Why did the Oppau explosion happen?

The explosion occurred on September 21, 1921, when a silo that was storing 4,500 tonnes of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixture exploded at the Oppau plant in Germany.

How many people died in the Oppau explosion?

Soon after the explosion, there were multiple fires on the facility and other less intense explosions occurred on the site and the air was heavy with ammonia vapours. Consequences: The official human casualty reported included 561 deaths, 1,952 injured and 7,500 people left homeless.

How can ammonium nitrate explode?

Over time, the compound absorbs moisture, which can make the beads stick together into a huge rock, says Sella. When such a large quantity of compacted ammonium nitrate is exposed to intense heat — if, say, an accidental fire breaks out — it can trigger an explosion.

What were the effects of the Oppau explosion?

The massive blast killed over 500 people instantly, injured thousands and flattened the factory. Most of Oppau’s buildings were destroyed, leaving 6,500 residents homeless. A pressure wave ripped roofs off over a 25 km (15 mi) radius and shattered windows over a wider area.

Is ammonium a sulfate?

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic sulfate salt obtained by reaction of sulfuric acid with two equivalents of ammonia. A high-melting (decomposes above 280℃) white solid which is very soluble in water (70.6 g/100 g water at 0℃; 103.8 g/100 g water at 100℃), it is widely used as a fertilizer for alkaline soils.

Will ammonium nitrate explode in a fire?

Ammonium nitrate does not burn on its own. Instead, it acts as a source of oxygen that can accelerate the combustion (burning) of other materials. For combustion to occur, oxygen must be present. It’s relatively difficult for a fire to trigger an ammonium nitrate explosion.

Can ammonium nitrate explode alone?

Ammonium nitrate would only explode on its own if its temperature was rapidly raised to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to most combustible materials, ammonium nitrate itself is not exceptionally explosive. But the compound can contribute to explosions because it belongs to a chemical class known as oxidizers.

What happens when you mix water and ammonium nitrate?

If you gently heat ammonium nitrate that has dissolved in water, the solution breaks down to release nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas. Because solid ammonium nitrate can undergo explosive decomposition when heated in a confined space, its shipment and storage are subject to government regulations.

Is ammonium sulfate safe to eat?

Ammonium sulfate is potentially dangerous to both people and the environment, so it requires care in its use. Eating or drinking ammonium sulfate will cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although it isn’t toxic unless consumed in large quantities.

Is ammonium laureth sulfate safe?

They’re powerful enough to cleanse skin AND gentle enough not to dry it out and irritate it. Sure, if you have very sensitive skin, there’s always the potential Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is too drying for you. But for 90% of people, it’s totally safe.