Ammonium Bicarbonate (NH4HcO3)

What is Ammonium Bicarbonate?

This substance has two industrial grades (Chemical Grade) and food grade (Food Grade) in powder form and is used as an additive in various industries to increase the quality of the final product and has wide applications.

Ammonium bicarbonate, with the chemical formula NH₄HCO₃, is a white, crystalline solid with the appearance of small, white granules or powder. It is commonly known as baking ammonia or hartshorn. This compound is derived from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide in water, forming a weakly basic, bicarbonate salt.

Technical Specifications:

• Chemical name: Ammonium Bicarbonate
• Chemical formula: NH4HCO3
• Melting point: 35 to 60 degrees Celsius
• Solubility in water: 24.8 g/100 ml of water (at 25°C)
• Appearance: white powder
• Grade: edible, industrial

Other names of ammonium bicarbonate

Ammonium bicarbonate is known by many names, reflecting the long history of use of this compound. It is known as ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium acid carbonate, monoammonium carbonate, monoammonium salt of carbonic acid and powdered ammonia.

The main uses of ammonium bicarbonate

1. Food industry: as a fermentation agent, especially in the production of baking powder
2. Fire industry: in the production of fire extinguishing compounds
3. Descaler (in heat exchangers and boilers)
4. Plastic and rubber industries (especially sponge rubber)

Other uses:

• plant fertilizer
• leather tanning
• Rubber production
• Ceramic production
• Synthesis of catalysts
• Frozen dairy products
• Pharmaceutical industries such as expectorant cough syrup
• Production of fire retardant materials and special fire clothing
• And...

Here are some key properties and uses of ammonium bicarbonate:

Ammonium Bicarbonate Formula

1. Chemical Properties:

   • Formula: NH₄HCO₃
   • Molecular Weight: 79.06 g/mol
   • Solubility: Soluble in water
   • Decomposition: Ammonium bicarbonate decomposes upon heating, releasing ammonia, water, and carbon dioxide gases.

2. Applications:

   • Food Industry: Ammonium bicarbonate has been traditionally used as a leavening agent in baking, especially for flat pastries like cookies and crackers. It reacts with acidic components in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise.
   • Agriculture: It is used as a source of ammonia for agricultural applications, particularly in soil conditioning and as a fertilizer ingredient.
   • Chemical Industry: Ammonium bicarbonate is used in various chemical processes, including in the production of ceramics, dyes, pigments, and pharmaceuticals.

3. Safety Considerations:

   • Ammonium bicarbonate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in food according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
   • However, it is important to handle it with care due to its potential to release ammonia gas upon decomposition, which can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory system.
   • Ingestion or inhalation of large amounts of ammonium bicarbonate can be harmful and may cause nausea, vomiting, or respiratory distress.

Overall, while ammonium bicarbonate has several industrial and food-related applications, proper handling and safety precautions should always be observed due to its chemical properties and potential hazards.

Ammonium Bicarbonate ph

The pH of a solution containing ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) typically ranges between 7.5 and 8.5 when dissolved in water.

What is Ammonium Bicarbonate?