Ammonia Gas Leak | 17 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

An ammonia gas leak at an ice factory in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, raised concerns among residents.  

Key Points  

  • About Ammonia: 
    • Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless gas with a pungent odor that is widely used in industry and occurs naturally in  the environment and the human body . 
    • It is produced by the Haber-Bosch process (N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃) at high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst . 
    • Its concentrated form is corrosive and can cause burns or explosions at high temperatures . It is stored as a compressed liquid . 
    • It is highly soluble in water and forms ammonium hydroxide on contact with water . 
    • It has 9 times higher energy density than Li-ion batteries and 3 times higher than compressed hydrogen , making it a promising carbon-free energy carrier . 
  • Major Applications: 

 Uses of Ammonia