Formation of ANFO Analogues under Fire Conditions in the Presence of Common Plastics

Paweł Wolny, Norbert Tuśnio, Artur Lewandowski, Filip Mikołajczyk and Sławomir Kuberski
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Paweł Wolny: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Norbert Tuśnio: Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland
Artur Lewandowski: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Filip Mikołajczyk: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Sławomir Kuberski: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: This article is a continuation of a case study in which we presented the results of research on processes generated under fire conditions by mixing molten ammonium nitrate (AN) with selected polymers. Here, we present an analysis of how certain materials, which may frequently appear in farm buildings and are commonly used in the immediate vicinity of humans, can potentially form explosives. The chosen materials include polyamides (PA) from which the wear-resistant machine elements are made (e.g., high-performance gears, wheels of transport trolleys); polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used, i.e., in construction carpentry, electrical insulation, and hydraulic pipes; polystyrene (PS) used, i.e., in insulation and containers; and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), i.e., so-called organic glass and plexiglass. The research results showed that these seemingly harmless and safe materials, mixed with AN and heated under fire conditions, may turn into explosives and stimulate stored AN. This creates significant risks of an uncontrolled fire progress.

Keywords: self-acting formation of explosives; ANFO; ammonium nitrate; building materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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