Liquid Ammonia vs. Liquor Ammonia — What's the Difference?

Liquid ammonia, being pure ammonia in a liquid state, is predominantly utilized in industrial contexts, such as refrigeration and in the production of fertilizers. Liquor ammonia, commonly referenced in household contexts, is notable for its use in cleaning supplies, usually existing as a solution of ammonia gas dissolved in water, presenting a distinct utility and application compared to its liquid counterpart.

While liquid ammonia is widely used in large-scale applications like the production of nitric acid and other chemicals due to its concentrated and reactive nature, liquor ammonia is often found in smaller-scale, often domestic, settings, due to its ability to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces. Hence, industrial manufacturing prefers the former, while everyday cleaning and minor disinfecting often involve the latter.

Liquid ammonia, due to its potent nature and high reactivity, demands strict storage and handling protocols to ensure safety during its transportation and utilization. Liquor ammonia, being diluted with water, is generally safer to handle and store, making it more applicable for domestic use where stringent safety protocols may be less feasible.

A stark contrast between liquid ammonia and liquor ammonia lies in their chemical formulations and physical states; while the former is characterized by NH3 in a liquid form, the latter, also known as ammonium hydroxide, can be chemically represented as NH4OH, indicating the presence of water and a different chemical composition.

Liquid ammonia, possessing the ability to readily evaporate, is often used in refrigeration systems due to its high latent heat of vaporization. Conversely, liquor ammonia, due to its diluted nature and reduced volatility compared to pure ammonia, is less suitable for such applications but finds its niche in cleaning, neutralizing, and minor disinfecting tasks due to its less aggressive properties.