Most people are not very familiar with ammonia. In fact, however, we are frequently exposed to it in daily life. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong pungent odor and is lighter than air. Long-term exposure to ammonia may harm human health. As an essential chemical raw material in industry, ammonia is widely used to produce urea, soda ash, ammonium nitrogen fertilizer and nitric acid. It is also applied in the organic synthesis industry to manufacture synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes and other products.
Application of Ammonia Sensors in Gas Leakage Incidents
With the rapid development of China’s industrial economy in recent years, ammonia emissions from various industries into the atmosphere have been on the rise, exerting an increasingly prominent impact on the climate. For one thing, atmospheric ammonia reacts with gaseous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides to form secondary aerosol particles. These particles absorb and scatter light, reducing atmospheric visibility. For another, ammonia released into the atmosphere acts as a greenhouse gas and affects atmospheric temperature.
Nevertheless, ammonia emissions and their impacts on the atmospheric environment and climate have long been insufficiently addressed. Excessively high ammonia concentrations pose threats to human health. Prolonged exposure can irritate and damage human skin tissues and respiratory systems. Ammonia can also adhere to the skin mucous membranes and conjunctiva, causing irritation and inflammation. Inhalation of excessive ammonia may lead to poisoning symptoms including sore throat, chest tightness and breathing difficulties, and even result in death. To prevent on-site work accidents, real-time monitoring of ambient ammonia concentration is indispensable.
Ammonia gas alarms are divided into fixed and portable types. Portable ammonia alarms are easy to carry and can detect ammonia concentration anytime after startup. A fixed ammonia alarm consists of a gas detector and a gas controller. The detector is installed on-site for 24/7 real-time monitoring and adopts an electrochemical ammonia sensor to measure gas concentration. The controller is placed in accessible areas such as duty rooms. It receives concentration data from the detector, displays readings, triggers audible and visual alarms once the concentration exceeds the limit, and links up with external devices such as solenoid valves and exhaust fans.
The core component of both portable and fixed ammonia alarms is the ammonia sensor. Currently, ammonia sensors are widely adopted in gas detection scenarios. Simply put, these sensors work based on electrochemical reactions: the concentration of the target gas is determined by measuring the induced current.
The British DDS electrochemical ammonia sensor supplied by
Shenzhen Wuliang Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. requires no bias voltage, featuring easy operation and high cost performance. It is a reliable gas sensor and an ideal choice for staff working in harsh environments.
Key Features of Ammonia Sensors
Measuring Range: Optional ranges of 0-100ppm, 0-300ppm and 0-1000ppm
Overload Resistance: Up to 200ppm, 500ppm and 1500ppm respectively
Excellent stability (4-series and 7-series models available)
Strong environmental adaptability
This type of sensor mainly detects and displays ammonia concentration. The matching gas alarm adopts a microprocessor as the control unit and high-performance electrochemical detection sensors, delivering high sensitivity and fast response. It will sound an alarm promptly when ammonia concentration goes beyond the safe level. Composed of gas controllers and detectors, the product is widely used in metallurgy, petroleum, petrochemicals, chemical industry, light industry, coking, municipal engineering, gas supply, pharmaceutical manufacturing, wastewater treatment and many other special industries.
To sum up, ammonia is a gas with both practical value and potential risks. Though it plays a vital role in numerous fields, its biological toxicity has been proven by scientific research, making it a hidden danger to human health. Its adverse impacts on the environment also deserve greater attention. With the continuous advancement of gas sensor technology, new applications and market demands will keep emerging. This will drive the sustained development of the gas sensor industry, and bring users eco-friendly, safe, healthy, convenient, innovative and valuable experiences, benefiting the general public.
