-date=2017-07-01}}</ref> The ammonia is under sufficient pressure to remain liquid throughout the process. Single-phase ammonia cooling systems also serve the power electronics in each pair of solar arrays.

The potential importance of ammonia as a refrigerant has increased with the discovery that vented CFCs and HFCs are potent and stable greenhouse gases.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Reducing Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Use and Emissions in the Federal Sector through SNAP|url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/documents/epa_hfc_federal_sector.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/documents/epa_hfc_federal_sector.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-02}}</ref>

=== Antimicrobial agent for food products ===
As early as in 1895, it was known that ammonia was 'strongly [[antiseptic]]; it requires 1.4&nbsp;grams per litre to preserve [[Broth|beef tea]] (broth).'<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/disinfectiondisi00rideuoft|title=Disinfection and Disinfectants: An Introduction to the Study of|author=Samuel Rideal|publisher=Charles Griffin and Company|place=London|year=1895|page=[https://archive.org/details/disinfectiondisi00rideuoft/page/109 109]}}</ref> In one study, anhydrous ammonia destroyed 99.999% of [[zoonotic bacteria]] in three types of [[compound feed|animal feed]], but not [[silage]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.11.040|title=Ammonia disinfection of animal feeds – Laboratory study|author=Tajkarimi, Mehrdad|journal=International Journal of Food Microbiology|volume=122|issue= 1–2|year=2008|pages=23–28|pmid=18155794|last2=Riemann|first2=H. P.|last3=Hajmeer|first3=M. N.|last4=Gomez|first4=E. L.|last5=Razavilar|first5=V.|last6=Cliver|first6=D. O.|display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=J. S. |last2=Lee |first2=Y. Y. |last3=Kim |first3=T. H. |title=A review on alkaline pretreatment technology for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. |journal=Bioresource Technology |date=January 2016 |volume=199 |pages=42–48 |doi=10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.085 |pmid=26341010|bibcode=2016BiTec.199...42K }}</ref> Anhydrous ammonia is currently used commercially to reduce or eliminate [[microbial]] contamination of [[beef]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811220534/http://asae.frymulti.com/abstract.asp?aid=27245&t=2 Evaluation of Treatment Methods for Reducing Bacteria in Textured Beef]", Jensen, Jean L ''et al.'', [[American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers]] Annual Meeting 2009</ref><ref>''[http://haccpalliance.org/sub/Antimicrobial%20Interventions%20for%20Beef.pdf Reference Document: Antimicrobial Interventions for Beef]'', Dawna Winkler and Kerri B. Harris, Center for Food Safety, Department of Animal Science, [[Texas A&M University]], May 2009, page 12</ref>
Lean finely textured beef (popularly known as '[[pink slime]]') in the beef industry is made from fatty [[beef trimmings]] (c. 50–70% fat) by removing the fat using heat and [[centrifugation]], then treating it with ammonia to kill ''[[E. coli]]''. The process was deemed effective and safe by the [[US Department of Agriculture]] based on a study that found that the treatment reduces ''E. coli'' to undetectable levels.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html | work=The New York Times | title=The Burger That Shattered Her Life | first=Michael | last=Moss | date=3 October 2009}}</ref> There have been safety concerns about the process as well as consumer complaints about the taste and smell of ammonia-treated beef.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/us/31meat.html | work=The New York Times | title=Safety of Beef Processing Method Is Questioned | first=Michael | last=Moss | date=31 December 2009}}</ref>

=== Fuel ===
[[File:AmmoniacalGasEngineStreetcarARWaud.jpeg|thumb|Ammoniacal Gas Engine [[Streetcars in New Orleans|Streetcar in New Orleans]] drawn by [[Alfred Waud]] in 1871]]
Ammonia has been used as fuel, and is a proposed alternative to fossil fuels and hydrogen. Being liquid at ambient temperature under its own vapour pressure and having high volumetric and gravimetric energy density, ammonia is considered a suitable carrier for hydrogen,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-03|title=MOL studies ammonia FSRU concept|url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/mol-studies-ammonia-fsru-concept/|access-date=2022-02-03|website=Offshore Energy|language=en-US}}</ref> and may be cheaper than direct transport of liquid hydrogen.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collins (l_collins)|first=Leigh|date=2022-01-27|title=SPECIAL REPORT {{!}} Why shipping pure hydrogen around the world might already be dead in the water {{!}} Recharge|url=https://www.rechargenews.com/energy-transition/special-report-why-shipping-pure-hydrogen-around-the-world-might-already-be-dead-in-the-water/2-1-1155434|access-date=2022-02-03|website=Recharge {{!}} Latest renewable energy news|language=en}}</ref>

Compared to hydrogen, ammonia is easier to store. Compared to [[hydrogen as a fuel]], ammonia is much more energy efficient, and could be produced, stored and delivered at a much lower cost than hydrogen, which must be kept compressed or as a cryogenic liquid.<ref name="Lan-2014" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Lindzon |first=Jared |date=27 February 2019 |title=He's Creating a New Fuel Out of Thin Air – for 85 Cents per Gallon |url=http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/hes-creating-a-new-fuel-out-of-thin-air-for-85-cents-per-gallon/92686 |access-date=26 April 2019 |website=OZY |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426171820/https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/hes-creating-a-new-fuel-out-of-thin-air-for-85-cents-per-gallon/92686 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The raw [[energy density]] of liquid ammonia is 11.5&nbsp;MJ/L,<ref name="Lan-2014">{{Cite journal|last1=Lan|first1=Rong|last2=Tao|first2=Shanwen|date=28 August 2014|title=Ammonia as a suitable fuel for fuel cells|journal=Frontiers in Energy Research|volume=2|pages=35|doi=10.3389/fenrg.2014.00035|doi-access=free}}</ref> which is about a third that of [[diesel fuel|diesel]].

Ammonia can be converted back to hydrogen to be used to power hydrogen fuel cells, or it may be used directly within high-temperature [[solid oxide fuel cell|solid oxide]] direct ammonia fuel cells to provide efficient power sources that do not emit [[greenhouse gas]]es.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Giddey|first1=S.|last2=Badwal|first2=S. P. S.|last3=Munnings|first3=C.|last4=Dolan|first4=M.|title=Ammonia as a Renewable Energy Transportation Media|journal=ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering|volume=5|issue=11|pages=10231–10239|date=10 October 2017|doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b02219}}</ref><ref name="Afif-2016">{{cite journal|last1=Afif|first1=Ahmed|last2=Radenahmad|first2=Nikdilila|last3=Cheok|first3=Quentin|last4=Shams|first4=Shahriar|last5=Hyun Kim|first5=Jung|last6=Azad|first6=Abul|date=2016-02-12|title=Ammonia-fed fuel cells: a comprehensive review|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294579196|journal=[[Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews]]|volume=60|pages=822–835|doi=10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.120|bibcode=2016RSERv..60..822A |access-date=2021-01-01}}</ref> Ammonia to hydrogen conversion can be achieved through the [[sodium amide]] process<ref name="David-2014">{{Cite journal |last1=David |first1=William I. F. |last2=Makepeace |first2=Joshua W. |last3=Callear |first3=Samantha K. |last4=Hunter |first4=Hazel M. A. |last5=Taylor |first5=James D. |last6=Wood |first6=Thomas J. |last7=Jones |first7=Martin O. |date=2014-09-24 |title=Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Using Sodium Amide |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |volume=136 |issue=38 |pages=13082–13085 |doi=10.1021/ja5042836 |issn=0002-7863 |pmid=24972299 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2014JAChS.13613082D }}</ref> or the catalytic decomposition of ammonia using solid catalysts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lucentini |first1=Ilaria |last2=García Colli |first2=Germán |last3=Luzi |first3=Carlos D. |last4=Serrano |first4=Isabel |last5=Martínez |first5=Osvaldo M. |last6=Llorca |first6=Jordi |date=2021-06-05 |title=Catalytic ammonia decomposition over Ni–Ru supported on CeO<sub>2</sub> for hydrogen production: Effect of metal loading and kinetic analysis |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926337321000229|journal=Applied Catalysis B: Environmental |language=en |volume=286 |pages=119896 |doi=10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.119896 |bibcode=2021AppCB.28619896L |s2cid=233540470 |issn=0926-3373|hdl=2117/364129 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
[[File:X-15.jpg|thumb|The [[X-15]] [[aircraft]] used ammonia as one component [[fuel]] of its [[rocket engine]]]]
Ammonia engines or ammonia motors, using ammonia as a [[working fluid]], have been proposed and occasionally used.<ref>{{cite web|author=Douglas Self|author-link=Douglas Self|url=http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/POWER/ammonia/ammonia.htm|title=Ammonia Motors|date=1 October 2007|access-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> The principle is similar to that used in a [[fireless locomotive]], but with ammonia as the working fluid, instead of steam or compressed air. Ammonia engines were used experimentally in the 19th century by [[Goldsworthy Gurney]] in the UK and the [[St. Charles Streetcar Line]] in [[New Orleans]] in the 1870s and 1880s,<ref name="Elbridge Harper Charlton-1965">{{Cite book |title=The Streetcars of New Orleans |author=Louis C. Hennick |author2=Elbridge Harper Charlton |date = 1965 |publisher =Pelican Publishing |isbn=9781455612598 |pages =14–16 }}</ref> and during [[World War II]] ammonia was used to power buses in [[Belgium]].<ref name="Olson-2007" />

Ammonia is sometimes proposed as a practical alternative to [[fossil fuel]] for [[internal combustion engine]]s.<ref name="Olson-2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.energy.iastate.edu/Renewable/ammonia/ammonia/2007/Olson2_NH3.pdf |title=Ammonia as a Transportation Fuel IV |date=15–16 October 2007 |publisher=Norm Olson – Iowa Energy Center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207092554/http://www.energy.iastate.edu/Renewable/ammonia/ammonia/2007/Olson2_NH3.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="Lee-2017">{{cite web |title=Development of new combustion strategy for internal combustion engine fueled by pure ammonia |last1=Lee |first1=Dongeun |last2=Min |first2=Hyungeun |last3=Park |first3=Hyunho |last4=Song |first4=Han Ho |url=https://nh3fuelassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/NH3-Energy-2017-Donggeun-Lee.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nh3fuelassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/NH3-Energy-2017-Donggeun-Lee.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Seoul National University, Department of Mechanical Engineering |date=2017-11-01 |access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref><ref name="Brohi-2014">{{cite web |title=Ammonia as fuel for internal combustion engines? |author=Brohi, Emtiaz Ali |url=http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/207145/207145.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/207145/207145.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Chalmers University of Technology |year=2014 |access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elucidare |date=2 February 2008 |title=Ammonia: New possibilities for hydrogen storage and transportation |url=http://www.elucidare.co.uk/news/Ammonia%20as%20H2%20carrier.pdf |url-status=live |website=Elucidare Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008200842/http://www.elucidare.co.uk:80/news/Ammonia%20as%20H2%20carrier.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2010 }}</ref> However, ammonia cannot be easily used in existing [[Otto cycle]] engines because of its very narrow [[#Combustion|flammability range]]. Despite this, several tests have been run.<ref>{{YouTube|L0hBAz6MxC4|Ammonia Powered Car}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Watch 'Ammonia Fuel' |url=http://www.gregvezina.ca |access-date=7 July 2009 |publisher=Greg Vezina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to NH3 Car |url=http://www.nh3car.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214103433/http://nh3car.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=14 December 2007 |work=NH3Car.com}}</ref> Its high [[octane rating]] of 120<ref name="bris.ac.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/ammonia/Ammonia%20MOTM.htm|title=Ammonia|publisher=chm.bris.ac.uk|access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> and low flame temperature<ref name="Zacharakis-Jutz-2013">{{cite web |title=Characteristics of an SI Engine Using Direct Ammonia Injection |last1=Zacharakis-Jutz |first1=George |last2=Kong |first2=Song-Charng |url=https://nh3fuelassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nh3fcx-song-charng-kong.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nh3fuelassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nh3fcx-song-charng-kong.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University |year=2013 |access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> allows the use of high compression ratios without a penalty of high [[NOx|{{NOx}}]] production. Since ammonia contains no carbon, its combustion cannot produce [[carbon dioxide]], [[carbon monoxide]], [[hydrocarbons]], or [[soot]].

Ammonia production currently creates 1.8% of global {{CO2}} emissions. 'Green ammonia' is ammonia produced by using [[green hydrogen]] (hydrogen produced by electrolysis with electricity from [[Renewable energy|renewable]] energy), whereas 'blue ammonia' is ammonia produced using [[blue hydrogen]] (hydrogen produced by steam methane reforming) where the carbon dioxide has been captured and stored.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/green-ammonia/|title=Green ammonia &#124; Royal Society|website=royalsociety.org}}</ref>

Rocket engines have also been fueled by ammonia. The [[Reaction Motors XLR99]] rocket engine that powered the {{nowrap|[[X-15]]}} hypersonic research aircraft used liquid ammonia. Although not as powerful as other fuels, it left no [[soot]] in the reusable rocket engine, and its density approximately matches the density of the oxidiser, [[liquid oxygen]], which simplified the aircraft's design.

In 2020, [[Saudi Arabia]] shipped 40 [[metric tons]] of liquid 'blue ammonia' to Japan for use as a fuel.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-27|title=Saudi Arabia Sends Blue Ammonia to Japan in World-First Shipment|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-27/saudi-arabia-sends-blue-ammonia-to-japan-in-world-first-shipment|access-date=2020-09-28|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> It was produced as a by-product by petrochemical industries, and can be burned without giving off [[greenhouse gas]]es. Its energy density by volume is nearly double that of liquid hydrogen. If the process of creating it can be scaled up via purely renewable resources, producing green ammonia, it could make a major difference in [[avoiding climate change]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Service|first1=Robert F.|date=2018-07-12|title=Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/ammonia-renewable-fuel-made-sun-air-and-water-could-power-globe-without-carbon|access-date=2020-09-28|website=Science {{!}} AAAS|language=en}}</ref> The company [[ACWA Power]] and the city of [[Neom]] have announced the construction of a green hydrogen and ammonia plant in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-17|title=Will Saudi Arabia build the world's largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant?|website=energypost.eu|access-date=2020-10-09|url=https://energypost.eu/will-saudi-arabia-build-the-worlds-largest-green-hydrogen-and-ammonia-plant/}}</ref>

Green ammonia is considered as a potential fuel for future container ships. In 2020, the companies [[DSME]] and [[MAN Energy Solutions]] announced the construction of an ammonia-based ship, DSME plans to commercialize it by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 October 2020 |title=DSME gets LR AIP for ammonia-fueled 23,000 TEU boxship|website=Offshore Energy|access-date=9 October 2020|url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/dsme-gets-lr-aip-for-ammonia-fueled-23000-teu-boxship/}}</ref> The use of ammonia as a potential alternative fuel for [[aircraft]] [[jet engine]]s is also being explored.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviafuture.com/index.php/2022/03/30/what-will-power-aircraft-in-the-future/#ammonia |title=What will power aircraft in the future? |date=30 March 2022 |website=Aviafuture |access-date=24 May 2022 }}</ref>

Japan intends to implement a plan to develop ammonia co-firing technology that can increase the use of ammonia in power generation, as part of efforts to assist domestic and other Asian utilities to accelerate their transition to [[carbon neutrality]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2227810-japan-to-advance-ammonia-cofiring-technology |title=Japan to advance ammonia co-firing technology |date=24 June 2021 |website=[[Argus Media]] |access-date=8 November 2021 }}</ref>
In October 2021, the first International Conference on Fuel Ammonia (ICFA2021) was held.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://icfa2021.com/en/index.html |title=First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia 2021 |date=6 October 2021 |website=ICFA |access-date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107071827/https://icfa2021.com/en/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2021/1012_002.html |date=12 October 2021 |title=First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia Held |website=[[Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry|METI, Japan]] |access-date=7 November 2021 }}</ref>

In June 2022, [[IHI Corporation]] succeeded in reducing greenhouse gases by over 99% during combustion of liquid ammonia in a 2,000-kilowatt-class gas turbine achieving truly {{CO2}}-free power generation.<ref>{{Cite press release |title={{CO2}}-free power generation achieved with the world's first gas turbine using 100% liquid ammonia |date=16 June 2022 |url=https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2022/resources_energy_environment/1197938_3488.html |publisher=[[IHI Corporation]] |access-date=1 July 2022 }}</ref>
In July 2022, [[Quadrilateral Security Dialogue|Quad]] nations of Japan, the U.S., Australia and India agreed to promote technological development for clean-burning hydrogen and ammonia as fuels at the security grouping's first energy meeting.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 July 2022 
|author=Masaya Kato |title=Quad members agree to promote hydrogen, ammonia fuel tech |url=https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2022/resources_energy_environment/1197938_3488.html |publisher=[[The Nikkei]] |access-date=14 July 2022 }}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, however, significant amounts of {{NOx}} are produced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the use of ammonia as a fuel – A perspective |url=https://hal-cnrs.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03675905/file/2022%20NH3%20perspective.pdf}}</ref> [[Nitrous oxide]] may also be a problem as it is a "''greenhouse gas that is known to possess up to 300 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of carbon dioxide''".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nitrogen Oxides as a By-product of Ammonia/Hydrogen Combustion Regimes |url=https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/144277/3/ICLCA21_0206%20ed%20V3%20without%20comments.pdf}}</ref>

The [[International Energy Agency|IEA]] forecasts that ammonia will meet approximately 45% of shipping fuel demands by 2050.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mehta |first=Amgeli |date=May 15, 2023 |title=In the voyage to net-zero, which green shipping fuel will rule the seas? |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/voyage-net-zero-which-green-shipping-fuel-will-rule-seas-2023-05-15/ |work=Reuters}}</ref>

At high temperature and in the presence of a suitable [[catalyst]] ammonia decomposes into its constituent elements.<ref name="White-1905">{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Alfred H. |last2=Melville |first2=Wm. |title=The Decomposition of Ammonia at High Temperatures |date=April 1905 |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja01982a005 |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |language=en |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=373–386 |doi=10.1021/ja01982a005 |bibcode=1905JAChS..27..373W |issn=0002-7863}}</ref> Decomposition of ammonia is a slightly endothermic process requiring 23&nbsp;kJ/mol (5.5&nbsp;[[kcal/mol]]) of ammonia, and yields [[hydrogen]] and [[nitrogen]] gas.

=== Other ===
==== Remediation of gaseous emissions ====
Ammonia is used to scrub {{SO2}} from the burning of fossil fuels, and the resulting product is converted to [[ammonium sulfate]] for use as fertiliser. Ammonia neutralises the nitrogen oxide ({{NOx}}) pollutants emitted by diesel engines. This technology, called SCR ([[selective catalytic reduction]]), relies on a [[vanadia]]-based catalyst.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 July 2009|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080321_748642_page_3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510094255/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080321_748642_page_3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2008 |title=Diesel: Greener Than You Think}}</ref>

Ammonia may be used to mitigate gaseous spills of [[phosgene]].<ref>{{cite web | publisher = [[International Programme on Chemical Safety]] | title = Phosgene: Health and Safety Guide | year = 1998 | url = http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg106.htm}}</ref>

==== Stimulant ====
[[File:Meth ammonia tank Otley iowa.JPG|thumb|Anti-[[methamphetamine|meth]] sign on tank of anhydrous ammonia, [[Otley, Iowa]]. Anhydrous ammonia is a common farm fertiliser that is also a critical ingredient in making methamphetamine. In 2005, Iowa used grant money to provide thousands of locks to prevent criminals from gaining access to the tanks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thegazette.com/2009/10/06/anhydrous-ammonia-tank-locks-have-flaws |title=Anhydrous ammonia tank locks have flaws|newspaper=Cedar Rapids Gazette|date=6 October 2009}}</ref>]]
Ammonia, as the vapour released by [[smelling salts]], has found significant use as a respiratory stimulant. Ammonia is commonly used in the illegal manufacture of [[methamphetamine]] through a [[Birch reduction]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/methnet/understandingmeth/basics.html |title=Illinois Attorney General &#124; Basic Understanding of Meth |publisher=Illinoisattorneygeneral.gov |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910041147/http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/methnet/understandingmeth/basics.html |archive-date=10 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Birch method of making methamphetamine is dangerous because the alkali metal and liquid ammonia are both extremely reactive, and the temperature of liquid ammonia makes it susceptible to explosive boiling when reactants are added.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NnZ23IqU4SoC&q=ammonia+birch+method+danger&pg=PA759|title=Occupational, Industrial, and Environmental Toxicology|last=Greenberg|first=Michael I.|date=2003-01-01|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0323013406|language=en}}</ref>

==== Textile ====
Liquid ammonia is used for treatment of cotton materials, giving properties like [[mercerisation]], using alkalis. In particular, it is used for prewashing of wool.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Włochowicz|first1=A.|last2=Stelmasiak|first2=E.|s2cid=96930751|title=Change in thermal properties of wool after treatment with liquid ammonia|journal=Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry|volume=26|issue=1|year=1983|page=17|doi=10.1007/BF01914084}}</ref>

==== Lifting gas ====
At standard temperature and pressure, ammonia is less dense than atmosphere and has approximately 45–48% of the lifting power of hydrogen or [[helium]]. Ammonia has sometimes been used to fill balloons as a [[lifting gas]]. Because of its relatively high boiling point (compared to helium and hydrogen), ammonia could potentially be refrigerated and liquefied aboard an [[airship]] to reduce lift and add ballast (and returned to a gas to add lift and reduce ballast).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Horkheimer |first1=Donald |title=AIAA 5th ATIO and 16th Lighter-Than-Air Sys Tech. And Balloon Systems Conferences |chapter=Ammonia – A Solution for Airships Demanding Rapid Changes in Net Buoyancy |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2005-7393|year=2005 |doi=10.2514/6.2005-7393 |isbn=978-1-62410-067-3 |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>

==== Fuming ====
{{See also|Ammonia fuming}}
Ammonia has been used to darken quartersawn white oak in Arts & Crafts and Mission-style furniture. Ammonia fumes react with the natural [[tannin]]s in the [[wood]] and cause it to change colour.<ref>[http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Fuming_white_oak.html Fuming white oak]. woodweb.com</ref>

==== Safety ====
[[File:Ammiakoprovod NS.jpg|thumb|upright|The world's longest ammonia [[pipeline transport|pipeline]] (roughly 2400&nbsp;km long),<ref>minerals year book, vol. 3</ref> running from the [[TogliattiAzot]] plant in [[Russia]] to [[Odesa]] in [[Ukraine]]]]
The US [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)]] has set a 15-minute exposure limit for gaseous ammonia of 35&nbsp;ppm by volume in the environmental air and an 8-hour exposure limit of 25&nbsp;ppm by volume.<ref name="Toxic FAQ Sheet for Ammonia-2004">{{cite news|url=https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts126.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts126.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Toxic FAQ Sheet for Ammonia| publisher=[[Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry]] (ATSDR)|date= September 2004}}</ref> The [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) recently reduced the IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, the level to which a healthy worker can be exposed for 30 minutes without suffering irreversible health effects) from 500 to 300 ppm based on recent more conservative interpretations of original research in 1943. Other organisations have varying exposure levels. US Navy Standards [U.S. Bureau of Ships 1962] maximum allowable concentrations (MACs): for continuous exposure (60 days) is 25&nbsp;ppm; for exposure of 1 hour is 400&nbsp;ppm.<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7664417.html Ammonia], IDLH Documentation</ref>

Ammonia vapour has a sharp, irritating, pungent odor that acts as a warning of potentially dangerous exposure. The average odor threshold is 5&nbsp;ppm, well below any danger or damage. Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death.<ref name="Toxic FAQ Sheet for Ammonia-2004"/> Ammonia is regulated in the US as a non-flammable gas, but it meets the definition of a material that is toxic by inhalation and requires a hazardous safety permit when transported in quantities greater than {{convert|3,500|gal}}.<ref>[http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/anhydrous-ammonia-covered-under-hazardous-materials-safety-permit-program Is Anhydrous Ammonia covered under the Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Program?] from the website of the [[United States Department of Transportation]] (DOT)</ref>

Liquid ammonia is dangerous because it is [[hygroscopic]] and because it can cause [[caustic burn]]s. See {{section link|Gas carrier|Health effects of specific cargoes carried on gas carriers}} for more information.