An ounce of prevention center for american progress. Ammonium sulfate, in addition to being a fertilizer, is a fire suppressant. Fires involving ammonium nitrate can release toxic nitrogen oxides and ammonia. Oct 9, 2019 ammonium nitrate is widely used as a fertilizer in the agricultural industry. Ammonia, a colorless gas with a distinct odor, is a buildingblock chemical and a key component in the manufacture of many products people use every day. Improvised black powder black powder can in a used blasting or gun material required.
O 87947 2049 desert publications cornville, arizona 86325. The best chemistry experiments are those you can perform with items already laying around your house. Mi004 no metal content device a hollowed out log with a plunger and dowel to impact an improvised no metal content detonator onto detonating cord into a yellow 5ltr plastic container containing simulated ammonium nitrate and aluminium anal as the main charge. An explosive munition can be made from fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate and either. On the other hand, reports on explosion of ammonium nitrate solutions are rather scarce, the most detailed studies being those associated with the port neal, iowa accident shockey et al. Murphy 3 abstract an investigation was made of the distances over ihich sympathetic detona tion of ammonium nitrate an and ammonium nitratefuel oil anfo might be expected. Nitromethane one of the most effective fuels used in this sort of explosive.
It is predominantly used in agriculture as a highnitrogen fertilizer. Cylinder test characterization of an ammonium nitrate and. Nitrate international encyclopedia of the first world war ww1. We show 3 ways to make nitric acid based on two different chemical approaches both of which can be done using easily accessible materials. Homemade explosives based in ammonium and urea nitrates core.
Introduction to assist in the compilation of an improvised munitions handbook, which describes methods for fabricating weapons and for producing explosives from readily available indigenous materials, a program was undertaken to study means of sensi tizing andor detonating fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate fgan for use as an explosive. A fire involving ammonium nitrate in an enclosed space could lead to an explosion. Anfo is a tertiary explosive that is fairly difficult to detonate. Solid ammonium nitrate is stored and shipped in either bulk or bags. A published equation for determining the detonation parameters of mixed explosive compositions is used to compute the detonation characteristics. Since there are significant differences in the explosive properties desired by the military verses those involved in. Pdf analysis of the field test results of ammonium. Improvised munitions black books volume 1,2,3 gunpowder. Ammonium nitrate, urea nitrate, polyurethane binder, homemade explosives. Anfo an explosive type gained with mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil.
Munitions casings empty or refilled with hme, detcord or wiring may be protruding out. Nitrification ammonia oxidation in wastewater treatment. Ammonium nitrate, a salt of ammonia and nitric acid, used widely in fertilizers and explosives. Explosive mixtures have found widespread use in both military applications and as components of improvised explosive devices ieds. This can be filtered to obtain a residue of copper. Ammonium nitrate fertilizer is cheaper and more readily available than other explosive materials making it the weapon of choice for many middle east insurgents. An explosive munition can be made from fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate and either fuel oil or a. This liquid fertilizer is used in direct application with spray atomization or put into sprinkler systems. Sympathetic detonation of ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitratefuel oil by r. Tm 31210 improvised munitions handbook by us army ebook lulu. Improvised munitions handbook improvised explosive devices or ieds section 0 introduction 0. Therefore, it is important to store ammonium nitrate in a tightly sealed container. Pdf analysis of the field test results of ammonium nitrate. This book would be of interest to those wouldbe urban guerillas, and.
The commonly used method to calculate the overpressure uses a scaled distance. Analysis of the field test results of ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosives as improvised explosive device charges conference paper pdf available june 2014 with 193 reads how we measure reads. A sensitive, specific and simple color test for the improvised explosive urea nitrate is described. The importance of sodium nitrate for the production of munitions and explosives transformed the transport routes for chilean nitrate into battlefields. The procedures in this video produce large quantities of toxic gases and deal with highly corrosive. Two substances which are not explosive until they are mixed. Analysis of the field test results of ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate an based hme is the most common main charge in afghanistan, followed by potassium chlorate pc. Oxidation of ammonia results in the formation of nitrite and nitrate. Rather, these militant groups repurpose munitions and import these. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound, the nitrate salt of the ammonium cation. Water, 3 cups 34 liter 2 bucketg 2 7 12 at of which. Improvised munitions from ammonium nitrate desert on.
Homemade explosives are far more sensitive and unpredictable than commercially available ones. Therefore, combustible material must be present to have a. The explosive is of loose consistency, red in colour and is used for blasting on the surface as well underground without the danger of gas, vapour and dust explosions as a rock mining explosive. Finally, the last way of making pure nitric acid is to react concentrated sulfuric acid and a pure nitrate salt not fertilizer and heat it in a glass distillation apparatus to distill over the. There are safer alternatives to ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Ammonium nitrate has a critical relative humidity of 59. Improvised munitions handbook improvised explosive devices or ieds table of contents section 0 introduction 0. Ammonium nitrate to be included in the explosives substances act. Detection of the improvised explosives ammonium nitrate. This explosive can be made more effective by mixing with aluminum powder can be obtained in paint stores in the ratio of 4 to 1. The effect of ph and types of nitrate solution has been investigated 3, which concluded that the order of decreasing aggressiveness of nitrate solutions corresponded to the order of increasing initial ph for a given chemical strength, i. Improvised cap sensitive mixtures from ammonium nitrate pyrobin. Detonation properties of ammonium nitrate springerlink.
Americanmanufactured fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate fgan, principally made by the prilling process, is ammonium nitrate which has been first coated with from 0. Improvised munitions black books the mad cracker download. Oct 11, 20 fertilizer mixtures of 40 percent ammonium nitrate and 60 percent ammonium sulfate are sometimes used. Improvised munitions handbook by chris hukill issuu. Health effects there is no epa mandated maximum contaminant level mcl for ammonia.
An ammonium nitrate solution surrounded by a hydrocarbon an emulsifier such as glass, resin or ceramic microspheres to make the explosive less sensitive anfo ammonium nitrate oxidizer or urea nitrate, soaked in a highly combustible hydrocarbon fuel. In an ideal stoichiometrically balanced reaction, anfo is composed of about 94. It tells how to make your own ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate etc. Technology of improvised land warfare conference explosive. Insert blasting cap just beneath the surface of the urea nitrate crystals. Explosion hazards of ammonium nitrate under fire exposure by r. Nitrate of ammonia explosives cameo chemicals noaa. Full text of improvised munitions from ammonium nitrate. The explosive is a mixture of ammonium nitrate, kerosene and dye. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Approximately 5,700 tons of anhydrous ammonia were released and releases of ammonia continued for six days after the. Here is a list of some equipment you must have to make these operations as safe as possible. It is based on the formation of a red pigment upon the reaction between urea nitrate and p. The thermodynamic equilibrium between the gas and aerosol phase was examined for one flight by comparing the modeled dissociation constant for ammonium nitrate with.
Ieds can be made from almost anything with any type of material and initiator. More than 95% of all terrorist attacks are carried out using anfo ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosives in three different variants ammonium nitrate with oil, ammonium nitrate with oil and aluminium powder or ammonium nitrate with oil and trinitrotoluene tnt. The effect of the ph of ammonum nitrate solution on the. A comparative analysis of factors affecting global trade, under section 332g of the tariff act of 1930 19 u. When properly prepared, this explosive munition can be deto nated with a blasting cap. It is reported that the taliban uses about 480,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate a year to make bombs. Ieds have wounded approximately 3,200 american soldiers in 2011 alone.
Ammonia nitrate products at its taloja complex in addition to 40,000 mtpy tan at. Anfo it is by far the most widely used explosive in coal mining, quarrying, metal mining, and civil construction. For example, mix 1 cup of aluminum powder with 4 cups of urea nitrate. Explosives made of ammonium nitrate, a common form of nitrogen fertilizer, are. With only some sugar, salt substitute and an instant cold pack, you can make your very own gunpowder.
Improvised munitions black book volume 1 1981 desert publications isbn. An improvised explosive device ied attack is the use of a homemade bomb andor. An acid type explosive can be made from nitric acid and white paper or cotton cloth. As shown in the nitrification process equations, ammonia is first oxidized to nitrite ions, then the nitrite ions are oxidized to nitrate ions. Introduction to explosives for official use only anfo ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. Forshey5 abstract an attempt has been made in this investigation to define the conditions under which ammonium nitrate an might detonate as a result of involvement in fire. This manual includes methods for fabricating explosives, detonators. Joint improvised explosive device defeat organization.
Ammonium nitrate, or nh4no3, is frequently added to improve a fertilizers nitrogen content. Airborne observations of ammonia and ammonium nitrate. Cylinder test characterization of an ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder explosive david l. Virtasen aukio 1 fin00014 university of helsinki finland academic dissertation. A field diagnostic test for the improvised explosive urea nitrate. Preparation of the ammonium nitrate, evaluations of sensitizers, variables affecting sensitivity and alternate initiation methods are all covered. Sensitivity tests were performed on mixtures of fuel oil and fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate fgan to determine. Properties of ammonium nitrate based fertilisers dissertation for the degree of doctor philosophiae harri kiiski university of helsinki faculty of science department of chemistry laboratory of inorganic chemistry p. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. The plants quickly absorb the nitrate ion and ammonium ion for immediate metabolism.
It is an efficient n source because it contains both nitrate and ammonium and it has a relatively high nutrient content. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Pdf influence of homemade ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. It can support and intensify a fire even in the absence of air. When this equation was used to analyze the detonation parameters of 6zhv ammonite, the detonation characteristics of the tnt and ammonite in this composition were taken from published data and the parameters of the ammonium nitrate were determined. Ammonium nitrate itself does not burn,but is an oxidising substance and as such can support combustion. Ammonium nitrate by itself does not burn, but in contact with other combustible materials, it increases the fire hazard. Disasters before it was recognized as an effective explosive, ammonium nitrate caused several disasters in this country and overseas. Military applications are excluded from this discussion. Improvised cap sensitive mixtures from ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate ammonium nitrate was the first solid nitrogen n fertilizer produced at a large scale. Mixtures with alkyl esters may explode, owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates.
It occurs naturally throughout the environment in the air, soil and water and in plants and animals, including humans. Keene, destroyed in the disasters second explosion. The explosive reaction between swimming pool chlorine and. If potential improvised explosive devices are discovered, execute the following. Knowledge of how the components of these formulations interact with each other will benefit both military and antiterrorism organizations. Americanmanufactured fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate fgan, principally made by the prilling process, is ammoniumnitrate whichhasbeenfirst coatedwith from 0. Coleman fuel or ether and ammonium nitrate found in chemical ice packs and a common component of improvised. By marc lallanilla live science contributor 18 april 20. Production production of ammonium nitrate is an exothermic process that results from the reaction of ammonia gas with. Tm 31210 improvised munitions handbook v3 free ebook download as pdf file.
Analysis and trends anfo can be used as a main charge but requires a booster for detonation requires umilled porous prills of an because are less dense and retain moisture better improvisation of pure an is not difficult. Nitrate of ammonia explosive is a powdered high explosive. Each oxidation is carried out by a different group of bacteria. Emissions associated with the manufacture of explosives are treated in section 6. Tm 21210 improvised munitions handbook 1969 militarynewbie. This observation suggests that the reaction takes place by means. The texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred april 16, 1947 in the port of texas city, texas, at galveston bay. Ammonium nitrate can absorb enough moisture to liquefy. Buy tm 31210 improvised munitions handbook by us army ebook online at lulu. The explosive reaction between swimming pool chlorine and brake fluid reference.
Probably the most efficient and safest technology for. Rapid and specific detection of urea nitrate and ammonium. What causes fertilizer explosions ammonium nitrate live. Improvised explosive device defeat organization, or jieddo, recently stated. Improvised munitions handbook improvised explosive devices or. Army improvised munitions handbook ebook my neighbor, the army ranger, is cia. Guidance for compatibility of fertilizer blending materials pdf. It has the chemical formula nh 4no 3, simplified to n 2h 4o 3. Incidents of solid ammonium nitrate explosion have been extensively discussed in the safety literature dechy et al. Approximately 10 percent of solid ammonium nitrate produced in the u. Diesel fertilizer bomb instructions bearded cultivation uk iris. Ieds are a dangerous and effective weapon system that military forces face. Being able to make homemade gunpowder without a trip to the store can be a lifesaver, no matter if its just for testing out a civil warera musket, blowing up stubborn tree stumps, or. Army improvised munitions handbook ebook with images.
Catalogue of ied training aids explosive risk management. Many truck or car bomb attacks have involved the use of ammonium nitrate based explosives, including the oklahoma city bombing by domestic terrorists in. One must approach the preparation and handling of explosives with great care. Free ly available and operated by the higher intellect project. Ammonium nitrate, available in fertilizer, can serve as the basic ingredient for a very effective improvised explosive. After a slump in the first years of the war, chilean nitrate exports increased in 1916 to meet the war demands for explosives, surpassing prewar export levels with a peak of almost 3 million tons. In one instance, on october 4, 1918, at the morgan plant near perth amboy, new jersey, an explosion occurred in the munitions as. Request pdf a field diagnostic test for the improvised explosive urea. Explosion of ammonium nitrate solutions, two case studies. A collection of over 750,000 text files and documents on a variety of subjects.
Pdf analysis of the field test results of ammonium nitrate fuel oil. The ammonium nitrate aerosol mass budget in the plumes was analyzed to assess the quantitative agreement between the gas and aerosol phase measurements. Lead nitrate is used in the manufacture of lead azide. Ligasova faculty of special engineering, university of zilina, slovakia abstract when the over pressure of a blast wave is calculated and its effects on valuated objects are set, many approximations are used. Pdf improvised munitions from ammonium nitrate full online. Tm 31210 improvised munitions handbook v3 gunpowder. Otherwise, it can coalesce into a large, solid mass. Ms uhde germany, gpn france, chematur sweden, plinke germany, weatherly, spain etc and over years improvised the same to achieve higher productivity, better efficiencies and lesser. Because they are in the form of salts, their relatively low volatility makes them difficult to detect at trace levels. B3l4118 improvised explosive devices 4 basic officer course. Pdf when the over pressure of a blast wave is calculated and its effects on. It is a white crystal solid and is highly soluble in water. A low explosive traditionally consisting of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal. In this study methods for the detection of trace levels of the improvised explosives urea nitrate and ammonium nitrate were developed using electrospray ionization with infusion.