: Approximately 80% of all manufactured ammonia is used for fertilizers. It provides the nitrogen essential for plant protein production, supporting roughly half of the world's food production.
: While it can be a clean fuel, improper combustion can release harmful nitrogen oxides ( NOxcap N cap O sub x Ammonia | US EPA
: Household ammonia is a dilute solution used as an effective degreaser and glass cleaner.
: Ammonia is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, often resulting from agricultural runoff or bacterial decomposition in sediments.
: Due to its high heat absorption capacity, ammonia is widely used as a coolant in large-scale industrial refrigeration and cold storage systems. Emerging Role as a "Green" Fuel
: Most modern ammonia is synthesized via the Haber-Bosch process , which combines atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature using an iron catalyst. Major Uses
when burned. It is easier to liquefy and transport than pure hydrogen, making it a promising fuel for maritime shipping and long-term energy storage. "Green ammonia" is produced when the hydrogen used in synthesis comes from renewable-powered water electrolysis. Safety & Environmental Impact
: It is a precursor for plastics, synthetic fibers like nylon and rayon, explosives (TNT, nitroglycerin), and pharmaceuticals.