Introduction of ammonium chloride and its uses

Ammonium chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NH 4 Cl . Ammonium chloride is a white salt that dissolves easily in hot water. Its solution is weakly acidic due to the presence of chlorine ions. Neshadar has a crystalline structure, is colorless and odorless, and has a salty and sometimes spicy taste. Ammonium chloride has a melting point of 338 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 530 degrees Celsius. This substance is obtained industrially from the reaction of ammonia and hydrochloric acid. Ammonium chloride is found naturally in some volcanoes.

Application of ammonium chloride

• Ammonium chloride is used in many different industries. The oldest use of ammonium chloride is the use of incendiary substances and increasing the green and blue color of copper ions in fireworks, which today has been replaced by safer chemicals.
• Currently, the most common use of ammonium chloride is in the agricultural industry and the production of chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen. The lower cost and higher concentration of ammonium chloride compared to ammonium sulfate is the advantage of using this compound and it has been used for crops such as wheat, barley, sugarcane, etc. The increase of chlorine in the soil, which is due to the addition of ammonium chloride, has caused more absorption of cadmium by plants.
• In the electronics industry, ammonium chloride is used for better soldering for making printed circuits and engraving on it.
• Ammonium chloride absorbs moisture from the surface of metals and is used as a surface cleaner in plating and coating industries of alloy metals. The presence of ammonium chloride makes the process of tin and zinc coating on the metal surface easier and better.
• On a laboratory scale, this substance is used in cooling baths to reduce the temperature. Ammonia is also added to prepare a buffer solution.
• Ammonium chloride has limited uses in the medical field as well. This combination is used to dissolve certain types of kidney stones. Ammonium chloride is added to some medicines and antibiotics, which leads to increased resistance to bacteria and elimination of toxins from the body.
• Another practical use of ammonium chloride is to use it as an electrolyte in dry cell batteries. This material is used in the textile industry to dye fabric, cotton and leather. Other uses of ammonium chloride include the curing agent in formaldehyde-based adhesives.

Effects of ammonium chloride

It is very important to observe safety precautions when working with ammonium chloride. The contact of this substance with eyes and skin causes severe burning, and in case of contact, it should be washed quickly with a large amount of water and consult a doctor. Eating this substance causes irritation of the mucous membrane, and immediately after entering the mouth, one should drink a lot of water and force the person to vomit. Also, in case of breathing ammonium chloride, you should start breathing deeply in the open air. To prevent these problems, it is necessary to use protective clothing, masks and gloves.

How to produce ammonium chloride

In the following, three methods of ammonium chloride production are briefly explained:

1. Reaction between hydrochloric acid and ammonia: Ammonium chloride can be obtained from the direct reaction of ammonia and hydrochloric acid. Preparation of ammonium chloride in this way is very exothermic and cooling equipment is needed. This reaction can be performed at a pressure of less than one atmosphere and pH = 8 with gaseous and pure ammonia.
2. Reaction between ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride: Ammonium chloride and sodium sulfate are obtained from the reaction of ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride. Sodium sulfate is insoluble in water and the sediment produced can be separated. By carrying out the crystallization process on the obtained solution and drying it, ammonium chloride is prepared.
3. Modified solvey reaction: This process is done to produce sodium carbonate, of which ammonium chloride is a byproduct. In this method, ammonia and carbon dioxide are dissolved in sodium chloride aqueous solution and ammonium chloride and sodium carbonate are obtained from their reaction. This method is suitable for continuous production on an industrial scale and there is a need for easy access to ammonia gas production units in factories to start the reaction.