Ammonia is the most environmentally friendly refrigerant. It belongs to the group of so-called “natural” refrigerants, and it has both GWP (Global Warming Potential) and ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) equal to zero.

Some chemical/physical properties of ammonia are:

• At room temperature, ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a pungent, suffocating odor.
• Contact with ammonia is intensely irritating to the mucous membranes, eyes, and skin. Eye symptoms range from lacrimation and edema to a rise in intraocular
• It requires a large displacement per TR compared to fluorocarbons.
• In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia and is hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture).
• Ammonia has alkaline properties and is corrosive.
• It  highly reacts with copper and its alloys
• Ammonia gas dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a caustic solution, and a weak base.
• Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear liquid under pressure.
• Ammonia is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel containers.
• Ammonia is not highly flammable, but containers of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat.