Storage and Distribution of Ammonia

This chapter deals with the current practices, methods, and facilities used to safely store and distribute ammonia safely. As a commodity, ammonia is stored and posteriorly distributed on a global scale over a great variety of distances. It can be used either directly or as a raw material for downstream applications. The ammonia distribution system consists of sea and land transportation routes to and from large storage terminals and/or smaller storage systems at retailer or end-user locations. Ammonia is typically transported in liquid state and therefore needs to be compressed, cooled, or both. Stress corrosion cracking, which can occur under distribution and operating conditions, is a primary concern when storing and handling ammonia. The phenomenon is discussed in this chapter in relation to its impact on common service metals under operational conditions. Furthermore, different approaches to abate this phenomenon are outlined. Finally, a case study discussing the use of current natural gas lines for ammonia transport is also described, demonstrating some contemporary ideas on future utilization of natural gas lines as carriers of different compounds, including ammonia. These results suggest that although such repurposing is possible, several factors would need to be included and reconsidered to enable this distribution path.