Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is provided in a variety of grades for:
- Agricultural
- Industrial
- Metallurgical
- Refrigeration
It is also used in the production of urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulphate.
Ingredients for the production of anhydrous ammonia are air, natural gas and steam (air is 78% nitrogen). In the first step of the process, natural gas reacts with steam over a catalyst, producing a hydrogen-rich gas. This change is completed at a temperature ranging from 760 to 816° Celsius (1400 to 1500° Fahrenheit). Next, air is added and carefully regulated to provide the exact amount of nitrogen needed for ammonia synthesis.
After a series of processes to remove carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the remaining high-purity gas (high in nitrogen and hydrogen content) is compressed under extreme pressure and sent to a reactor vessel where ammonia is synthesized. The anhydrous ammonia is then liquified and stored at a temperature of approximately -34° Celsius (-30° Fahrenheit). The carbon dioxide from this process is used in urea production.
- lowest cost (per lb of nitrogen)
- high analysis reduces handling requirements
- high quality nitrogen source
| Canada | | | | 1. Redwater, Alberta | ammonia (gross) | *960,000 | | 2. Carseland, Alberta | ammonia (gross) | 535,000 | | 3. Joffre, Alberta | ammonia | 480,000 | | 4. Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta | ammonia (gross) | 465,000 | | | | | | United States | | | | 5. Kenai, Alaska | ammonia (gross) | 1,250,000 | | 6. Borger, Texas | ammonia (gross) | 490,000 | | | | | | Argentina | | | 7. Bahia Blanca (Profertil S.A.) | ammonia (gross) | **710,000 | | | | | |  |
* Total production at Redwater results from two plants with capacities of 280,000 and 680,000 tonnes.
** Profertil S.A. is 50% owned by Agrium Inc. and 50% owned by Repsol YPF, S.A.