Exploding Fertiliser? - 17th Aug 2014 11:35pm
I have been reading a discussion regarding the 'salt piles'? on the East Float on the Dock Road. Some people believe that the substance is not salt but is toxic, dangerous to the environment and can be used to make bombs.
Here is some copy and pasted info:
Ammonium Nitrate classified as an explosive and assigned to
Class 1 of the UN classification system. This would be subject to
controls under the Explosives Act 1875;
●
storage of ammonium nitrate fertilisers in quantities below 1
tonne, provided good housekeeping standards and sensible
separation from incompatible materials are maintained. For
fertilisers that contain 28% or less nitrogen (see the label or other
hazard information) this limit is raised to 50 tonnes.
PROPERTIES AND HAZARDS
Ammonium nitrate has a melting point of 170C and decomposes
above 210C. It is not in itself combustible but, as it is an oxidising
agent, it can assist other materials to burn, even if air is excluded.
Ammonium nitrate will not explode due to the friction and impact
found in normal handling, but it can be detonated under heat and
confinement or severe shock. For example, in a fire, pools of molten
ammonium nitrate may be formed and if the molten mass becomes
confined (eg in drains, pipes, plant or machinery) it could explode,
particularly if it becomes contaminated.
In a fire, all types of ammonium nitrate may melt and decompose with
the release of toxic fumes (mainly oxides of nitrogen) which may be
yellow or brown. Most types do not continue to decompose once the fire
has been extinguished. However, when some types of ammonium nitrate
fertilisers (cigar burners) are heated they undergo a smouldering (self-
sustaining) decomposition that can spread throughout the mass to give
substantial toxic fumes, even when the initial heat source is removed.
2
The risk of fire or explosion is greatly increased if ammonium nitrate is
mixed with combustible or incompatible materials, such as powdered
metals, alkali metals, urea, chromium or copper salts, organic and
carbonaceous materials, sulphur, nitrites, alkalis, acids, chlorates and
reducing agents (consult data sheets to establish if a substance has
reducing properties).
Does anybody know for sure what this white powder mountain is??
(The owner of the picture has specified in her post that people can share it)
Here is some copy and pasted info:
Ammonium Nitrate classified as an explosive and assigned to
Class 1 of the UN classification system. This would be subject to
controls under the Explosives Act 1875;
●
storage of ammonium nitrate fertilisers in quantities below 1
tonne, provided good housekeeping standards and sensible
separation from incompatible materials are maintained. For
fertilisers that contain 28% or less nitrogen (see the label or other
hazard information) this limit is raised to 50 tonnes.
PROPERTIES AND HAZARDS
Ammonium nitrate has a melting point of 170C and decomposes
above 210C. It is not in itself combustible but, as it is an oxidising
agent, it can assist other materials to burn, even if air is excluded.
Ammonium nitrate will not explode due to the friction and impact
found in normal handling, but it can be detonated under heat and
confinement or severe shock. For example, in a fire, pools of molten
ammonium nitrate may be formed and if the molten mass becomes
confined (eg in drains, pipes, plant or machinery) it could explode,
particularly if it becomes contaminated.
In a fire, all types of ammonium nitrate may melt and decompose with
the release of toxic fumes (mainly oxides of nitrogen) which may be
yellow or brown. Most types do not continue to decompose once the fire
has been extinguished. However, when some types of ammonium nitrate
fertilisers (cigar burners) are heated they undergo a smouldering (self-
sustaining) decomposition that can spread throughout the mass to give
substantial toxic fumes, even when the initial heat source is removed.
2
The risk of fire or explosion is greatly increased if ammonium nitrate is
mixed with combustible or incompatible materials, such as powdered
metals, alkali metals, urea, chromium or copper salts, organic and
carbonaceous materials, sulphur, nitrites, alkalis, acids, chlorates and
reducing agents (consult data sheets to establish if a substance has
reducing properties).
Does anybody know for sure what this white powder mountain is??
(The owner of the picture has specified in her post that people can share it)