This video takes you through some of the reasons the Beirut explosion was bright red. The idea that the explosion was red because it was throwing up red dirt/dust is not out of the question, but the amount of red color and the penetration of the red throughout the explosive gas would seem to indicate it is not just dirt. I would expect the red if it were dirt to be on the periphery of the explosive gas, not throughout. Also, the explosion does not appear to come from deep underground, as one would expect if the red gas were dirt. Instead, it appears that the explosion comes from an above-ground warehouse at the port, and it is quite unlikely that the explosion would have thrown dirt from under the ammonium nitrate throughout the explosive gas in this case. The missing ingredient may be Iron. Iron is a necessary trace metal used in agriculture to help support chlorophyll production in plants. I do not know anything about the ammonium nitrate, which caused the Beirut explosion. Still, it is worth investigating whether or not it was a fertilizer that contained quantities of iron. This would not be surprising, and it would account for the unusually deep red color of the explosion. Note: the evicence below seems to show this was not a ferilizer but was a manufactured ammonium nitrate explosive. The photo below is purportedly of the fertilizer in the warehouse immediately before the explosion. Beirut background I have no idea whether this is an accurate photo of the site pre-explosion or not, nor do I know if Nitroprill HO is ammonium nitrate or whether it is ammonium nitrate with Iron. This should be investigated. Whatever this is, there appears to be a lot of it in this large warehouse. It seems that each bag weighs approximately 1000 kg. The spelling of Orica Nitropril is not identical to the spelling on the bags. I do not know if this is normal or important. I might be a name Orica uses for export sales of the product.
I've copied the Technical Data Sheet below but here are a few things which make it appear that the product in the photo is Nitropril: 1. "NitroprilTM is available in bulk, 1100kg four loop FIBC bags or 1200kg single loop FIBC bags." 2. "NitroprilTM is a strong oxidizing substance, which will react with organic materials, reducing agents and metal powders. Whilst not combustible on its own, NitroprilTM supports combustion and increases the intensity of a fire. NitroprilTM is not readily detonated in unconfined conditions, but will react with materials such as strong reducing agents and metal powders. When heated to decomposition, NitroprilTM produces nitrous oxide and white ammonium nitrate mist and or brown fumes. Brown fumes indicate the presence of toxic oxides of nitrogen" The last sentence may be the answer to the question; also, the brown color may have been reddened by either the surrounding dirt or the vaporization of the steel warehouse structure surrounding the Nitropril. The other thing not discussed to date is that this product was many years old, and had been sitting in a warehouse in Beirut for years. One would expect ammonium nitrate sitting in a closed warehouse in a very hot climate would decompose to some extent, this decomposition could have been the cause of the deep red color of the explosion. Again, another thing that need investigation. One this for sure, if this was Nitropril, it is an explosive, not a fertilizer. Nitropril™ If you want to know more click the links. TECHNICAL DATA SHEET NitroprilTM Prilled Ammonium Nitrate Australia Description NitroprilTM is a low density porous prilled grade of ammonium nitrate specifically formulated for use as an oxidizer in blasting agents. Key Benefits
Total Nitrogen by mass 34.0 % minimum Ammonium Nitrate Content 99.0 % minimum Free flowing bulk density 0.72 to 0.78 g/cc3 Solution pH (10 % solution at 20°C) 4.6 – 5.2 Oil Absorption )w/w) 6.0 % minimum Moisture (w/w) 0.2 % maximum Mean prill diameter 1.6 mm – 2.4 mm Total organic carbon (w/w) Not greater than 0.2 % prilled forms of internationally. Safety Features ammonium nitrate available Authorised Name: Proper Shipping Name: UN No. Classification Code: Packaging Group: Hazchem Code: NitroprilTM Ammonium Nitrate 1942 5.1 (oxidizing substance) III 1Y NitroprilTM is a strong oxidizing substance, which will react with organic materials, reducing agents and metal powders. Whilst not combustible on its own, NitroprilTM supports combustion and increases the intensity of a fire. NitroprilTM is not readily detonated in unconfined conditions, but will react with materials such as strong reducing agents and metal powders. When heated to decomposition, NitroprilTM produces nitrous oxide and white ammonium nitrate mist and or brown fumes. Brown fumes indicate the presence of toxic oxides of nitrogen Packaging This product is classified as a Hazardous Chemical and as a Dangerous Good. All regulations pertaining to the handling and use of such oxidizing substances apply. Storage and Transport NitroprilTM in bulk and FIBCs should be stored in a cool, well ventilated area, away from sources of heat or ignition and incompatible materials. It should be kept dry. Ammonium nitrate stores are required to meet certain minimum standards and in most cases require licensing as per local regulations. Reference should be made to the appropriate standards/regulations of the country or local jurisdiction for the storage and handling of oxidizing substances. Ammonium nitrate is required to be transported in strict accordance with the UN publication "Recommendation on the Storage and Handling Product Classification
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