VALVE WORLD CONFERENCE 2026

Ammonia has long been recognized as a key component in the chemical industry, particularly for the production of fertilizers and several other chemical products. In recent years, the growing demand for decarbonisation and the increasing integration of renewable energy sources have renewed interest in ammonia not only as a chemical commodity but also as a potential energy carrier. Due to its high hydrogen content and established industrial infrastructure, ammonia is increasingly considered a promising medium for energy storage and transportation within emerging energy systems.
Despite these advantages, ammonia handling poses several technical challenges for industrial equipment.
The critical nature of ammonia service is also reflected in industrial accident statistics, where valve failures are frequently identified as one of the recurring causes of plant incidents. For this reason, valves operating in ammonia systems must ensure high levels of environmental sealing, internal tightness, and reliable operability under the expected operating conditions.
This work provides an overview of technical solutions adopted for valves used in ammonia production plants, storage facilities, and marine loading and unloading systems. A clear understanding of the challenges associated with ammonia service, together with the development of appropriate engineering solutions, enables the implementation of reliable equipment for these critical applications.