[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, advantages of ammonium bicarbonate

Ammonium bicarbonate properties

Ammonium bicarbonate, the chemical formula is NH4.HCO, is an inorganic compound, the common state is white crystalline powder. It is easily soluble in water, the solution is weakly alkaline, but almost insoluble in ethanol and acetone. Ammonium bicarbonate has a slight ammonia odor because it decomposes when heated or exposed to air to form ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. The decomposition temperature of ammonium bicarbonate is relatively low, about 36 ° C., so it needs to be stored in a relatively low temperature and sealed environment.

Ammonium bicarbonate use

Ammonium bicarbonate is widely used in many fields such as chemical industry, agriculture and food. In agriculture, ammonium bicarbonate is used as a nitrogen fertilizer, which can quickly provide the nitrogen element needed for crop growth. Because of its low price and easy application, it is especially suitable for small-scale farmers. In the food industry, ammonium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent, especially in bakery products such as biscuits, cakes, to improve their mouthfeel and volume. Ammonium bicarbonate is also used in the production of chemical products such as dyes, pharmaceuticals and plastics, as an intermediate in chemical reactions.

Upstream raw materials

The production of ammonium bicarbonate relies mainly on ammonia and carbon dioxide as upstream feedstocks. Ammonia is usually synthesized from nitrogen and hydrogen at high temperature and pressure by the Haber process, while carbon dioxide is a by-product of burning fossil fuels or some industrial processes. These two gases react under certain conditions to produce ammonium bicarbonate, and the chemical equation is: NH3 CO₂ HO2 O→NH4 HCO. Since the raw materials required in the production process are relatively common and easy to obtain, the production cost of ammonium bicarbonate is relatively low.

Downstream Products

Ammonium bicarbonate, as an important chemical raw material, can be further used to produce a variety of downstream products. For example, in agriculture, it can be used directly as a fertilizer or mixed with other fertilizers to improve fertilizer efficiency. In the chemical industry, ammonium bicarbonate can be used to synthesize ammonium carbonate, ammonium nitrate and other compounds, these compounds have important uses in industry and agriculture. The application of ammonium bicarbonate in the food industry also provides the basis for the diversity of its downstream products, such as various baked goods, food additives, etc.

Production process

The production process of ammonium bicarbonate is mainly divided into two kinds: one is the traditional gas reaction method, and the other is the liquid phase reaction method. The gas reaction method generates ammonium bicarbonate by directly reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide under certain conditions. Liquid phase reaction law is in the solution containing ammonia into carbon dioxide, so that the reaction of ammonium bicarbonate. These two methods have their own advantages and disadvantages: the gas reaction method has simple equipment and convenient operation, but the purity of the product is relatively low; the liquid phase reaction method has higher product purity, but the process is relatively complex, requiring more sophisticated operation and control.

Environment and safety

There are some environmental and safety problems in the production and use of ammonium bicarbonate. Since ammonium bicarbonate is easily decomposed at high temperatures to produce ammonia and carbon dioxide, special attention should be paid to ventilation and temperature control during storage and use. Ammonia is irritating to the human body, and prolonged exposure may cause damage to the respiratory system, so it is necessary to wear protective equipment during operation. In terms of environment, carbon dioxide, one of the decomposition products of ammonium bicarbonate, is a greenhouse gas, which has a certain impact on climate change. Therefore, measures should be taken to reduce emissions in the production process.

market demand

The market demand for ammonium bicarbonate is mainly from the agricultural and food industries. With the growth of the global population and the importance of food safety, the demand for ammonium bicarbonate as a fertilizer and food additive continues to increase. Especially in developing countries, there is a large demand for economic fertilizers in agricultural production, which provides a broad space for the expansion of the ammonium bicarbonate market. With the increase in the consumption of baked goods, the application of ammonium bicarbonate in the food industry is also expanding.

storage method

Ammonium bicarbonate is sensitive to temperature and humidity, so its storage requires special attention to environmental conditions. Ammonium bicarbonate should be stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. In order to prevent moisture and decomposition, packaging materials with good sealing, such as plastic bags or plastic barrels, should be used, and contact with air should be minimized. During transportation, attention should also be paid to moisture-proof, heat-proof and shock-proof to ensure product quality and safety.

future development trend

The future development trend of ammonium bicarbonate is mainly affected by environmental regulations and market demand. With the global attention to environmental protection, how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the production process has become an important problem to be solved in the ammonium bicarbonate industry. With the continuous development of agricultural modernization and food industry, the demand for ammonium bicarbonate is expected to maintain a steady growth. Technological innovation and process improvement will also promote the development of the ammonium bicarbonate industry, improve product quality and production efficiency, and reduce production costs and environmental impact.

Summary

Ammonium bicarbonate, as an important chemical product, has a variety of applications. Its production relies on relatively easy-to-obtain raw materials, and the cost is low, but safety and environmental protection issues need to be paid attention to during storage and use. With the increase of market demand and the continuous progress of technology, the application prospect of ammonium bicarbonate is broad. The industry also needs to constantly respond to the challenges of environmental regulations and market changes, and stay competitive through innovation and improvement.