Hoping this is just a
coincidence, although they are stacking up....
My thoughts are with all of those in trouble. QuoteAn explosion ripped through a fertilizer plant Wednesday night in the town of West, Texas, sending a massive fireball into the sky and causing dozens of injuries, officials said.
A number of nearby residents were being evacuated because of the possibility of another explosion, officials said
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/texas-explosion/index.html
(http://cdn.niketalk.com/2/28/500x1000px-LL-28598860_ScreenShot2013-04-17at10.04.38PM.png)
Those are some very scary explosions BTS. I have experienced them first hand, there was a massive explosion back in the 70's in a place called Bigelow Mn. Huge plant, located on the center of a very small town, never forget it.
Glad they confirmed there was another fertilizer tank there. It could of gotten much worse for the rescue folks trying to assist.
Thanks for sharing the story BTS. Now, lets hope that it wasn't a terrorist attempt? :o
1WW
1WW,
Yes this is a powerful explosion, the area is being evactuated as
we speak, the air space is closed....the houses surrounding
the plant have been leveled...this is breaking news...
(http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2013/04/waco2.jpg)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-04-17/massive-fertilizer-plant-explosion-shakes-texas
QuoteThe blast at West Fertilizer plant, reported shortly before 8 p.m. CT, was confirmed by Waco police dispatch operators. First responders are dealing with numerous injuries and major damage to structures and vehicles, Scarbrough said.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/17/numerous-injuries-reported-in-large-explosion-at-texas-fertilizer-plant/#ixzz2QmeOm5T8
Quote from: burntheships on April 18, 2013, 04:47:58 AM
1WW,
Yes this is a powerful explosion, the area is being evactuated as
we speak, the air space is closed....the houses surrounding
the plant have been leveled...this is breaking news...
(http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2013/04/waco2.jpg)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-04-17/massive-fertilizer-plant-explosion-shakes-texas
With a mushroom cloud that big, I would guess it was equivalent too at least a 5K sticks of TNT Bomb. WOW, absolutely jaw dropping for sure.
1WW
yep thats big.i wonder if it showed up as earthquake.
Quote from: robomont on April 18, 2013, 04:59:37 AM
yep thats big.i wonder if it showed up as earthquake.
Yes it did, trying to find the record now...
QuoteWest EMS Director Dr. George Smith says as many as 60 or 70 people died and hundreds were injured Wednesday night in a fertilizer plant explosion in West.
A rescuer earlier said he knew of five deaths.
Meanwhile, emergency crews were pulling back late Wednesday night because of concerns about the possibility of a second explosion.
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Explosion-Injuries-Reported-At-West-Fertilizer-Plant-203505331.html
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/topstories/article/228852/175/Report-At-Least-60-Dead-in-Texas-Explosion
:( :(
I didn't find anything saying ti was anhydrous or Nitrogen based fertilizer. "Do any of you guys know?" I can't access the web page, may be getting hammered with viewers or something?
1WW
I'm seriously beginning to get sick of this. If Obama wants a fascist dictatorship, which I think we all know he does, then let him implement it, and be done with it. This constant BS of moving the chess pieces around the board is becoming deeply tedious.
Show your hand, Mr. President. Put your cards on the table. Start the camps. We all know what you want. Get it over with.
Sorry for my intermitent posts, my internet is on and off all
day due to the cut cables in the Bay Area earlier...
I was looking for the earthquake info, I cant do much
but I found this....
QuoteA shock wave from the explosion may have been felt in parts of North Texas and mistaken for an earthquake
http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/powerful-exploson-rocks-town-north-of-waco-203508001.html
QuoteThe regional public school district announced that all campuses will be closed Thursday and Friday.
"Stay away from all school property," it warned on Twitter.
Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a statement late Wednesday saying: "We are monitoring developments and gathering information as details continue to emerge about this incident. We have also mobilized state resources to help local authorities.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/dozens-feared-dead-injured-in-texas-plant-explosion-1.1242856#ixzz2QmnvDMon
QuoteMassive Fertilizer Plant Explosion Shakes Texas, Town Evacuated, Toxic Fumes, Up To 70 Dead - Live Stream
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/17/2013 22:19 -0400
In the aftermath of the Boston horrors, a massive explosion has occurred at a fertlizer plant in the town of West, Texas (near Waco). This week is the 20th anniversary of the deadly seige in Waco. There are at least 10 other buildings are on fire, including the town middle school, and a large swath of the town was "leveled" in the explosion. The explosion occurred around 7:50pm local time. A fireball of nearly 100 feet high has been reported along with a massive power outage. The images and scale of this explosion are incredible and reports are coming in people still trapped. The explosion could be heard from 100 miles away in Dallas. The explosion followed the outbreak of a fire at the plant - and occurred as firefighters were working on the blaze.
UPDATE: Entire town (within a mile radius) to be evacuated - toxic fumes may be spreading
UPDATE: Hospital told to anticipate 100 people with injuries, Hospital CEO tells CNN
UPDATE: Up To 70 Dead, 38 seriously injured included blast injuries, orthopedic injuries, large wounds and a lot of lacerations and cuts.
This is the updated version of the OP BTS.
20th Anniversary, rather odd for the date for sure."Blast 'took out' a five-block radius"
1WW
i checked the two sights i go to and there was nothing but they may have deleted them.dont know.
if its another false flag to coverup for boston then its probly civil war in weeks.
holding my breath but it doesnt look good.
obama tried like hell to milk it today.
i thought bidens face was gonna shatter into a million pieces or fall off his skull.
sure is getting weird and the illumanati cards are making it even weirder.
I am finding it strange that no one has yet disclosed what kind of fertilizer tanks blew... I would think that would be the first thing to get straight before entering into a fire fighting state? Or am I wrong here?
1WW
Hi 1WW, Petrus and Robo,
My internet is really dicey I dont know if this is coordinated,
although It bothers me that Bill Ayers made nail bombs too
and bombed The Pentagon, I dont know what kind of fire this is
by the looks of the explosion there could be several different
types of fertilizers...
I just found another update, says 5 blocks are leveled...
QuoteIt is believed a five-block area of the town has been levelled by the blast and local officials fear people are trapped or dead inside collapsed buildings.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-18/explosion-at-fertiliser-plant-near-waco-texas/4636860
Anhydrous Ammonia
QuoteToxicity
The toxicity of ammonia solutions does not usually cause problems for humans and other mammals, as a specific mechanism exists to prevent its build-up in the bloodstream. Ammonia is converted to carbamoyl phosphate by the enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, and then enters the urea cycle to be either incorporated into amino acids or excreted in the urine[citation needed]. However, fish and amphibians lack this mechanism, as they can usually eliminate ammonia from their bodies by direct excretion. Ammonia even at dilute concentrations is highly toxic to aquatic animals, and for this reason it is classified as dangerous for the environment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia#Toxicity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia#Toxicity)
Nitrogen
QuoteNegative environmental effects
See also: Environmental impact of agriculture, Human impact on the nitrogen cycle, and Nitrogen fertilizer#Problems with inorganic fertilizer
Runoff of soil and fertilizer during a rain storm
An algal bloom caused by eutrophication
[edit]Water quality
[edit]Eutrophication
Main article: Eutrophication
The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff are the primary cause of serious oxygen depletion in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal zones. The resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of these areas to sustain oceanic fauna.[76] Visually, water may become cloudy and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or red).
About half of all the lakes in the United States are now eutrophic, while the number of oceanic dead zones near inhabited coastlines are increasing.[77] As of 2006, the application of nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in Britain and the United States[citation needed]. If eutrophication can be reversed, it may take decades[citation needed] before the accumulated nitrates in groundwater can be broken down by natural processes.
[edit]Blue baby syndrome
High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize crop yields, combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to increased runoff into surface water as well as leaching into groundwater.[78][79][80] The use of ammonium nitrate in inorganic fertilizers is particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions preferentially over nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by rain or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater.[81]
Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in groundwater can cause 'blue baby syndrome' (acquired methemoglobinemia), leading to hypoxia (which can lead to coma and death if not treated).[82]
[edit]Soil
[edit]Soil acidification
See also: Soil pH
Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can cause soil acidification when added.[83][84] This may lead to decreases in nutrient availability which may be offset by liming.
[edit]Persistent organic pollutants
Main article: Persistent organic pollutant
Toxic persistent organic pollutants ("POPs"), such as Dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been detected in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments[85]
[edit]Heavy metal accumulation
The concentration of up to 100 mg/kg of cadmium in phosphate minerals (for example, minerals from Nauru[86] and the Christmas islands[87]) increases the contamination of soil with cadmium, for example in New Zealand.[88]
Steel industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels of zinc (essential to plant growth), wastes can include the following toxic metals: lead[89] arsenic, cadmium,[89] chromium, and nickel. The most common toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, and arsenic.[90][91] Concerns have been raised concerning fish meal mercury content by at least one source in Spain[92]
[edit]Radioactive element accumulation
Uranium is another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate fertilizers (at levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g).[93] Eventually these heavy metals can build up to unacceptable levels and build up in vegetable produce.[88] Average annual intake of uranium by adults is estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 ?g) from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 ?g from breathing air.[94]
Also, highly radioactive Polonium-210 contained in phosphate fertilizers is absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues; tobacco derived from plants fertilized by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emits alpha radiation estimated to cause about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year worldwide.[95][96][97][98][99][100]
For these reasons, it is recommended that nutrient budgeting, through careful observation and monitoring of crops, take place to mitigate the effects of excess fertilizer application.
[edit]Atmosphere
Global methane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note distinct plumes
Methane emissions from crop fields (notably rice paddy fields) are increased by the application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute greatly to global climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.[101]
Through the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer, which is added at a rate of 1 billion tons per year presently[102] to the already existing amount of reactive nitrogen, nitrous oxide (N2O) has become the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global warming potential 296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and it also contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion.[103]
The use of fertilizers on a global scale emits significant quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere (citation needed). Emissions come about through the use of:
animal manures and urea, which release methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in varying quantities depending on their form (solid or liquid) and management (collection, storage, spreading)
fertilizers that use nitric acid or ammonium bicarbonate, the production and application of which results in emissions of nitrogen oxides, nitrous oxide, ammonia and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but not all, of these effects on anthropogenic climate change.[citation needed]
[edit]Other problems
[edit]Increased pest fitness
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by increasing the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural pests, such as aphids (plant lice).[104][105][106][107][108][109]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fertilizer#Negative_environmental_effects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fertilizer#Negative_environmental_effects)
Those folks there in Waco and near Waco are in for a very rude and painful awakening scenarion for sure.
1WW
Oh, 1WW, that is bad news, so sad, this is very painful
for them down there, unreal...
Here is a real live video just posted up to You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja9LF9k2Rjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ja9LF9k2Rjw
Quote from: burntheships on April 18, 2013, 06:03:03 AM
Oh, 1WW, that is bad news, so sad, this is very painful
for them down there, unreal...
Here is a real live video just posted up to You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja9LF9k2Rjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ja9LF9k2Rjw
These poor folks had no idea what they were driving through. It is some really, really bad stuff!! It can kill you in a matter of minutes just breathing these types of fumes. Poor Waco Public, had too inquire, I know, but have made matters worse, depending on the wind conditions and the humidity ratios/percentages.
Five blocks radius is a big area BTS, I am guessing it was an Anhydrous tank, but, I can't be positive either way by just looking. Either one is bad stuff. :'(
1WW
from the pics it looks like the cloud is moving east.
we have a cold front blowing in from the west that will bring rain to east texas tomorrow and major storms and probly tornadoes for arkansas and missouri tomorrow night.the whole state of texas was covered in some funky rippled clouds .
if it was ammonia that comes down it should make one really large green spot in the local flora.
hopefully the front will dissipate it.
USGS data on the explosion here:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000g9yl#summary
Kind of interesting released part of the story as it unfolds:
QuoteHe compared the damage to the April 19, 1995 explosion that ripped a side off the Albert P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
A team of federal investigators is en route to West.
So, we will have too wait and see again I guess, very unique timing for sure.
1WW
the scoop blog dallas tex said they had two 12?000gallon tanks at 85%full of anhydrous.
Quote from: robomont on April 18, 2013, 09:21:31 AM
the scoop blog dallas tex said they had two 12?000gallon tanks at 85%full of anhydrous.
Well, if those folks down there thought they were going through a drought before, they are really going to have something a head with direction of wind carrying these noxious and dangerous particles of Anhydrous. Animals will die and things aren't going to grow down wind from the explosion for sure.
Thanks for the heads up Robo. Even after this gets semi under control, long term effects will be even more devastating.
Now all we have to hope for is that it isn't a terrorist attack, foreign or domestic. :(
1WW
i was thinkin the same thing about the wind.
winds are at 20miles ph.
at 5:00 the air will cool enough to condense.
this will be 180 miles north by northwest of the explosion.
this will be southern oklahoma.
a storm will be hitting that area at about that time causing more condensing.
just a thought.hopefully dissapates.
Quote from: robomont on April 18, 2013, 09:55:44 AM
i was thinkin the same thing about the wind.
winds are at 20miles ph.
at 5:00 the air will cool enough to condense.
this will be 180 miles north by northwest of the explosion.
this will be southern oklahoma.
a storm will be hitting that area at about that time causing more condensing.
just a thought.hopefully dissapates.
Though it would be in an aerosol state, the physical effects are horrendous to say the least:
QuoteAnhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia can cause severe burns upon contact. Contact
with the liquid ammonia also can cause loss of sight, severe injury
of the respiratory membranes and varying degrees of irritation of
skin, eyes and mucous membranes. For these reasons, use adequate
body protection—a self-contained breathing apparatus with full
face shields (air paks) and full protective clothing. If working
around the shut-off valves, also wear rubber gloves and a rubber
apron to protect your body from contact with liquid.
If you are exposed to liquid anhydrous ammonia, wash the exposed
area with water for at least 15 minutes or until you receive medical
attention.
http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/Chap13/D13-13.pdf (http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/Chap13/D13-13.pdf)
QuoteEcological Effects of Ammonia
Even at extremely low concentrations aquatic life will be harmed by ammonia.
Ammonia occurs naturally in the environment. A small amount of ammonia is generated when lightning strikes and reaches earth in rainfall. But most ammonia is produced by bacteria in water and soil as an end product of plant and animal waste decomposition. It is found in relatively low nontoxic concentrations in soil, air, and water and provides a source of nitrogen for plants.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/chemicals/spills/ammoniaspills/ecoeffects.aspx (https://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/chemicals/spills/ammoniaspills/ecoeffects.aspx)
There is more to come over this event. I know it is not the only isolated event to have ever taken place with such agricultural fertilizers, but with proper precipitation and right wind currents, can cause some serious problems as an airborne aerosol.
QuoteThe U.S. Geological Survey said the fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX registered as a 2.1 magnitude earthquake.
Waco Forecast- 4:30 AM
72* with Thunderstorms
50% Humidity
80% Chance of precipitation
23 mph wind Northerly direction, expected to change over the duration of the day to go E-SE from 10-25 mph expected.
This puts it in direct path of a few larger cities in Texas, though I can't be sure it would get as far North as D/FW area, it could hit Austin, San Antonio or even Corpus Christie with high expectancy for rain fall.
Not good at all Folks.
1WW
This will give you a FEEL for that blast... This is the Pepcon explosion in Las vegas years ago. Watch the shock wave go across the Valley. Two major blasts. Ammonium Nitrate for Rocket Fuel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJVOUgCm5Jk
I remember when that happened Z, actually made the 'Mega Disasters' show on either Discovery or History, can't remember that part, but was devastating none the less. Good example.
1WW
That was before we saw a 'terrorist' under every bed :P
speaking of which... ZZzzz zzzzzzzz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROrpKx3aIjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROrpKx3aIjA&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHmrRVmWm6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MHmrRVmWm6A#!
it should be the ides of april not the ides of march..especially if you check your history...
anyway here are some known facts
(CNN) -- Firefighters at the scene of a massive fertilizer plant explosion in Texas were concerned Wednesday night about anhydrous ammonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anhydrous ammonia is a pungent gas with suffocating fumes that is used as a fertilizer.
When exposed to humans, it can cause various problems:
• Anhydrous means without water
Watch fertilizer plant explode
Plant explosion devastates Texas town
Explosion aftermath 'like Iraq' • Anhydrous ammonia can rapidly cause dehydration and severe burns if it combines with water in the body
• Symptoms can include breathing difficulty; irritation of the eyes, nose or throat; burns or blisters.
• Exposure to high concentrations can lead to death.
• Victims require treatment with large quantities of water for at least 15 minutes
• It must be stored at high pressure, according to the University of Minnesota.
• It is a low-cost, highly effective nitrogen-based fertilizer, the University of Arkansas said.
• It is one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen.
• When released, the vapors initially move close to the ground, causing greater risk for exposure.
One of the worst disasters in U.S. history involving a form of ammonia occurred in April 1947 when a ship loaded with ammonium nitrate -- a solid fertlizer composed of ammonia and nitrogen -- caught fire while docked in Texas City, Texas, in April 1947. The fire caused an explosion that damaged more than 1,000 buildings, according to the website of the Texas Historical Association.
The blast ignited a fire on a second ship docked in Galveston Bay that was also loaded with ammonium nitrate. With most of the city's fire fighters killed in the first blast, the fire burned for 16 hours and caused another huge explosion. Volunteers fought to put out subsequent blazes.
The historical association said almost 400 people were killed and more than 175 were listed as missing. Only a few bodies in the dock area were even recovered.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/anhydrous-ammonia-dangers/index.html
Quote from: robomont on April 18, 2013, 05:39:06 AM
i checked the two sights i go to and there was nothing but they may have deleted them.dont know.
if its another false flag to coverup for boston then its probly civil war in weeks.
holding my breath but it doesnt look good.
obama tried like hell to milk it today.
i thought bidens face was gonna shatter into a million pieces or fall off his skull.
sure is getting weird and the illumanati cards are making it even weirder.
Hmmmm. How fast can We spread a solution?
Posting this Antipodean New's Item from 2011 as a Reference to how different cultures deal with different happenings.
Explosions rattle Melbourne suburbsQuotePolice in Melbourne are seeking information about a series of explosions in the northern suburbs on Friday night.
Three homemade explosives were set off in the Eltham area around midnight, rattling windows in nearby houses and sending debris flying 15 metres.
Sergeant Brenton Smith says it was lucky no one was injured.
"It was a real risk not only to the community who may be walking through those areas, residential areas, but also to the people that are making these devices," he said.
"They're not trained, they're not chemists, they don't know what they are doing. There's a high risk they may in fact injure themselves."
SOURCE:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-17/police-search-for-melbourne-explosives/2904286
That News Article is a case of people having a little too much fun :o ;D
A factory going up in smoke is quite normal where I live in Melbourne. Its not even hard to find a new's article searching "Melbourne Factory on Fire"
Crews bring Melbourne factory fire under control
QuoteA fire which caused millions of dollars of damage to a factory in Melbourne's west this morning has been brought under control.
Firefighters say the metal manufacturing factory in Sunshine North was well alight when they arrived around 5:00am.
They had to work quickly to stop the fire spreading to nearby businesses.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade's David Woods says there were several explosions caused by gas cylinders inside the Munro Avenue building.
"I wasn't the first on scene but even when I turned up, flames were through the roof of the factory and explosions of the gas cylinders could be heard at that time," he said.
The fire is now under control but it is estimated it caused around $2 million worth of damage.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.
No one is believed to have been inside the factory at the time of the blaze, but nearby residents had been warned to stay indoors to avoid smoke and fumes.
SOURCEhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-08/factory-ablaze-in-melbourne27s-west/3938188
RIP to all that suffered the Texan Explosion... :'(
If there really was any angle of CT to these everyday event's I would be taking the insurance scam's gone wrong angle myself :P
Just saying ;)
hmmmmm wtf is this?
Seriously wtf is this guy showing us in the video? I know what he claims it to be but is there another explanation or is this guy in the video onto something????
Edward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2uFOUpIhzE
Quote from: Edward on April 19, 2013, 06:44:48 PM
hmmmmm wtf is this?
Seriously wtf is this guy showing us in the video? I know what he claims it to be but is there another explanation or is this guy in the video onto something????
Edward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2uFOUpIhzE
Wow!!!!! I just found another video of someone slowing down the footage. Now with the one I just linked keep in mind what that guy was saying and look at this one below very thoroughly. Image experts and Deuem need your help on this.
Check out the flow of the "explosion" to.
Also let's take the "hypothesis" from the guy from the first video and follow what is "claimed" to be coming from the left side of the screen. See how the flow of the explosion reacts to what "might" be "incoming". Anyways, there is a lot of information here to digest. Lets find out what's going on?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEB9wS-dk_8
Edward
Yet another angle of the explosion and "sound" just prior to the explosion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLWw24OQFdQ
Edward
Interesting Edward. I have no idea.
Calling all bomb experts to analyze.
The factory was producing anhydrous ammonia. Not Ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate was what was used in the Oklahoma bombing. It was combined with diesel fuel to make that horrific bomb. It is a granular product that comes in bags.
Anhydrous Ammonia is a gas. Farmers use it as a nitrogen source and is applied after the corn is up by injecting it directly in the ground. It is quite harmful if inhaled and the injectors have to remain in the soil or it escapes into the atmosphere.
This is a picture of the tanks that are used to hold the product.
(http://i75.servimg.com/u/f75/17/80/30/86/anhydr10.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=95&u=17803086)
Anhydrous Ammonia is an important source of nitrogen fertilizer for crops. The improper handling of anhydrous ammonia can have catastrophic results on both plants and farm workers. Common injuries are severe burns to eyes, skin and the respiratory tract.
Read on for more info on Anhydrous Ammonia Safety and First Aid for Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure...
Safety Tips
•Personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be worn. Standard PPE should be non-vented goggles, rubber gloves with thermal lining, face shield or an approved respirator. Wear a lightweight rubber suit, or (at the very least) a long sleeve shirt and coveralls.
•Make sure anhydrous ammonia tanks are not filled beyond the recommended capacity.
•Use care when handling the hose end valve so that it does not open accidentally. Do not move hose by handling valve handle.
•Be sure to bleed hose coupling before disconnecting. Use care when cleaning plugged knives as anhydrous ammonia could be built-up behind the plug.
•Use emergency water supply for at least 15 minutes if exposed to anhydrous ammonia and seek emergency medical attention
http://www.gccoop.com/news/post.php?id=71
According to this newspaper article the factory that blew in Texas was also storing ammonium nitrate. Not only were they storing it, but they breached a lot of regulations and ignored safety rules.
They were supposed to report anything over 400 POUNDS of the stuff yet failed to do so. Worse yet they had on site 270 TONS of the stuff. :affraid:
Mix all this with serious breaches - then no wonder it all blew north.
I'm still not sure which way to go with this, can't decide if this is just a serious breach of rules and regulations, therefore, a natural disaster ensued; or whether there there was something more going on in the background that we don't know about yet.
source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/texas-explosion-plant-ignored-safety-rules-8581505.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/texas-explosion-plant-ignored-safety-rules-8581505.html)
Storing ammonium nitrate would not surprise me.
So imagine ammonium nitrate, probably a diesel tank on site for delivery trucks.....>Oklahoma all over again.
Now back to anhydrous ammonia.
Many fertilizer plants either produce or use anhydrous ammonia—a gas that is one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen—as a base for creating different fertilizer types
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130418-west-texas-fertilizer-explosion-fire-anhydrous-ammonia-science/
Hindenburg disaster all over again.
(http://i75.servimg.com/u/f75/17/80/30/86/hinden10.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=96&u=17803086)