While ammonia’s benefits are numerous, its dangers cannot be trivialized. There are certain risks resulting from ammonia for refrigeration systems. Region III has conducted more than 135 chemical safety audits from 1995 to the present of both large and small facilities using ammonia for refrigeration. Ammonia is classified as a Water Hazard Class 2 substance. Sometimes called ammonia regenerators, can be integrated directly into the refrigeration system. The odor threshold reported in literature varies. Household ammonia, by comparison, is only about 10% ammonia by weight mixed with water. This means that, if released, ammonia can be a danger to the immediate environment. Ammonia refrigeration works much like Industrial Refrigeration systems using synthetic refrigerants, with the major exception being that it uses anhydrous ammonia as the refrigerant. With ammonia, because fewer pounds of refrigerant are required to do the same amount of work, generally speaking, the lower a facility’s temperature requirements, the more cost-effective ammonia becomes. It is used to create a cool environment that helps keep products fresh and prevent bacterial growth. The ammonia refrigeration process has seen little change since the early 20th century. The odor of ammonia is widely recognized. As a refrigerant, ammonia has four major advantages over CFCs and HCFCs: A release of Anhydrous Ammonia could happen in a number of ways: physical impact to the refrigeration system, seal leaks, piping corrosion, and hydraulic shock. Concerns, Cautions and Considerations. Ammonia refrigeration is commonly found in cold storage, food processing and industrial applications, but the use of ammonia does extend into other markets as well, especially overseas. These units can vary in complexity and effectiveness, but generally are capable of operating continuously. Any business operating a chiller with ammonia is … Refrigerant grade anhydrous ammonia is a clear, colorless gas or liquid and about 99.95% pure. Exposure to 300 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. Problematic procedures may be to blame. In addition, over the past 2 years, Region III has The Dangers of Ammonia. However, the danger always exists that exposure will occur due to a leak or catastrophic release of Anhydrous Ammonia from a refrigeration system. Typically use hot discharge gas or warm condensed liquid to provide an inexpensive heat source for boiling the cold contaminated liquid ammonia. Ammonia is considered a high health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. in the workplace. The purity of the anhydrous ammonia is vital to the properties that make it a good refrigerant. ammonia refrigeration systems to gather information on safety practices and technologies and to share its knowledge with these facilities. 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