Detonation Properties of Mixtures of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers and Fuels

Abstract

Detonation properties of mixtures of milled ammonium nitrate based fertilizers and fuels − aluminium or mineral oil − have been determined. The fertilizers used were ammonium nitrate and its compositions with mineral meal; for some compositions additional amount of mineral meal was mixed with the fertilizer. Detonation velocity, Guerney’s energy and limits of detonability of such mixtures have been measured. It was examined that mixtures of mineral oil and fertilizers containing over 20% of mineral meal detonated during the tests. Mixtures of aluminium and fertilizers detonated even if concentration of mineral meal in the fertilizers was 40%.