What caused the ammonium nitrate explosion?

A massive chemical detonation occurred on August 4, 2020 in the Port of Beirut, Lebanon. An uncontrolled fire in an adjacent warehouse ignited ~2,750 tons of Ammonium Nitrate (AN), producing one of the most devastating blasts in recent history.

How does ammonium nitrate explode in Lebanon?

The main cause of the explosion was the large amount (approximately 2750 Tons) of NH4NO3 at the site. The decomposition of huge amount of ammonium nitrate not only took the lives of hundreds of people but has also heavily pumped nitrites as well as CO2 & CO into the environment.

What is ammonium nitrate explosion?

Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us. At high enough temperatures, however, ammonium nitrate can violently decompose on its own. This process creates gases including nitrogen oxides and water vapour. It is this rapid release of gases that causes an explosion.

What is ammonium nitrate Beirut?

Ammonium nitrate is a crystal-like white solid which is made in large industrial quantities. Its biggest use is as a source of nitrogen for fertiliser, but it is also used to create explosives for mining. Ammonium nitrate is made all over the world and is relatively cheap to buy.

Where did the ammonium nitrate in Beirut come from?

The ammonium nitrate was purchased by the International Bank of Mozambique for Fábrica de Explosivos de Moçambique, a firm that makes commercial explosives, according to Baroudi and Partners, a Lebanese law firm representing the ship’s crew, in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Where was the ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut?

The ammonium nitrate was offloaded into Warehouse 12, which was designated for the storage of dangerous materials. It lies only a few hundred yards from the densely packed residential neighborhoods of Gemmayze, Mar Mikhail and Karantina.

How is ammonium nitrate created?

Ammonium nitrate is made by reaction of ammonia with nitric acid in water followed by careful evaporation of the water. Ammonia is most often prepared from atmospheric nitrogen, while nitric acid is prepared from the combustion of ammonia, and so ammonium nitrate is most conveniently manufactured where ammonia is made.

Where does ammonium nitrate come from?

What causes an explosive to explode?

What Causes Explosions? An explosion is a rapid expansion of gases. Many explosions occur when gases are exposed to a source of heat- such as fire, sparks, even static elec- tricity-or an increase in pressure. Explosions can also be caused by chemical reactions.

What is explosion give example?

countable noun. An explosion is a sudden, violent burst of energy, for example one caused by a bomb. A second explosion came minutes later and we were enveloped in a dust cloud. Three people have been killed in a bomb explosion in northwest Spain. Synonyms: blast, crack, burst, bang More Synonyms of explosion.

How did the ammonium nitrate end up in Beirut?

Documents unearthed by Al Jazeera say the ammonium nitrate arrived in Beirut aboard a Russian-owned cargo ship after the vessel experienced mechanical problems at sea. The ensuing explosion killed some 600 people, including everyone on the dock and ship.

Why does fertilizer explode?

Investigators have confirmed that ammonium nitrate was the trigger for the explosion, but the cause of the initial fire is as yet unknown. As a result of the massive explosion, the West Fertilizer Company plant was obliterated, and heavy damage and further destruction was caused to surrounding areas.

Why does ammonium nitrate explode?

Ammonium nitrate normally needs a severe shock from a detonator to get it to explode. However stored ammonium nitrate has been to known to explode without warning. 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.