Investigations into the initiation of a detonation of molten ammonium nitrate by falling objects
conference paper
In this paper the results are presented of drop tests simulating falling objects into a melt of ammonium nitrate which may happen in the case of a fire. During such a fire parts of a collapsing building may fall into molten ammonium nitrate. One of the conclusions from investigations performed in Canada was that the impact sensitivity of such a melt would be in the same class of shock sensitivity as nitroglycerine. This caused the concern of the relevant industry and resulted in the execution of the test programme presented here. In the various tests performed no detonation has been observed even under the most severe test conditions. Exposition of pure nitroglycerine to the same conditions would certainly have resulted in a detonation. This test could not be performed for safety reasons. It thus may be concluded that molten AN is less sensitive than nitroglycerine. Additional tests have to show the difference in the initiation behaviour of both substances. It is unlikely that a detonation of molten AN may result from impact forces of collapsing buildings.
TNO Identifier
112864
Article nr.
TA/88/14
Source title
IFA Technical Conference, Edmonton, Canada, 12-15 September 1988
Pages
14-1 - 14-11
Files
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