What does ammonium nitrate and diesel make?
Sarah Cherry
Published Mar 15, 2026
What does ammonium nitrate and diesel make?
In the mining industry, the term ANFO specifically describes a mixture of solid ammonium nitrate prills and diesel fuel. Other explosives based on the ANFO chemistry exist; the most commonly used are emulsions. These voids are necessary to sensitize ANFO: they create so-called “hot spots”.
What is the best ratio of ammonium nitrate to diesel?
The usual ANFO formulation contains about 94% by weight ammonium nitrate and 6% diesel fuel oil. If recycled (used) lubricating oil could be safely substituted for the fuel oil, up to about 27 million gallons could be consumed.
Does ammonium nitrate need diesel to explode?
“Detonation of ammonium nitrate does not require additional fuel but is often set off by an initial fire which then causes the bulk material to blow. “The orange plume above the explosion site is due to nitrogen dioxide, the toxic air pollution gas, and is a tell-tale sign of a nitrate-based explosion.
What happens when you mix ammonium nitrate and gasoline?
The ammonium and nitrate molecules break down, and a large amount of oxygen gas is suddenly formed. The gas released from the decomposing fertilizer is what drives the explosion. The rapid release of oxygen, along with the energy from the detonation wave, ignites the fuel.
How do you make ammonium nitrate?
First, ammonium nitrate solution is prepared by reacting preheated ammonia with nitric acid in a neutralizer. The heat of reaction is utilized for evaporation and 80–83% ammonium nitrate solution is obtained. This concentrated solution is further concentrated to obtain 92–94% solution in a vacuum concentrator.
What is c4 made of?
C-4 is made up of explosives, plastic binder, plasticizer and, usually, marker or taggant chemicals such as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMDNB) to help detect the explosive and identify its source.
Is it illegal to buy ammonium nitrate?
But in the US, you can buy ammonium nitrate on Amazon, at gardening stores, or from agricultural suppliers. The US Department of Homeland Security is required to “regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility” to prevent people from using it for terrorism.
At what temperature does ammonium nitrate explode?
Although it starts decomposing at temperatures of about 388 F (170 C), relatively pure ammonium nitrate does not typically explode until temperatures between 500–572 F (260–300 C) or higher are reached.
How do you make ammonia at home?
Add a catalyst such as ferric oxide and exactly enough air to the hydrogen gas to provide one nitrogen atom for every three hydrogen atoms. Subject this gas mixture to very high pressure to produce ammonia according to the following reaction: 3 H2 + N2 –> 2 NH3.
Is it legal to buy ammonium nitrate?
Can I eat C4?
When ingested, C4 results in serious CNS effects such as generalized seizures in addition to renal and GI symptoms. Based on previous reports, the toxic presentation is transient and treatment is supportive. Critical actions include airway maintenance, seizure control, and fluid resuscitation.