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I'd like to know why it initially sounds like fireworks https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1290683991369097216 https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/129

I'd like to know why it initially sounds like fireworks https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1290683991369097216 https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1290683991369097216 [camera operator probably would have died in the second blast] Is that what set it off? Or is that what ammonium nitrate sounds like burning?

GaryNumanVevo 6y ago
AFAIK the fireworks supply fire was the primary and the ammonium nitrate was secondary
jcranmer 6y ago
From what I understand, ammonium nitrate isn't particularly flammable, until it gets hot--then it gets explosive. Furthermore, ammonium nitrate conflagrations tend to give a distinctive reddish smoke cloud. The cloud accompanying the big explosion has a very distinct red tint to it, indicating that it's a result of the ammonium nitrate going off. That before it doesn't, which suggests that the ammonium nitrate wasn't burning at the time. If you compare the Texas City disaster, it's noted that spectators were drawn towards the site by the unusual smoke clouds before the big explosion happened. There's a lot of details that aren't clear yet, but a variety of materials being stored in a warehouse catching fire, with fireworks going off first and the ammonium nitrate going off last, is consistent with the known facts. It would, however, be exceptionally bad safety practices to store ammonium nitrate anywhere near something like fireworks. Then again, storing a large amount in a warehouse right next to downtown Beirut is itself insane, considering it has a history of being implicated in the largest explosions not involving nuclear weapons.
- IAmGraydon 6y ago
  Ammonium nitrate does not release nitrogen dioxide unless it undergoes high-order detonation.
  - refurb 6y ago
    Apparently burning NH4NO3 can produce nitrogen oxides, but it's highly dependent on conditions.[1] The deflagration of solid AN may produce NOx (an orange plume)... Thermal decomposition produces nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and water. [1]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010218019305358 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001021801...
  - jandrewrogers 6y ago
    Ammonium nitrate will decompose into nitrogen dioxide under a number of conditions other than detonation. Even under detonation, it implies an excessively oxygen-rich environment.
    - IAmGraydon 6y ago
      No, it doesn’t imply an oxygen rich environment. It implies a high oxygen balance (in the explosive compound/mixture itself).
kthxbye123 6y ago
Just as an FYI, this account is a well known fake persona run by MEK cultists in Albania, not really a great source of info- note that it immediately began boosting a completely unsubstantiated theory that the explosion was caused by a depot of Iranian munitions.
- aaron695 6y ago
  Thanks. I did check and it was quickly geo-located - https://twitter.com/N_Waters89/status/1290688278094647298 https://twitter.com/N_Waters89/status/1290688278094647298

GaryNumanVevo 6y ago

AFAIK the fireworks supply fire was the primary and the ammonium nitrate was secondary

jcranmer 6y ago

From what I understand, ammonium nitrate isn't particularly flammable, until it gets hot--then it gets explosive. Furthermore, ammonium nitrate conflagrations tend to give a distinctive reddish smoke cloud. The cloud accompanying the big explosion has a very distinct red tint to it, indicating that it's a result of the ammonium nitrate going off. That before it doesn't, which suggests that the ammonium nitrate wasn't burning at the time. If you compare the Texas City disaster, it's noted that spectators were drawn towards the site by the unusual smoke clouds before the big explosion happened. There's a lot of details that aren't clear yet, but a variety of materials being stored in a warehouse catching fire, with fireworks going off first and the ammonium nitrate going off last, is consistent with the known facts. It would, however, be exceptionally bad safety practices to store ammonium nitrate anywhere near something like fireworks. Then again, storing a large amount in a warehouse right next to downtown Beirut is itself insane, considering it has a history of being implicated in the largest explosions not involving nuclear weapons.

IAmGraydon 6y ago
Ammonium nitrate does not release nitrogen dioxide unless it undergoes high-order detonation.
- refurb 6y ago
  Apparently burning NH4NO3 can produce nitrogen oxides, but it's highly dependent on conditions.[1] The deflagration of solid AN may produce NOx (an orange plume)... Thermal decomposition produces nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and water. [1]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010218019305358 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001021801...
- jandrewrogers 6y ago
  Ammonium nitrate will decompose into nitrogen dioxide under a number of conditions other than detonation. Even under detonation, it implies an excessively oxygen-rich environment.
  - IAmGraydon 6y ago
    No, it doesn’t imply an oxygen rich environment. It implies a high oxygen balance (in the explosive compound/mixture itself).

kthxbye123 6y ago

Just as an FYI, this account is a well known fake persona run by MEK cultists in Albania, not really a great source of info- note that it immediately began boosting a completely unsubstantiated theory that the explosion was caused by a depot of Iranian munitions.

aaron695 6y ago
Thanks. I did check and it was quickly geo-located - https://twitter.com/N_Waters89/status/1290688278094647298 https://twitter.com/N_Waters89/status/1290688278094647298