According to our site explosion expert at the time of the Ok city bombing, the purity of the Amonium nitrite (SIC) is important also. If they had sold a less pure product (95% or less), then the use as an explosive would have been negligible.
First, there are no reports of fuel oil in the ammonium nitrate loaded at Texas City. It was prepared farming fertilizer, in paper sacks, and mixed with clay, rosin, petrolatum and paraffin wax to avoid aggregation. While rosin, petrolatum and paraffin wax all are combustible, they nowhere approach the BTU content of fuel oil.
Secondly, the purity of ammonium nitrate was 38%, and it in fact exploded, because, it was contained in a sealed hold that was pressurized with steam.
The Grandcamp's Captain, also unfamiliar with chemistry, attempted to starve the fire of oxygen, not understanding that ammonium nitrate IS the oxidizer, and becomes explosive when confined under pressure, or is subject to a shock-wave in aggregated crystalline form. Thirdly, the High Flyer, docked alongside, then burned and exploded in the same manner from her load of ammonium nitrate confined in the hold.
Fourthly, Amonium (SIC) nitrite (NH4NO2) is not ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), and you should know the difference.
Lastly, when you post "look it up", you post a link with it.
And keep your kid away from that ammonium nitrite.
So what caused the explosion at Texas City? The steam pressure from the way it was stored?
Navy,
Sorry, not ignoring you, just got distracted by the bomber hunt.
You are correct... Nitrate not nitrite.
I need to rule out anhydrous ammonia completely I think.
The ammonia bullets ‘long skinny white cylinders’ appear to be on the south side of the facility. At 12,000 gallons each, they would be filled from trucks, not rail cars. The cylinders appear to be there still. There were no complaints of an ammonia cloud that I am aware of. Just a large fire followed by explosion. Very unlikely.