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| Science & Technology |
| Fertilizer Defanged |
| 2008-09-25 |
| As terrorists increasingly use ammonium nitrate (a commonly used agricultural fertilizer) for their bombs (by mixing it with fuel oil and setting it off with a detonator), there has been a lot of research by chemical and fertilizer manufacturers to reformulate ammonium nitrate so that it will not so easily explode. The Honeywell corporation found that by adding some ammonium sulfate to the ammonium nitrate, you actually improve the fertilizing ability of the mix (by making the treated soil less acidic), and prevent the fertilizer from being used as an explosive. Actually, you can still use the ammonium sulfate nitrate mix as an explosive, but it requires some creative chemistry to do so, and serves as a technological barrier for most terrorist groups. ... |
| Posted by:ed |
| #7 Magnesium sulfate is Epsom Salt. Ammonium sulfate would still have an acidic reaction. I think the pyro guys say it can be a high temp oxidizer. Sulfur is a plant nutrient and last time we tested the nursery we were low in sulfur see what happens with all that low sulfur fuels. |
| Posted by: bruce 2008-09-25 20:25 |
| #6 Ammonium sulfate... Isn't that Epson salt? |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-09-25 18:23 |
| #5 you can still use the ammonium sulfate nitrate mix as an explosive, but it requires some creative chemistry to do so Mixing it 50/50 with some TATP should take care of that little problem! |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-09-25 17:44 |
| #4 March 2004 Speciality Fertilizer Products, a company based in Belton, Missouri, is patenting a water-soluble polymer coating for the fertiliser granules that repels fuel oil. The coating dissolves rapidly in soil, so it would not interfere with ammonium nitrate's main function as fertiliser. If it works and is widely adopted, the treatment could make it harder for terrorists to turn fertiliser-grade ammonium nitrate into bombs, and could also help prevent industrial accidents. |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2008-09-25 16:57 |
| #3 use google tipover. Here's the first link. "ammonium nitrate" + Wanted 10 tons delivered |
| Posted by: Red Dawg 2008-09-25 15:56 |
| #2 Does anyone have more information on this such as cost, source for ammonium sulfate, pros and cons? To me this is basically a fluff piece from some manufacturer. Maybe they are hoping the Dems will mandate the mix without considering the consequences. |
| Posted by: tipover 2008-09-25 15:18 |
| #1 Curses! Foiled again. |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2008-09-25 15:09 |