Ammonium Carbonate

Brief Overview

Ammonium carbonate is a salt that was the predecessor of baking soda and baking powder.

Manufacturing Process

Ammonium carbonate may be manufactured in two ways:

• Sublimation of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate

                                                           (NH₄)₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ → (NH₄)₂CO₃ + CaSO₄

• Gaseous carbon dioxide is passed into an absorption column containing aqueous ammonia solution causing distillation. Vapors containing ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water condense to form a solid mass of crystals.

                                                                     2 NH₃ + CO₂ + H₂O → (NH₄)₂CO₃

Food Industry

• Leavening agent
• Acidity regulator

Medical Industry

• Active ingredient in cough syrup
• Emetic

Other Applications

• Main component of smelling salts
• Ingredient in smokeless tobacco products
• Photographic lens cleaning agent
• Luring agent for apple maggots