Ammonium Chloride

What is Ammonium Chloride?

Molecular Formula (Ammonium Chloride): NH4Cl

Molecular Weight: 53.49 g/mol

Chemical Name: Ammonium Chloride

CAS Number: 12125-02-9

It is in the class of inorganic chemical substances. It is an inorganic salt also known as chloramine or halogen sand.

It consists of Ammonium (NH4+) and Chloride (Cl-) ions.

It occurs naturally on coal deposits formed from the condensation of coal-derived gases.

It is the salt form of Ammonia and hydrochloric acid. It is also a systemic urinary acidifying salt.

Other Names for Ammonium Chloride are as Follows;

• Ammonium Muriate
• Sal Ammoniac
• 12125-02-9
• Salmiac (Nishador)
• NH4Cl
• Ammonium Chloride
• Ammonial Chloride

How is Ammonium Chloride Produced?

There are several methods through which its production takes place. Among these, there are cases where it is obtained as a by-product.

It can be obtained as a by-product in this process while Sodium Bicarbonate is produced by the Solvay method.

It can be found naturally in the craters of volcanic mountains.

At the same time, it is obtained by the neutralization reaction of Ammonia and Hydrochloric acid. The equation for this reaction is as follows.

NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl

If the chemical substance produced here is heated, Ammonia and Hydrochloric acid decompose. If the mouth of the vessel used for heating is open, the reaction becomes irreversible. That is, it is one-way.

NH₄Cl + (HEAT) → NH₃ + HCl

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

It is a colorless cubic form or a white crystalline powder. It is a chemical substance with a salty, slightly acidic taste.

The melting point is 338 °C.

Its density is 1.5 g/cm³.

Density: 1.53 g/cm³

Boiling Point: Sublimates

Solubility: Very soluble in water.

It has hygroscopic properties. Highly concentrated ammonium chloride can crystallize if stored in cold environments. Additionally, it is a stable chemical when stored under normal conditions.

In terms of solubility, it is 39.5 g / 100 g Water at 25 °C. In addition, it has almost no solubility in Acetone, Ether, and Ethyl Acetate.

It shows solubility of 0.6 g / 100 ml Ethyl Alcohol in Ethyl Alcohol at a temperature of 20 °C.

What are the Usage Areas of Ammonium Chloride?

• It can be used to provide hardness during the production of paint, varnish, and plastics.
• In the Agricultural Sector, it is used as a nitrogen source for the fertilization of rice and wheat. It is especially needed in rice-growing areas in regions that receive heavy rain. It is not used directly in areas in direct contact with seeds in the agricultural sector.
• The yield obtained from its use as fertilizer in paddy fields is higher than that of ammonium sulfate.
• Formaldehyde-based adhesives have hardening problems. It acts as a hardening agent during the manufacture of such adhesives.
• It is the main component in the manufacture of many ammonium compounds. These are; Ammonium Bicarbonate, Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate etc. substances.
• Used in the manufacture of explosives.
• Ammonium chloride salt deposits may occur in almost every part of oil refineries. Especially fluid catalytic cracking fractionation columns can initiate contamination by these ammonium salts. High temperatures occurring in fluid catalytic cracking units will increase this risk.
• Certain ammonium additives are used to prevent such ammonium compound contamination and reduce it to low levels. It has high basic properties.
• By using it in the production of other fibrous agricultural products, primarily cotton production, production efficiency and fiber quality in the plant can be increased.
• It is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of accumulators and dry batteries. The purpose here is to provide the ions needed for electrical charge transfer.
• As a medical use area, it has stimulating effects on the respiratory mucosa. It is used to discharge and remove phlegm adhering to the mucosa.
• When used in the food sector, it acts as a food additive in bread making and as a nutrient in yeast. For this, food-grade compounds are used.
• Used for the treatment of viral infections (partial necrosis) caused by toxic substances and autoimmune reactions in the liver.
• Used as a hardening agent in the production of wet glass fibers. One of its most important features is its ability to disperse in water.
• Ammonium Chloride is used as a urea source in L-Glutamic Acid production. Being an inexpensive chemical substance is one of the most important reasons for its use in such applications.
• In foundry furnaces, it is used to fan the furnaces.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

The price of Ammonium Chloride is directly dependent on the prices of the chemical substances used in its production. If the prices of Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid increase, prices will rise.

If rice planting increases in the agricultural sector, the price of ammonium chloride will increase because the consumption rate of this chemical will increase.

If companies selling Ammonium Chloride increase their stocks, prices will experience a short-term decrease.