West, TX Fertilizer Plant Explosion analysis (videos/photos)

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Details: Parent Category: Safety Info Posts; Category: Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP); Published: 29 January 2016

1/29/16 UPDATE - CSB Investigation Video and Investigation Report

Comments

#7 Chemist Lee 2013-12-05 19:07

Has anyone looked into the source of all the soot in the (allegedly pure ammonium nitrate) fireball produced by the explosion at West Fertilizer? I would expect a pure ammonium nitrate fireball to be pale blue, not brilliant white fading to bright yellow fading to dimmer orange (like hot black soot). Of course, if more than 1/17 by mass of hydrocarbon had been added to the ammonium nitrate in a deliberate attempt to cause a blast, the fireball would have been sooty.

Any information, anyone?

#6 Chemist Lee 2013-12-04 20:39

I was delighted to see the proper citation on this page for ammonium nitrate fertilizer. (6CFR27 Appendix A) However, 6CFR27.203(c) says:

(c) Theft and Diversion Chemicals. In calculating whether a facility possesses an amount of a theft/diversion chemical of interest that meets the STQ, the facility shall only include theft/diversion chemicals of interest in a transportation packaging, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8. Where a theft/diversion-Chemical Weapons (CW) chemical is designated by “CUM 100g,” a facility shall total the quantity of all such designated chemicals in its possession to determine whether the facility possesses theft/diversion-CW chemicals that meet or exceed the STQ of 100 grams.

So the 2000 pound limit was not aplicable either. West Fertilizer was not required to inform Homeland Security about the ammonium nitrate at all.

#5 _Jim 2013-05-06 00:45

Eric Smith,

It appears that was more of a chemical explosion and did not involve AN:

http://www.nicsinfo.org/docs/shelter%20in%20place.pdf

_Jim

#4 Bryan 2013-04-23 02:06

Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology had identified the burning chemicals as methomyl, thiophante and azinphos-methyl, phosphate-based substances that are blended for use as a crop pesticide

#3 Bryan 2013-04-23 02:05

I found the incident, but the NFPA report does not oint the finger to AN. It says it was a pesticides repackaging facility. Was there ever a USFA investigation report on this explosion and FF fatalities?

#2 Bryan 2013-04-23 02:00

THANKS a million for the info Eric!

#1 Eric Smith 2013-04-22 01:45

Bryan I would like to add we lost 3 firefighter in May of 1997 when a fertilizer plant exploded in West Helena Arkansas.

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