However, it will support and increase the rate of combustion in the presence of flammable or combustible materials even in the absence of oxygen. Pdf exergy analysis of ammonium nitrate production plants. Ammonium nitrate, by itself, is not considered to be a donor when applying this table. In an ideal stechiometrically balanced reaction, anfo is composed of. The aim of this study was to understand and control the gasification rates in ammonium nitrate emulsion explosive using ammonium nitratesodium nitrite reaction. How to develop an extremely lethal bomb using ammonium.
You combine ammonia and nitric acid, and youre done. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound which is solid at room temperature and atstandard pressure. The ammonium part sticks around longer without evaporating, so its great for hot summer fields, and the nitrate is easily used by plants. Ammonium nitrate also is employed to modify the detonation rate of other explosives, such as nitroglycerin in the socalled ammonia dynamites, or as an oxidizing agent in the ammonals, which are mixtures of ammonium nitrate and powdered aluminum. It is a white crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water. What causes fertilizer explosions ammonium nitrate. Explosion hazards of ammonium nitrate under fire exposure by r. It is used in agriculture as a highnitrogen fertilizer and also used as an oxidizing agent in explosives. Ammonium nitrate of any grade, including fertilizer grade should be considered. Ammonium nitrate is a colourless, crystalline substance melting point 169.
Ammonium nitrate is a colourless crystalline substance melting point 169. The most basic an explosive is called anfo ammonium nitratefuel oil. The importance of ammonium nitrate an in the production of explosive materials is similar to that in the agricultural industry. The variability in the explosion temperature range may be attributed to the multiplicity of possible ammonium nitrate decomposition reaction mechanisms in the. Ammonium nitrate has been used as a high explosive because it is unstable and decomposes into several gaseous substances. What causes fertilizer explosions ammonium nitrate live. Ammonium nitrate ph measurement is an important part of the process of maintaining the compound in its liquid state. Because solid ammonium nitrate can undergo explosive decomposition when heated in a confined space, government regulations have been. The disaster began with an explosion on a french freighter filled with more than 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Amatol is an explosive material from a mixture of trinitrotoluene tnt and ammonium nitrate. Study of incompatibility of ammonium nitrate and its. An explosive composition comprising a particulate ammonium nitrate phase in admixture with an aqueous solution phase saturated with respect to ammonium nitrate, particulate metal sensitizer and a thickening agent for the aqueous solution phase.
Booklet nr 6 production of ammonium nitrate and calcium. But ammonium nitrate must also be stored at very high temperatures to prevent crystallization. Normally, i recommend trial and error as a development methodology in a case like this, but heres a tip. The blast and ensuing fires left at least 576 people dead and 5,000 injured. The prill is coated with a trace amount of a waxy anticaking material to enhance flowability and handling characteristics. Ammonium nitrate chemical economics handbook ceh ihs. Ammonium nitrate and its starring role in fertilizer. The explosive properties of an are relatively low, but its mixtures with many fuels are typical. Apr 18, 20 the explosive force occurs when solid ammonium nitrate decomposes very rapidly into two gases, nitrous oxide and water vapor. Ammonium sulfate, in addition to being a fertilizer, is a fire suppressant. The most efficient mixed an explosives using fuels other than fuel oil can exceed tnt equivalency. Production of ammonium nitrate is a very explosive reaction, so we safely produce it wi more. Ammonium nitrate was mined in the past however, presently the chemical is synthetically manufactured. Theoretical and experimental study of the reaction between.
Balance the equation, determine how many mols of ammonium nitrate based on its weight, divide the second result by the first, multiply the right side the equation by this result to determine the mols of each gas produced. It is predominantly used in agriculture as a highnitrogen fertilizer. It has the chemical formula n h 4 n o 3, simplified to n 2 h 4 o 3. Table of distances bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms. The mechanism of the spontaneous detonation of ammonium nitrate. Its other major use is as a component of explosive mixtures used. In march 2010 the afghan government banned ammonium nitrate fertilizer so the insurgents have begun to smuggle it into the country. Pdf ammonium nitrate explosion hazards researchgate. Ammonium nitrate isnt even classed as an explosive, oxley said.
Sandia labs researcher develops fertilizer without the. There are safer alternatives to ammonium nitrate fertilizer. This reaction produces n2 gas which is the sensitizer in emulsion explosives. Ammonium nitrate is relatively stable at room temperature, with insensitivity to the hit, collision or friction. Best available techniques for pollution prevention and control in the european fertilizer industry. Forshey5 abstract an attempt has been made in this investigation to define the conditions under which ammonium nitrate an might detonate as a result of involvement in fire. Detonation properties of mixtures of ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate nh4no3 or h4n2o3 cid 22985 structure, chemical names, physical. The composition of ammonal used at messines was 65% ammonium nitrate, 17% aluminium, 15% trinitrotoluene tnt, and 3% charcoal. Pdf ammonium nitrate an primarily is used as a fertilizer but it is also very. Breakthrough on effort to create nonexplosive fertilizer.
Its other major use is as a component of explosive mixtures used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction. Detonation performance of aluminumammonium nitrate explosives. Thats half the ammonium nh4 nitrogen, the other half of the nitrate no3 in the fast growth period, nitrogen formundad. Jul 30, 20 the fertilizer ammonium nitrate is cheap, abundant, and highly detonable. Homemade explosives based on ammonium and urea nitrates i. Ammonium nitrate is a commonly used fertilizer, but when mixed with a fuel such as diesel, it makes a powerful explosive as seen in last weeks fertilizer plant explosion in texas. It is made exclusively by the reaction between gaseous ammonia and aqueous nitric acid, the production of which. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound, the nitrate salt of the ammonium cation. Plants producing a solid ammonium nitrate product may employ all of the operations.
The industrial production of ammonium nitrate entails the acidbase reaction of ammonia with. When heated it will melt, decompose and release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides no x and ammonia gas nh 3. Ammonium nitrate is the nitrate salt of the ammonium cation nh4no3. Even more compelling in the agricultural industry, its inexpensive to manufacture. It forms the explosive base in anfo ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosives, which are now widely used. All ammonium nitrate plants produce an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution through the reaction of ammonia and nitric acid in a neutralizer as follows. In handbook of pollution prevention and cleaner production. The gas released from the decomposing fertilizer is what drives the explosion. Dec 05, 20 ammonium nitrate has been used as a high explosive because it is unstable and decomposes into several gaseous substances. Kinetics reactions of ammonium nitratesodium nitrite.
Ammonium nitrate normally needs a severe shock from a detonator to get it to explode. Ammonium nitrate explosives for civil applications wiley online. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced during combustion during combustion of this material. Homemade explosives based in ammonium and urea nitrates core. Two basic approaches to diminish the explosivity of an have been suggested. Amatol was popularly used in world war i and ii, most often in various military weapons such as. The material itself does not readily burn but will readily do so if contaminated by combustible material. A number of explosions in which ammonium nitrate and aluminum were mixed with carbon or hydrocarbons, with or without oxidizing agents have occurred mellor 5. Difference between ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate. Production of urea and urea ammonium nitrate 2000 efma. Detonation performance of aluminumammonium nitrate. A mixture with aluminum powder also zinc, cadmium, copper, magnesium, lead, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, chromium, and antimony can be used as an explosive. This makes the molecule very dangerous to work with.
Accordingly, gunpowder explodes at only a few metres a second. But if it is deposit under high temperature and high pressure circumstance, the ammonium nitrate will explode and release harmful subs. What is the percentage of phosphorus by mass in the fertilizer. However stored ammonium nitrate has been to known to explode without warning. Anfo or anfo, for ammonium nitratefuel oil is a widely used bulk industrial explosive. Apr 18, 20 ammonium nitrate isnt even classed as an explosive, oxley said. Ammonium nitrate fertilizer isnt really a dangerous. Ammonal used for military mining purposes was generally contained within metal cans or rubberised bags to prevent moisture ingress problems. It is found as a natural mineral in the driest regions of the atacama desert in chile.
In this study, reactions between ammonium nitrate and two sodium salts. Detonation properties of mixtures of ammonium nitrate based. Explosion of ammonium nitrate solutions, two case studies. Use your ideal gas laws and such to take a stab at the resulting volume. Lest you think, though, that explosions of ammonium nitrate facilities are a. Ammonium nitrate ld50 oral, rat 2217 mgkg ammonium nitrate is listed by the iarc as group 2a, probable human carcinogen listed as nitrate or nitrite inges under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation. Ammonium nitrate is a large volume industrial inorganic chemical, used mostly as a high grade 34% n straight nitrogen fertilizer containing both ammonium and nitrate forms of nitrogen.
It will accelerate the burning of combustible material. Use of data booklet is relevant to this question a garden fertilizer is said to have a phosphorus content at 30% p2o5 soluble in water. Closed containers may rupture violently or detonate if heated. The only problem with anfo is that it requires a booster of about 1 lb of tnt or its equivalent to detonate. In this book, we deal with ammonium nitratefuel oil anfo, slurries, and. Besides the main reaction, there exist side reactions. The industrial production of ammonium nitrate entails the acid base reaction of ammonia with. Jul 01, 20 ammonium nitrate is relatively stable at room temperature, with insensitivity to the hit, collision or friction.
Ammonium nitrate made by us is commonly used in agriculture as a highnitrogen fertilizer, and it has also been used as an oxidizing agent in explosives. The most basic an explosive is called anfo ammonium nitrate fuel oil. The prill is coated with a trace amount of a waxy anticaking. You can toss 50 pounds of it in the back of your car. In this experiment, heat can be exchanged with the calorimeter, the products of the reaction, the water in which the reactants were dissolved, and the. That gives you ammonia, of course, in a reaction that absolutely. Anfo or ammonium nitratefuel oil is a widely used bulk industrial explosive mixture in mines and quarry operation. Ammonium nitrate emulsion, suspension, or gel is ammonium nitrate suspended in a liquid. The explosive force occurs when solid ammonium nitrate decomposes very rapidly into two gases, nitrous oxide and water vapor.
Ammonium nitrate fertilizer is cheaper and more readily available than other explosive materials making it the weapon of choice for many middle east insurgents. The manufacture and storage of ammonium nitrate solution made from gaseous ammonia and aqueous nitric acid the conversion of ammonium nitrate solution into solid ammonium. Ammonium nitrate subscribe to all products in this area prilled ammonium nitrate is the primary oxidizer used in the production of ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixtures. Introduction ammonium nitrate is used extensively as a nitrogenous fertilizer. Solid ammonium nitrate can explode at temperatures between 433 k and 473 k unep, 2001a while a range between 494 k and 533 k unep, 2001b is reported for ammonium nitrate solutions. Anfo ammonium nitrate fuel oil ammonium nitrate production reaction of anhydrous ammonia gas and concentrated nitric acid. In summary, the scope of this booklet is therefore. Ammonium nitrate an is derived from the reaction between ammonia and nitric acid. The ammonium and nitrate molecules break down, and a large amount of oxygen gas is suddenly formed. If the explosive is contained in a fixed space the rapid production of gas creates a massive pressure which increases the effect of the explosion.
An fertilizer comes in the form of prills pellets that can be mixed in a proportion of 96% an and 4% fuel oil to form anfo. The rapid expansion of the gaseous substances produces the explosive force. Intimate ontact with combustible materials creates a fire or explosion hazard. The photo at right, which is contained in the 1927 book, shows the aftermath. Transportation information this product is a regulated material for domestic ground transporation, per cfr title 49.
A dft benchmark study on the decomposition reaction of ammonium nitrate has. When combined with acetic acid, the mixture will ignite. Ammonium sulphate is an inorganic composite of nitrogen and sulphur. One of them was that gunpowder is a low explosive because it is a mixture. However, its use as in explosives has led to it being used for.
The fertilizer ammonium nitrate is cheap, abundant, and highly detonable. Calcium ammonium nitrate can is the most widely used fertilizer in the fertilization of all crops except rice top. It consists of 94% porous prilled ammonium nitrate nh 4 no 3 an, which acts as the oxidizing agent and absorbent for the fuel, and 6% number 2 fuel oil fo. Nh3 hno3 nh4no3 approximately 60 percent of the ammonium nitrate produced in the u. May detonate if subjected to strong shocks, such as from an explosion. Aug 30, 20 so you want to build an extremely lethal bomb. Plants for the production of ammonium nitrate and can generally produce from a few hundred up to 3,600t. Recently, a team in new mexico has come up with a way to make the fertilizer less.
From the safety point of view explosive properties of an are a disadvantage. You must use caution when storing this compound because when it comes in contact with an oxidizable substance, it will become explosive. After the reaction the an solution is about 83% concentration. Its very difficult to get it to detonate at a reasonable scale, she said. Low density ammonium nitrate explosive is used extensively in the mining industry and is intentionally made very porous to allow for the rapid uptake of liquid fuel oil.