How is Windex (Ammonia) made?
Windex is a large company that has many different products specializing in different departments. This ultimately means that ingredients will vary depending on the product. However, Windex products mainly consists of these basic ingredients:
- Detergents
- Fragrance
- Solvents (water)
- Ammonia
Detergents
A detergent is a water-soluble cleansing agent. In Windex, the detergent is the part that gets into the grime and dirt and exposes it so you can wipe it away with a something like a paper towel. The basic ingredients of detergents are oils and petroleum based fats. They are then mixed with chemicals such as sulfuric acid, sulfur trioxide or ethylene oxide. On an industrial scale, detergents are manufactured by using the agglomeration process. A vat starts off with a filler like water. Large quantities of chemicals and agents are gradually added to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. This process typically generates 50, 000 pounds of detergent in an hour. (Discovery, 2009)
Fragrance
Fragrance is typically used by many product manufacturers to achieve a certain smell or scent. Most fragrances compose of essential oils, synthetic aroma chemicals, and aromatic resins. They are mixed/blended together. The amount of alcohol in the fragrance may vary depending on the manufacturer’s formula. Finally, the fragrance is dispensed into containers or added to another product and shipped to retailers.
Ammonia
Ammonia is made by chemically bonding hydrogen and nitrogen atoms through a special process known as The Haber Process.
The Haber Process
The Haber Process is the most common way to create ammonia on an industrial scale. Ammonia is created by utilizing nitrogen from the atmosphere and hydrogen from methane gas. These chemicals are put into a reactor that adds heat, compression, and a catalyst. The nitrogen volume to hydrogen volume ratio is 1:3. The reactor is set to 400°C – 450°C to maximize ammonia production. An iron catalyst is present to speed up the reaction without interference. The adequate pressure is 200 atmospheres to keep the cost of production minimal. Finally, the ammonia leaves the reactor in a very hot gaseous form. It is cooled down and it will eventually turn into a liquid. NOTE: This process is reversible and is exothermic. (ChemGuide, 2002)
This video goes over and highlights the key components of the Haber Process. For a more in-depth video visit this link. (Ted-Ed, 2013)
Windex - Ammonia 