Safety of ammonia for use in ships. Part 1 - Ammonia: properties, regulations and accidents review

Task 1 of this study presents an extensive analysis of ammonia properties and characteristics and how these are applicable as marine fuel. The main hazard of ammonia in comparison to other conventional and alternatives fuels is toxicity (can start being an occupational hazard from low concentrations (20 ppm for 8 hours exposure - 50 ppm for 15 min exposure) and become a threat for life when in higher concentrations (300 ppm for 30 min exposure - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health)), and corrosivity. This study provides an analysis of the toxicity and exposure limits of ammonia comparing several regulatory frameworks. Aside from toxicity, the general behaviour of ammonia was investigated, how this reacts with air and water and how that affects other materials with its corrosive nature and through the stress corrosion cracking.

This report includes a review of the current onshore and offshore regulatory framework related to the use and transport of ammonia and acknowledges that there is still work to do to address properly the safety hazards of ammonia as fuel.