Chemistry Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scientists, academics, teachers, and students in the field of chemistry. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
I am figuring out what chemicals to store with Ammonium hydroxide. At the moment a 2-shelf corrosive resistant fume hood cabinet will be used.
I have in mind storing the Ammonium hydroxide with Potassium hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide, and Calcium hydroxide on the lower shelf of the cabinet. Would this be okay? And would it be okay to store carbonates and bicarbonates on the upper shelf? Any other suggestions as to what would be okay to store together with the chemicals listed?
Many thanks!
On a personal note, I think that the somewhat popular term "ammonium hydroxide" is awfully misleading and should be avoided.
National regulations concerning occupational safety and environmental protection might vary. My suggestions are based German requirements.
According to TRGS 510, aqueous ammonia and the solid hydroxides mentioned in the question fall in the same storage class (8B Non-combustible corrosive substances) and may be stored together.
However, aqueous ammonia is a caustic aqueous solution of a gas. At elevated temperature, pressure may build up.
If you take a look at the GHS hazard statements for aqueous ammonia, you'll see H400: Very toxic to aquatic life. According to German regulations, aqueous ammonia is filed under "Wassergefährdungsklasse (WGK) 2"). You might want to make sure that no aqueous ammonia is released to the water in case of a leakage. Use suitable retention and/or make sure that all drains in the lab are connected to a central netralisation.
