Environmental impact of a warehouse fire containing ammonium nitrate

Christiansen, Virve; Kakko, Rhea; Koivisto, Raija

doi:10.1016/0950-4230(93)80005-7

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Although the probability of occurrence is very low, there is a risk of detonation for technical‐grade AN (containing over 28% nitrogen), simple fertilizers, and possibly, compounds containing significant amounts of AN 18,19 . Another hazardous situation is the simple decomposition of AN normally associated with a situation of exposure to an external fire 20,21 . Last, in the case of some AN‐based fertilizers (for example, NPK‐type fertilizers), situations of self‐sustaining decomposition have been identified in storage facilities and maritime transport, generating ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions 14,15,22 …”

Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another element that can trigger the detonation of AN is the presence of an external fire that involves contamination due to fusion with organic materials and very high heat stress that facilitates exothermic decomposition 20,21 …”

Section: An Detonation Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18,19 Another hazardous situation is the simple decomposition of AN normally associated with a situation of exposure to an external fire. 20,21 Last, in the case of some AN-based fertilizers (for example, NPK-type fertilizers), situations of self-sustaining decomposition have been identified in storage facilities and maritime transport, generating ammonia and nitrogen oxide emissions. 14,15,22 3 | AN DETONATION MECHANISM…”

Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…33,34 Another element that can trigger the detonation of AN is the presence of an external fire that involves contamination due to fusion with organic materials and very high heat stress that facilitates exothermic decomposition. 20,21 The sensitivity to shock wave detonation increases with temperature, the presence of fuels, reactive substances, and the presence of hollow spaces and bubbles in the substance. 35 The temperature of AN increases upon exposure to a large fire.…”

Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lessons learned from the Barracas accident: Ammonium nitrate explosion during road transport

Baraza

Giménez

Pey³

et al. 2022

Process Safety Progress

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On March 9, 2004, a lorry transporting ammonium nitrate (AN) overturned. The load caught fire and exploded due to the self-sustaining decomposition reactions of the AN. The consequences were two deaths, five injuries, and significant material damage in the form of destruction to vehicles and the highway. This article delves into the causes of the accident through root cause analysis techniques, such as fishbone, AcciMap and events and causal factors charting, which have demonstrated that the causes were not only physicochemical but also of an organizational nature. The explosion caused a crater 18 m in diameter, which would be equivalent to one caused by 11.4 tonnes of TNT. Through the relevant models, we have established the overpressure-distance map, explaining the breakage of lorry windscreens located 100 m from the accident site, and the vibration of glass planes at a distance of some 4 km. This accident underscored the need to comply with the safety measures handed down by competent bodies: (a) avoid contamination of AN, especially with fuels; (b) prevent the AN from being exposed to heat; (c) isolate for a minimum distance of 800 m in all directions around the accident site; (d) in case of fire, flood the area from a distance and stay away from the fire.

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Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: An Detonation Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physicochemical Properties and Potential Hazards Of Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Lessons learned from the Barracas accident: Ammonium nitrate explosion during road transport

Baraza

Giménez

Pey³

et al. 2022

Process Safety Progress

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, the available literature showed that major reported products of decomposition of FGAN-based fertilizers under high temperature included: nitrogen (N 2 ): 19%-26%, water vapour (H 2 O): 45%-65%, nitrous oxide (N 2 O): 7%-20%, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH 3 ): 2 of 10 0%-9%, respectively, hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF): 0.5-10%, respectively, ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl): 0%-7%, and chlorine (Cl 2 ): 2%-6% [2][3][4]. Exposure to those products of decomposition subsequently generated chemicals which may have had acute and chronic consequences.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Increased Risk of Trisomy 18 Observed After a Fertilizer Warehouse Fire in Brazos County and TX

Zhang

Han

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Background: In this paper, we aimed to investigate the potential impacts of a fire accident in a fertilizer warehouse on chromosomal anomalies, including Trisomy 21 (T21) and Trisomy (T18) among pregnancies in Brazos County, Texas. We conducted an observational study in Brazos County, TX, with all patients of T18 and T21 cases in the live births in Brazos County between 2005–2014. The prevalence of T18 and T21 before, during, and after the accident in Brazos County were calculated and compared. The Standardized Morbidity Ratio (SMR) was applied to compare the prevalence of T18 and T21 in Brazos County to the statewide prevalence in Texas after adjusting for maternal race and age. Compared with statewide risk, the risk of T18 during the impacted years in Brazos county was found to be significantly higher (SMR = 5.0, 95% Confidence Interval(CI): 2.19–9.89), while there was no significant difference before (SMR = 0.77, 0.13–2.54) and after the accident (SMR = 0.71, 0.12–2.36). However, the prevalence of T21 during the impacted years was not significantly different from those before or after the accident. This study conclusively suggests that this fertilizer fire may be related to the increased prevalence of T18 in Brazos County, though the findings warrant further investigation.

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