Application of Ammonia Sensors in Leakage Prevention and Emergency Response

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 fertilizer, nitrate and ammonium salt manufacturing, soda ash production, as well as organic synthesis for synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes and other products.

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 ambient 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 and respiratory systems. Ammonia also adheres to skin mucous membranes and eye conjunctiva, causing irritation and inflammation. Inhalation of excessive ammonia may lead to poisoning symptoms including sore throat, chest tightness and breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, even death. To prevent workplace accidents, real-time monitoring of ammonia concentration in the working environment is indispensable.

Ammonia gas alarms fall into two categories: fixed-type and portable-type. Portable ammonia alarms are easy to carry and can be activated instantly for on-site concentration detection. A fixed ammonia alarm consists of a gas detector and a control panel. The detector is installed at monitoring sites to conduct 24/7 real-time detection via electrochemical ammonia sensors. The control panel is placed in duty rooms and other accessible areas. It receives concentration data from detectors, displays readings, triggers audible and visual alarms once concentrations exceed limits, and links up with peripheral equipment such as solenoid valves and exhaust fans.

Both portable and fixed ammonia alarms rely on a core component — the ammonia sensor. Currently, ammonia sensors are among the most widely adopted gas detection components across relevant application scenarios. Simply put, ammonia sensors work based on electrochemical reactions: the concentration of target gas is determined by measuring the induced current.

The British DDS electrochemical ammonia sensors supplied by Shenzhen Wuliang Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. require no bias voltage, featuring easy operation and high cost performance. They are a reliable and ideal choice for staff working in harsh environments.

These sensors mainly detect and display ammonia concentration. Equipped with a microprocessor control unit and high-performance electrochemical detection elements, the supporting gas alarms deliver high sensitivity and fast response. They will sound an alarm promptly when ammonia concentrations go beyond safe levels. Composed of control panels and detectors, the products are widely used in metallurgy, petroleum, petrochemicals, chemical engineering, light industry, coking, municipal engineering, gas supply, pharmaceutical manufacturing, sewage treatment and many other specialized industries.

To sum up, ammonia is a substance with both practical value and potential hazards. While it plays a vital role in numerous fields, its biological toxicity has been proven by scientific research, posing a notable health risk to humans. Its adverse impacts on the environment also deserve greater attention. As gas sensor technology continues to evolve, new application scenarios 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.