What caused the Toulouse explosion?
What caused the Toulouse explosion?
The explosion was heard 80 km (50 miles) away….Toulouse chemical factory explosion.
| AZF from city center, 4 or 5 km (through tourist public telescope) | |
|---|---|
| Date | 21 September 2001 |
| Cause | Sodium dichloroisocyanurate and ammonium nitrate mishandling and reaction |
| Deaths | 31 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2,500 |
What was the material that exploded in the AZF fertilizer factory?
The factory was close to the city: one of the most inhabited areas, Le Mirail, is just one kilometre away (0.6 miles)….Toulouse chemical factory explosion.
| Date | 21 September 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | Toulouse |
| Type | Explosion (~20–30 tons of TNT) |
| Cause | Sodium dichloroisocyanurate and ammonium nitrate mishandling and reaction |
| Deaths | 31 |
How many people died in the AZF fertilizer factory incident?
During the morning of September 21, 2001, a warehouse containing ca. 300 metric tons of production rejects of ammonium nitrate granulates exploded in the AZF/Grande Paroisse plant of Toulouse (France), causing 31 deaths, hundreds of casualties, and enormous damages.
How does ammonium nitrate blast?
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.
Why do farmers add ammonium nitrate to the soil?
Farmers use fertilisers like ammonium nitrate to help crops to grow and increase yields. This ammonia is converted to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. In some conditions denitrifying bacteria in the soil break down nitrates and return nitrogen back to the air. This is usually in waterlogged soil.
Can a person buy ammonium nitrate?
You can make ammonium nitrate from common household chemicals. Keep in mind, though, that you can buy ammonium nitrate as a pure chemical; alternatively, you can collect it from instant cold packs or some fertilizers more easily and inexpensively than making it yourself.
Why is ammonium nitrate illegal?
Because of its danger and potential use by terrorists, ammonium nitrate is subject to strict regulation in most places. In 2011, according to NBC News, the Department of Homeland Security established rules limiting the sale of the compound, which is also used as an explosive in the construction and mining industries.
Why can’t plants directly use nitrogen?
Earth’s atmosphere contains a huge pool of nitrogen gas (N2). But this nitrogen is “unavailable” to plants, because the gaseous form cannot be used directly by plants without undergoing a transformation. Fixation converts nitrogen in the atmosphere into forms that plants can absorb through their root systems.
What was the cause of the Toulouse explosion?
This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn’t claimed this research yet. More than three years after the Toulouse disaster, on 21st september 2001, the direct causes of the explosion of the storage of roughly 400 tons of off-specification ammonium nitrate (AN) in a fertilizer plant are not clearly established.
How many people died in the fertiliser explosion in Toulouse?
Two production halls of the AZF fertiliser factory, a subsidiary of AtoFina and part of the oil giant TotalFinaElf, literally flew into the air. Initial reports spoke of 29 dead and 34 with severe injuries. A total of 2,400 were injured, most of them with cuts arising from splintered, flying glass.
Is the AZF petrochemical factory in Toulouse dangerous?
Toulouse is the home of France’s air and space industry. For years the AZF petrochemical factory has been regarded as a ticking time bomb. Dangerous conditions in the factory were well known and a source of concern and debate at every local election.
Where was the chemical factory in Toulouse located?
The factory was close to the city: one of the most inhabited areas, Le Mirail, is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) away. Several schools, a university campus, a general hospital and a psychiatric hospital had to be evacuated.