Increase Safety & Maximize Productivity with Innovative Loading Solutions 

What is ammonium hydroxide? 

Ammonium hydroxide, also called aqueous ammonia, ammonia solution, or ammonia water is a solution of ammonia gas in water. Ammonia hydroxide is a colorless aqueous solution with a pungent aroma. Typically used as a cleaning agent in common industrial and household cleaners, ammonium hydroxide is also used in the manufacture of products such as rayon, fertilizer, rubber, and plastic. Corrosive to aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys, and galvanized surfaces. aqueous ammonia is specified at concentrations of 19%, 25%, or 29% pure ammonia. Commercial grade anhydrous ammonia, however, is 99.5 to 99.7% pure, with a minimum of 0.3% water content.

In the United States, ammonium hydroxide is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation and is loaded and unloaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” stainless steel loading arms. If not handled properly ammonium hydroxide can cause serious injuries and personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, high-quality fall prevention systems are essential to ensure operator safety while increasing throughput.

Ammonium hydroxide is typically shipped in 26,000 gallon DOT-111 insulated or non-insulated tank cars with safety valves.  The rails cars themselves are ~ 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~45’ to 50′, with a 6’ x 6’ center opening or off-set crash box openings.