Abstract : Ammonium nitrite is highly unstable, both in a dry state and in concentrated aqueous solutions. When such solutions are used industrially
they are normally stored at a pH of 8 - 9 and a temperature of 5C. or less. The effect of additions of chromium compounds on the decomposition of
ammonium nitrite solutions was studied, under isothermic and non-isothermic conditions. It was found that such compounds catalyze the decomposition of
ammonium nitrite more intensely than HCl. This led to the conclusion that contamination by even small amounts of such compounds should be carefully
avoided in industrial work with ammonium nitrite solutions in order to minimize the danger of explosive decomposition. |