Shipping and storage of liquid ammonia: Liquid ammonia for industrial use is transported in containers made of which material?

Introduction / Context:
Liquid ammonia (NH3) is transported and stored under pressure or at low temperature. Container materials must provide mechanical integrity and compatibility with ammonia and trace impurities.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Industrial shipping containers, cylinders, rail cars, and tanks.
• Ambient temperature pressure service (or refrigerated tanks).
• Materials must resist ammonia stress corrosion cracking where relevant.

Concept / Approach:
Carbon steel and specific low-alloy steels are standard for ammonia service. They deliver high strength, weldability, and low cost. Nonferrous metals like copper and zinc are avoided due to ammonia attack. Glass is impractical structurally, and lead-lining is not required for NH3 containment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Eliminate unsuitable choices: glass is fragile; lead-lining is used for strong acids, not NH3.Consider compatibility: aluminium can suffer in certain ammonia environments and is not the standard for pressurized transport.Select steel as the established code-compliant choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Chemical storage standards and tank car codes specify steel construction for anhydrous ammonia vessels, with appropriate stress-relief and inspection regimes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Aluminium: not common for pressurized NH3 shipping. Glass: structurally unsuitable. Lead-lined: unnecessary and incompatible for this service.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing ammonia compatibility with aqueous ammonia cleaning applications; structural design governs container choice.

Final Answer:
Steel