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Waco fertiliser plant explodes

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I heard some reports there was probably about 60 or more tons of ammonium nitrate there. Back in my younger days we'd use abt 100 to 200 kg to blow out the rock for an average two lane road cutting and lift it all about 1 meter... 60 or more tons is one hell of an explosion and shock wave.
 
Judging by the image and comments in the link above, it wasn't the big tank that blew up. It was something in or near the building adjacent.
 
drsmith said:
Judging by the image and comments in the link above, it wasn't the big tank that blew up. It was something in or near the building adjacent.
Click to expand...

Yeah... I think the original fire started in or near the anhydrous ammonia which would have been in a tank, but probably not too big. This place was previously a grain storage/handling depot, so that might be an old silo.

Ammoniun nitrate comes prilled, ie small granules typically about 2 to 4 mm, in bags. It would have been stored in the shed unless they store and transport it in bulk truck loads like grain over there. Typically 40kg or 1 ton bags here. Likely the heat triggered it off. If there was any diesel nearby and got spilled into it there would be a bit extra umph.

A few years ago it was restricted in Aus even though it was a common nitrogen fertiliser and also used as an explosive in civil construction and mining... and terrorist attacks. You need a license to get hold of it now in Aus.
 
That sequence shows the force with which material was blasted out through the tree opposite the railway tracks and towards the block of flats adjacent.

DB008 said:
Thats a huge explosion.

Click to expand...
 
More footage of the explosion (from the interactive link above). Contains coarse language.

 
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