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Horrifying Video: Fertilizer Plant Explosion Near Waco, Texas

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Rightwingconspirator4/18/2013 10:02:43 am PDT

Looking at the real MSDS data, anhydrous ammonia is not that easy to set off like that. It takes extreme conditions.

Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

Flashpoint: None
Flammable Limits in Air: LEL/UEL 16% to 25% (listed as 15% to 28% in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.)
Extinguishing Media: Dry Chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam if gas flow cannot be stopped
Auto Ignition Temperature: 1,204F (If catalyzed), 1,570F (If un-catalyzed)

Special Fire-Fighting Procedure
Must wear protective clothing and a positive pressure SCBA. Stop source if possible. If a portable container (such as a cylinder or trailer) can be moved from the fire area without risk to the individual, do so to prevent the pressure relief valve of the trailer from discharging or the cylinder from rupturing. Fight fires using dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Cool fire-exposed containers with water spray. Stay upwind when containers are threatened. Use water spray to knock down vapor and dilute.

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards
• Outdoors, ammonia is not generally a fire hazard. Indoors, in confined areas, ammonia may be a fire hazard, especially if oil and other combustible materials are present. Combustion may form toxic nitrogen oxides.
• If relief valves are inoperative, heat exposed storage containers may become explosion hazards due to over pressurization.


Chemical Reactivity

Stability
Stable at room temperature. Heating a closed container above room temperature causes vapor pressure to increase rapidly. Anhydrous ammonia will react exothermically with acids and water. Will not polymerize.

Conditions to Avoid
Anhydrous ammonia has potentially explosive reactions with strong oxidizers. Anhydrous ammonia forms explosive mixtures in air with hydrocarbons, chlorine, fluorine and silver nitrate. Anhydrous ammonia reacts to form explosive products, mixtures or compounds with mercury, gold, silver, iodine, bromine, silver oxide and silver chloride.


Avoid anhydrous ammonia contact with chlorine, which forms a chloramine gas, which is a primary skin irritant and sensitizer. Anhydrous ammonia is incompatible with acetaldehyde, acrolein, boron, chloric acid, chlorine monoxide, chlorites, nitrogen tetroxide, perchlorate, sulfur, tin and strong acids.

Avoid contact with galvanized surfaces, copper, brass, bronze, mercury, gold and silver. A corrosive reaction will occur.


Spill or Leak Procedures

Steps to be Taken
Stop source of leak if possible, provided it can be done in a safe manner. Leave the area of a spill by moving laterally and upwind. Isolate the affected area. Non-responders should evacuate the area, or shelter in place. Only properly trained and equipped persons should respond to an ammonia release. Wear eye, hand and respiratory protection and protective clothing; see PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. Stay upwind and use water spray downwind of container to absorb the evolved gas. Contain spill and runoff from entering drains, sewers, and water systems by utilizing methods such as diking, containment, and absorption. CAUTION: ADDING WATER DIRECTLY TO LIQUID SPILLS WILL INCREASE VOLATILIZATION OF AMMONIA, THUS INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPOSURE.