Milford chronicle., 1951-08-10
"AnhydrOus Ammonia"
May Be Dangerous

May BE Dangerous
With the increasing use of new
liquid fertilizer, known as anhy-
drOus ammonia, by Delaware farm
ers, the hazards involved through
Its use are stressed by the Della
ware Safety Council.
According to the Council, NIB,
as it is frequently known, is in
liquid form and is contained in
cylinders of two types: the tube
ChorizontaD and the bottle (ver-
ticaD.
The tube type cylinder is nor
mally used in the horizontal posi-
ton. Two general types of valves
are supplied. Depending on which
type is involved, either the valve
outlet or the valve stem is at an
angle with the longitudinal axis of
the cylinder. 1t is the position of
this valve outlet or stem which de-
termines whether liquid or case
GUS ammonia will be discharged
from the cylinder. When the valve
outlet or stem is on top, the dip
pipe on the inside of the cylinder
is under the liquid, and therefore
liquid anhydrOus ammonia will be
discharged. To discharge gaseous
ammonia, the cylinder is turned SO
that the valve outlet or stem points
downward.
The bottle type, or vertical CYL
inder, will discharge ammonia as
gas when placed in an upright posi-
ton. Due to liquid ammonia eXpan-
sion, a bottle type cylinder may,
under certain elevated temperature
conditions, dis barge small
amount of liquid when the valve is
opened, and it is recommended that
bottle type cylinders be allowed to
reach room temperature before the
valve is opened. To discharge LIQUID
anhydrOus ammonia, this type of
cylinder must be placed in a hori-
zOntal position with the valve out
let pointing up
The rate at which gaseous am
mOnia can be discharged from
either type cylinder depends upon
the temperature of the surround
ing atmosphere and the surface
area of the liquid ammonia.
When the cylinder is empty, dis
connect it, insert the valve plug
and replace the cylinder protective
cap.
If bottle type cylinder has be-
come frozen down during dis
charge, never use a .pTy under the
valve end to loosen the cylinder.
Use water to loosen the cylinder or
wait for it to thaw out.
Store empty cylinders separately.
from filled cylinders and chalk
mt" on cylinders Immediately
upon emptying. Close valve, re-
place plug or put on valve outlet,
and secure valve protecting cap
snugly.
The tightly compressed liquid is
injected by a special type Guilt
VatOr into the soil. NIB vapOrizes
at atmospheric temperature and
pressure and during this process a
gas is emitted which radiates into
approximately seven inches Of soil
in every direction.
The Council offers the following
rules for handling anhydrOus am
mOnia cylinders:
% Never subject cylinders
to rough handling or to alb
normal mechanical shock such
as dropping or humping.
(2) Avoid dragging or slid
ing cylinders. It is safer to
move bottle type cylinders even
short distances by using a suit
able truck rather than by tilt
ting or rolling them on their
bottom edges.
90 Do not place or handle
cylinders where they might
form part of an electrical cir
cult.
(4) Do not remove valve pro-
lection until ready to withdraw
ammonia from the cylinder.
60 Cylinders, whether full or
empty, should never be used
as rollers for moving heavy or
bulky articles.
CO. Keep away from heat.
CD Do not store in sunlight.
Storage should be dry and cool.
(8) Be sure connections are
tight.
The health hazards involved are |
numerous. Anhydrous liquid ann
monia produces severe burns on
contact due not only to its caustic |
action but also to the freezing effect |
produced by rapid evaporation of
liquid ammonia. Do not get 1t In /
eyes, on skin, or clothing. In case
of contact, Immediately flush skin |
and eyes with plenty of water for
E least 10 minutes Call a physician |
at once in case of burns, especially
to the eyes, nose and throat, OF, II |
the victim is unconscious.
Ammonia gas in concentrations
OF % TO 1 per cent by volume IS
iethal within a few minutes. Irri-
tation OF the eyes. respiratory tract,
ana throat results from eOncentra-
tons as low as DOS tn OIL per cent?
2 concentration Of OF nar cent Dro-
duces convulsive coughing and may
be fatal after a short exposure,
+ e. less than half an hour.
AnhYdrous ammonia Is shipped
y tank cars and IN cylinders Of 25.
BOO, 100 and $50 mound capacity
as liquified gas under pressure. II I
Is classified by lhe Interstate Com
MERGE Commission as a nOnlnflam-
nable compressed gas. i