Big Explosion in Beirut Lebanon yesterday

[dragoneggs]

I read that it was tied up in court proceedings. A ship was "abandoned" by broke owners, crew not paid, no money for port fees, etc. and the load was confiscated.

Bruce

Not surprised... Poor asset management and risk mitigation regardless. A ticking time bomb and those who should've been in the know, apparently failed to learn a well documented history lesson. Lawyers go to school to learn law (based on case history). :confused3:

 

[two_bit_score]

What about the rocket motors?

 

[rswyan]

Beirut explosion: Five conspiracy theories explained | Middle East Eye

 

[ruffdog]

Explosions in China in 2015 too.

215 Tianjin explosions - Wikipedia

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I think you got the ships backwards. First one was all ammonium nitrate, 2nd one was that and suffer. Doesn't really matter, though, as it all blew up and almost 600 people died.

You're correct. The Grandcamp contained a hold full of binder twine and some ammunition; it exploded first.

https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=735172

I researched this back in the 70's when I was working in a research labortory; I was assigned a project whereby I had to test a certain crop defoliant for explosivity; Ammonium Nitrate was used as a control substance, because it's properties were pretty well known at that time. I didn't want to blow myself up, so I spent consideral time getting acquainted with the stuff. My company manufactured something called Sodium Chlorate...a rocket fuel...and was also used to spray on cotton to cause the leaves to drop off. When a fabric covered spray plane spontaneously combusted sitting on the runway, they decided to make it safe to use. To make a long story short, after several months, we came up with a formula that wouldn't set the world on fire.

My recollection is that Ammonium Nitrate is fairly safe as long as (1) you keep it clean and free of organic contaminants, and (2) keep it cool, and away from heat and flames.

 

[5030]

You're correct. The Grandcamp contained a hold full of binder twine and some ammunition; it exploded first.

https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=735172

I researched this back in the 70's when I was working in a research labortory; I was assigned a project whereby I had to test a certain crop defoliant for explosivity; Ammonium Nitrate was used as a control substance, because it's properties were pretty well known at that time. I didn't want to blow myself up, so I spent consideral time getting acquainted with the stuff. My company manufactured something called Sodium Chlorate...a rocket fuel...and was also used to spray on cotton to cause the leaves to drop off. When a fabric covered spray plane spontaneously combusted sitting on the runway, they decided to make it safe to use. To make a long story short, after several months, we came up with a formula that wouldn't set the world on fire.

My recollection is that Ammonium Nitrate is fairly safe as long as (1) you keep it clean and free of organic contaminants, and (2) keep it cool, and away from heat and flames.

3... Keep it dry. I use it for fertilizer. It comes in sealed plastic bags now. Moisture is the catalyst that casuses it to heat up but heat does it too.

I see in Beirut, the government is holding the port officials accountable. Not much left of the port that I can see.

 

[ArlyA]

I see homes as far as 10K away were damaged.... My gosh, what terrible incident. Everyone, lets store those explosive chemicals carefully.

Arlyn,,,,, welded on explosive (oxidizer) trucks used in mines ,,,, A

 

[2LaneCruzer]

3... Keep it dry. I use it for fertilizer. It comes in sealed plastic bags now. Moisture is the catalyst that casuses it to heat up but heat does it too.

I see in Beirut, the government is holding the port officials accountable. Not much left of the port that I can see.

We can't buy it here any more; I think you can get it in bulk if you're a farmer. You can buy Urea, which has about the same Nitrogen content but it is not readily available and has to be oxidized by the environment before it is available to the plants. It doesn't burn like Ammonium Nitrate.

 

[Diggin It]

They carry it in a form of tanker truck on our roads from the plant to the quarries, mixed and ready to go. We had one overturn a few years ago, skidded on the side of the tanker. No boom, but it took specialized crews most of the day to clear the scene.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a good video by a fellow who was in his apartment 1/2 a mile from the blast.