What is the Difference Between Liquid Ammonia and Liquor Ammonia?

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The main difference between liquid ammonia and liquor ammonia lies in their chemical composition and solvent properties. Here are the key differences:

  • Liquid Ammonia:
  • Ammonia gas is compressed under pressure to obtain liquid ammonia.
  • Its chemical formula is NH3.
  • It is a non-aqueous ionizing solvent.
  • It is used for fertilizer production, as a nitrogen source for microorganisms in fermentation, and in ice plants and cold storage as a refrigerant.
  • Liquor Ammonia:
  • It is a concentrated solution of ammonia in water, also known as ammonium hydroxide.
  • Its chemical formula is NH4OH.
  • It is an aqueous ammonia solution.
  • It is used as a cleansing agent, a precursor to alkyl amines, in food production as a leavening product, and for the treatment of straw for cattle.

To summarize, liquid ammonia is a compressed form of gaseous ammonia, while liquor ammonia is a solution of ammonia in water. Both substances have different chemical compositions and applications, with liquid ammonia being a non-aqueous ionizing solvent and liquor ammonia being an aqueous ammonia solution.

Comparative Table: Liquid Ammonia vs Liquor Ammonia

Here is a table summarizing the differences between liquid ammonia and liquor ammonia:

Property Liquid Ammonia Liquor Ammonia
Definition Liquid ammonia is obtained by compressing ammonia gas under pressure. Liquor ammonia is a saturated solution of ammonia in water.
Chemical Formula NH3 NH4OH
Uses Liquid ammonia is used in ice plants and cold storage as a refrigerant. Liquor ammonia is used as a good cleansing agent and a good emulsifier.
Composition Contains NH3 molecules. Contains NH4OH molecules.

The key difference between liquid ammonia and liquor ammonia is their chemical composition. Liquid ammonia contains NH3 molecules, while liquor ammonia contains NH4OH molecules. Additionally, liquid ammonia is a pure anhydrous ammonia without any water content, whereas liquor ammonia is a solution containing ammonia and water.