Big Explosion in Beirut Lebanon yesterday

[MossRoad]

And explosions like that go back even to the early 1900's. The biggest non-nuclear explosion was in Halifax Nova Scotia in 1917 and killed more than 1,800 people with windows shattered 50 miles away.

The Great Halifax Explosion - HISTORY

The Texas explosion beat out the Halifax explosion by 0.05kt...

Largest artificial non-nuclear explosions - Wikipedia

 

[5030]

Back in the 1960’s we ALWAYS had a several tons of 80 pound bag ammonium nitrate in inventory for side dressing our lettuce crop.

Pretty certain the formulation was 48-0-0. Pure white prills and relatively odor free as far as fertilizers went....

Good thing ignorance is bliss as being a kid I had no idea what it was capable of.

Just like 46 Urea. White, odorless and easy to handle. they clay coat 46 so breakdown is gradual or you can get uncoated for faster absorption. 46, like anhydrous will convert to N. Has the same distinctive cat pee smell as well (in the ground). I use a lot of it, and a lot of AN as well.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Just like 46 Urea. White, odorless and easy to handle. they clay coat 46 so breakdown is gradual or you can get uncoated for faster absorption. 46, like anhydrous will convert to N. Has the same distinctive cat pee smell as well (in the ground). I use a lot of it, and a lot of AN as well.

I don't believe urea is an explosive like Ammonium Nitrate. I recall reading that in the early days, the Ammonium Nitrate prill was coated with wax...basically a ready made bomb, especially in a big fire. They eventually wised up and I believe it's coated with bentonite clay or something similar today.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Think about these numbers a bit...

The Oklahoma City bombing that took the front off of the federal building used about 2.25 tons of ammonium nitrate. The explosion in Beirut was 2,700 tons.... yikes.

Considering that an average railroad car can carry 100 tons, we're talking 27 rail cars full of Ammonium Nitrate.

 

[cqaigy2]

I saw a clip on subreddit and first thing that came to mind, was somebody store a whole lot of ammonium nitrate. Then to hear the history of it is a testament to, 'not my job', or i won't take responsibility. My heart goes out to those people, on top of an endless civil war, then to have this happen.

 

[Big Barn]

Just like 46 Urea. White, odorless and easy to handle. they clay coat 46 so breakdown is gradual or you can get uncoated for faster absorption. 46, like anhydrous will convert to N. Has the same distinctive cat pee smell as well (in the ground). I use a lot of it, and a lot of AN as well.

I stand corrected. It would have been the 46 Urea we used just as you described. Thank you.

 

[ruffdog]

With over 12,000 facilities storing AN in the US, you would think that we would be tightening safety regulations, not loosening them.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't understand the whole thing. I "thought' that fuel oil was a requirement of the explosion. How can it explode on its own?

 

[ruffdog]

I don't understand the whole thing. I "thought' that fuel oil was a requirement of the explosion. How can it explode on its own?

That is what I thought too. I thought AN was an oxygenate that greatly aids the burning of whatever the fuel is. :confused3:

Interesting account of happenings:

Beirut explosion: former port worker says fireworks stored in hangar | World news | The Guardian

 

[fishheadbob]

Back in the 1960ç—´ we ALWAYS had a several tons of 80 pound bag ammonium nitrate in inventory for side dressing our lettuce crop.

Pretty certain the formulation was 48-0-0. Pure white prills and relatively odor free as far as fertilizers went....


I believe 48-0-0 is urea.

I read Timothy McVay used 2200 POUNDS 0f ammonium nitrate to blow up the federal building in Oklahoma City; Beirut had a magnification factor of something like 2700 Tons. wow.

I have bought Ammonium Nitrate in bulk at my local fertilizer mill which is unwisely located in the village. They have an extensive security system paid for with a grant from Homeland Security; the last time I purchased Ammonium Nitrate there I mentioned I was of middle eastern descent - I've known the mill owners for decades but my last name sounds European - anyways they try hard to steer me into urea unless I protest.