The Ministry of Science and Technology has said that it has developed a new composite membrane called Mixed Matrix Membrane, which helps in the detection of ammonia or other amine leaks in laboratories or industrial settings.
- Ammonia and other aliphatic amines, hazardous for human beings, are used as raw materials for chemical, fertilizer and food industries.
- Therefore, detecting these chemicals is essential for effective environmental and water monitoring and is extremely important for preventing onsite gas leakage and disasters.
- The Research team at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali which is an autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology have developed this membrane.
- Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are considered a new-generation membrane for gas purification applications.
Ammonia
- Ammonia or other aliphatic amines are extensively used as raw material or intermediate products in many chemical, fertilizer, and food industries.
- They are highly toxic and corrosive and become widely dispersed in the environment. They can quickly oxidize in water to produce several N-nitrosamines, which are very hazardous.
- Even direct contact with amines can cause severe respiratory irritation and skin burns.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a workplace threshold limit of 50 ppm for NH3. Concentrations above this level can lead to severe and potentially fatal health issues.
- Thus, detecting ammonia and aliphatic amines, whether in vapor or liquid form, at both high and low concentrations is essential for effective environmental and water monitoring and are extremely important for preventing onsite gas leakage and disasters.
