Sensor offers breakthrough in ammonia detection

What is ammonia and where is it used?

Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a colourless gas with a pungent smell and a pH of about 11. Ammonia can dissolve in water to form ammonium hydroxide, which is a weak base that can neutralize acids. Gas phase ammonia has many uses in different industries and applications, such as:

Refrigeration

Ammonia gas is used as a refrigerant in industrial and commercial cooling systems. Ammonia gas has a high heat capacity and low boiling point, which makes it efficient and environmentally friendly for cooling purposes. However, ammonia gas can also be dangerous if it leaks or mixes with other substances, so proper safety measures and maintenance are required.

Agriculture

Ammonia is a major component of animal waste and fertilizers, and it plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle of plants. Ammonia gas is used as a raw material for producing nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate - which are essential for enhancing crop growth and yield.

Chemical

Ammonia is a key raw material for the production of various chemicals, such as nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, urea, and synthetic fibers. It is also used as a catalyst and a solvent in many chemical processes. Ammonia can react with other substances and form explosive or hazardous compounds, such as ammonium perchlorate, ammonium hydroxide, and nitrous oxide. Therefore, ammonia sensors are used to monitor and control the ammonia levels in the chemical plants and the waste streams, and to prevent the formation of unwanted by-products or the release of harmful emissions.

Cleaning and disinfection

Ammonia gas is used as a cleaning agent and a disinfectant in various industries and settings, such as hospitals, laboratories, and households. Ammonia gas can dissolve grease, dirt, and stains, and kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Ammonia gas can also be mixed with water or other chemicals to make solutions, such as window cleaners, floor cleaners, and bleach.

Pharmaceutical

Ammonia is used as a precursor, a stabilizer, and a buffer in the synthesis and formulation of various pharmaceutical products, such as antibiotics, antihistamines, vitamins, and hormones. Ammonia sensors can also help to optimize the production and storage of the pharmaceutical products, by preventing the loss of active ingredients or the formation of impurities.

Wastewater treatment

Ammonia is a common pollutant in wastewater, as it originates from the decomposition of organic matter, the discharge of industrial effluents, and the runoff of agricultural fertilizers. Moreover, ammonia can interfere with the biological treatment of the wastewater, inhibiting the growth and activity of the microorganisms that remove the organic and nitrogenous compounds.

Why is ammonia detection important?

Ammonia can pose serious health and environmental risks if it leaks, spills, or accumulates in high concentrations -
exposure to ammonia can cause irritation, burns, respiratory problems, and even death in humans and animals.

Therefore, it is essential to monitor and control ammonia levels in various settings, such as farms, livestock facilities, refrigeration plants, and chemical plants.

STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit) and TWA (Time-weighted Average) are two types of exposure limits that are used to regulate the amount of a substance that workers can be exposed to over a certain period of time.

STEL is the maximum concentration of a substance that workers can be exposed to for a short period of time, usually 15 minutes, without experiencing any adverse health effects. The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) have set the STEL for ammonia at 35 ppm for 15 minutes.

Ammonium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate are used for the fabrication of solid rocket propellants.

TWA, on the other hand, is the average concentration of a substance that workers can be exposed to over an 8-hour workday without experiencing any adverse health effects. These exposure limits are used to ensure the safety and health of workers and are set by different organizations – however, the threshold levels of exposure vary depending on the regulatory institution. For instance, OSHA defines the TWA for ammonia vapour as an exposure of 50 ppm for
8 hours, whereas NIOSH describes it as an exposure of 25 ppm for 10 hours.

What are the challenges of ammonia detection?

Ammonia detection is not an easy task, as ammonia has some unique properties that make it difficult to measure accurately and reliably.

One of the challenges is that ammonia has a high affinity for water, which means it can easily dissolve in moisture and form ammonium ions (NH4+). This can affect the performance of some sensors, as they may not detect the true concentration of ammonia in the gas phase.

A second challenge is that ammonia is often present in complex mixtures with other gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen oxides. This can interfere with the sensor selectivity and sensitivity, as some sensors may not be able to distinguish ammonia from other gases or may have a reduced signal due to cross-reactivity.

The background ammonia gas concentration can be challenging for electrochemical gas sensors because these sensors rely on consumable detection chemistries that can be affected by prolonged exposure to ammonia. This can ultimately limit the sensor’s life depending on the cumulative exposure to ammonia.

On top of that, typical ammonia sensors are prone to drift (which is a gradual change in the sensor output over time). This can happen when the sensor is exposed to low background levels of ammonia for long periods, causing the baseline to shift and reduce the accuracy and reliability of the measurement. Drift can also be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and aging of the sensor components.

How does the 4NH3LL-100 sensor overcome these challenges?

The 4NH3LL-100 sensor is a new product that we have developed to address the challenges of ammonia detection and provide a superior solution for our customers.

The 4NH3LL-100 sensor has several advantages over conventional sensors, such as:

The sensor can operate in a wide range of environmental conditions and provide stable and accurate readings. The 4NH3LL-100 does not require external thermal regulation or protection to work at harsh temperatures.
It can operate constantly with background levels of ammonia without affecting the sensor’s performance.
It is durable and low-maintenance, which means it can last for a long time.
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor is also designed to be easy to use and integrate with various systems and platforms - it has a compact and lightweight design, which means it can be installed in tight spaces and portable devices

What are the applications of the 4NH3LL-100 sensor?

The 4NH3LL-100 sensor is ideal for a variety of applications that require ammonia detection, such as:

farming and livestock:
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor can monitor ammonia levels in animal housing, manure storage, and biogas production, and help improve animal welfare, reduce odours, and optimise biogas yield.
refrigeration:
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor can detect ammonia leaks in refrigeration systems, and help prevent equipment damage, product loss, and safety hazards
chemical:
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor can measure ammonia concentrations in chemical processes, and help control the quality, efficiency, and safety of the products and operations
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor can also be used for other applications that involve ammonia, such as food processing, wastewater treatment, and air quality monitoring.
and more:
The 4NH3LL-100 sensor can also be used for other applications that involve ammonia detection, such as food processing, wastewater treatment,and air quality monitoring.