A Complete Guide to Transporting Ammonia

Ammonia (NH3) is a common household product many people recognise but may not fully understand its uses.

Due to its toxic nature and flammability, ammonia needs to be transported carefully, as any accident can endanger anyone within its vicinity. 

Suttons Group plays a key role in the transportation of ammonia throughout the UK and with almost 100 years of experience, we understand the importance of delicate delivery and well-thought-out planning when delivering a hazardous product such as ammonia.

This blog will provide you with an insight into the process of transportation of ammonia by road.

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is an inorganic, colourless gas with a pungent smell. It is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen and is lighter than air, allowing it to rise.

Ammonia is also naturally produced by the human body and naturally occurs in nature. It presents in soil due to bacterial processes, usually from natural processes such as decay. All decaying things, such as dying plants, produce ammonia.

The use of Ammonia

The transportation of ammonia is an essential practice due to its large use. Ammonia can be used in almost every primary manufacturing industry and process.

Ammonia in Agriculture

Ammonia is vital for the success of the agricultural industry. 80% ammonia that is produced is used in agriculture.  

Ammonia’s main use in agriculture is as fertiliser, as it attracts nitrogen, which is vital for nutrients and plant health. This is why ammonia transportation is so popular: the UK has a thriving agricultural industry. 

Ammonia can also be used to make pesticides, so it is crucial to the running and success of the entire industry. 

Refrigeration and Purification

Something that is not commonly known is that ammonia is actually vital for refrigeration, it is a gas that can easily undergo liquefaction so it can be used as a refrigerant quite easily. 

Ammonia is more commonly known as an aid in purifying water supplies. It has been used to treat drinking water for over 100 years, as it boosts the disinfecting properties of chlorine, which is also used to treat water. 

Other uses of ammonia include:

• Manufacturing of plastics. 
• Creation of explosives. 
• Use in the textile industry, including dyes.
• A key component in the food and beverage industry. 

As you can see, the world uses ammonia in many industries, so it is crucial that it is transported efficiently and safely by road.

Before discussing the process we follow to transport ammonia, it is important to understand the regulations we must follow for every delivery. These regulations control both the packing and transportation parts of the process. 

Following ADR Regulations

ADR regulations are a set of guidelines developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe(UNECE). Any company transporting hazardous goods is required to comply with these regulations.

Since ammonia is a hazardous gas, it is covered by the Agreement Concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

These regulations apply to the transportation process, but they also impact classification, labelling, and packaging. 

Critical aspects of ADR that apply to transporting Ammonia include:

• Classification: Companies must classify substances and articles based on their inherent hazards.
• Documentation: Documentation must accompany all hazardous materials during road transportation.
• Packaging:  Safe containment is essential when transporting a hazardous good such as ammonia, so packing must meet the ADR’s requirements before transporting goods.
• Marking and Labelling: Labels and markings on the goods’ packaging and the tanker truck itself must identify the nature of the goods and indicate whether they are hazardous.
• Appropriate Driver Training: Before a driver can transport hazardous materials, they must have suitable credentials, such as the ADR Vocational Training Certificate (VTC).
• Vehicle Exigencies: All transport vehicles must comply with specified standards, including the use of appropriate equipment and markings.

At Suttons, before we can complete a delivery, we have the responsibility to ensure that all of these requirements are met, including the safety of our drivers and the general public. 

Specific Conditions For Ammonia Transport

Certain conditions must be met for every gas to be safely transported. This is because gases are made up of different compounds and need different conditions to remain stable. 

Conditions must be met when transporting ammonia to ensure safety and that the product reaches its destination in the same quality as it left. 

When transporting ammonia, it is important that it stays cool and refrigerated to maintain a temperature below 0°C. This is because when the temperature of ammonia increases, so does its toxicity. 

To maintain its temperature, the tanker that it is transported in has to be insulated and under strict pressure control. 

What is the Process of Transporting Ammonia?

Now that you understand more about ammonia, we will examine how we transport it at Suttons and the equipment we require to do so.

Tanker Trucks

We have an extensive fleet of high-standard tanker trucks ready to transport a variety of gas and fuels throughout the UK. 

As a haulier, we prioritise safety and efficiency, which is why we utilise state-of-the-art, technologically advanced tankers for road transport.

Due to the hazardous nature of ammonia, we use specially designed tankers that are equipped to transport ammonia safely.  

When we transport ammonia, we transport it as a pressurised liquefied gas, so the tankers we use are the best solution for maintaining its state, as we can heavily regulate the conditions within the tankers.

Loading Ammonia

Before ammonia is loaded into our tankers, we take the time to ensure that everything is in order and safe.

Initially, the tanker is inspected to check that there is no contamination from previous gases. 

We also make sure that any necessary documents concerning the products are in order before we even consider loading any ammonia into our tankers.

Health and safety is a key priority during this process. Our operators wear the necessary PPE to ensure that they are protected from exposure to ammonia. This PPE includes;

• Face shields.
• Goggles.
• Gloves.
• Protective clothing.

Once we have ensured health and safety meet our standards, we can start transferring the ammonia into our tanker. 

We connect the ammonia tank to our tankers using a specialised hose and specialised couplings. Once these are secured, our operators will check the integrity of the setup to prevent possible leaks.

Grounding the tankers is a crucial step in our unloading process. Ammonia is highly flammable, and it is important to prevent static electricity from igniting it. 

The Pump System

A closed-loop system transports ammonia from tank to tank to minimise the release of ammonia vapour. Proper venting procedures manage the pressure inside the tanker during this part of the process.

Before the driver is allowed to take the ammonia to the client, everything is checked for leaks. 

Transportation of ammonia by road can be hazardous, so we aim to guarantee that all safety expectations are met before we set off to deliver to customers.

Unloading Ammonia

After all of the necessary documentation has been verified, we can then unload the ammonia for the customer. Our unloading process is not too dissimilar from our loading process. 

Once all the necessary documentation is completed, ammonia-resistant hoses and couplings are used to transfer the ammonia from the tanker to the chosen storage facility. This entire process is closely monitored, and automatic shut-off mechanisms are activated in case of any irregularities.

Upon completion, the hoses are carefully disconnected, and operators then conduct checks to inspect for leaks or residual ammonia. The tanker is then deep-cleaned and prepared for its next use. 

Comprehensive Route Planning

At Suttons, we always take the quickest and most efficient route when transporting ammonia. This ensures that it arrives promptly at your location, allowing you to prepare it for your desired use. 

Getting the product to you quickly is important, but safety is always the priority. 

Our team plans the best route that minimises risk, which usually means avoiding densely populated areas and checking ahead for roadworks that may disturb or delay the process. 

If an obstacle in the route is identified, we will find the best solution and pick a new route for the tanker driver to follow. 

It is important that we also include service stops in our routes, as this gives our drivers a chance to rest. This stop also allows them the opportunity to inspect the tankers and ensure that they are meeting safety standards. 

While we maintain a strong focus on the safety and condition of our tankers, we also prioritise the well-being of our drivers. We carefully plan each route with their safety in mind.

Thanks to our communication systems, drivers can contact the central operations team, so if a problem arises, we can fix it. 

Environmental Considerations When Transporting by Road.

When transporting any hazardous gas, there are always associated environmental risks that we have to take into consideration, including:

• Ground contamination. 
• Eutrophication (accelerated algal bloom)
• Vapour release impacts air quality. 
• Major spills.
• Fire hazards.

All of these risks could have a detrimental effect on the environment if they were to happen, so, at Suttons, we make time for additional safety measures.

How we Ensure Environmental Safety

Given the potential severity of these environmental impacts, we take proactive measures to ensure the safety of both the community and the environment.

As we’ve detailed throughout this blog, conducting thorough risk assessments is essential to maintaining a safe transportation process. Ongoing, detailed evaluations enable us to continuously monitor and improve our safety protocols, ensuring that we minimise environmental risks and uphold the highest standards of safety.

Transporting Ammonia with Suttons Tankers

From this blog, it should be clear just how important safety is to us here at Suttons. Though transporting ammonia by road involves many risks, we are more than prepared to deal with them. 

Suttons Tankers is at the forefront of ammonia logistics, making us an easy choice for any of your transportation needs.

If you need or work with ammonia and are looking for a dependable logistics company, contact our team of experts today.