China is one of big countries in the production and use of ammonium nitrate, and there are about 40 ammonium nitrate production enterprises in the country, with a total production capacity of nearly 7 million tons of ammonium nitrate, and the maximum annual production capacity of a single plant is 800,000 tons, of which solid ammonium nitrate accounts for about 60%.
Ammonium nitrate has the dangerous characteristics of fire, high temperature, violent impact explosion, ammonium nitrate products also have a greater risk, for storage, transportation and other security risks.
Next, let's analyze the correct transportation mode of ammonium nitrate!
In the IMDG Rules, ammonium nitrate is divided into the following items in the rules:
• Class 1 explosive, UN0222, ammonium nitrate substance;
Class 5.1 oxides, UN1942, containing combustible substances greater than 0.2%, including any organic matter in carbon terms, but excluding ammonium nitrate of any other additive;
• Class 5.1 oxide, UN2067, ammonium nitrate based fertilizer;
Class 5.1 oxides, UN3375, ammonium nitrate emulsions or suspensions or gels;
• Miscellaneous Class 9, UN2071, ammonium nitrate based fertilizer (no explosion hazard);
• Items prohibited from transport (2) : ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate that is easy to self-heat and sufficient to cause its decomposition, and ammonium nitrate based fertilizers.
Below we explain the rules corresponding to ammonium nitrate in different entries respectively
1. What is UN0222?
According to Sp370:
(A) Containing combustible substances greater than 0.2%, including any organic matter in carbon terms, but excluding any other additives
(B) Containing combustible substances greater than 0.2%, including any organic matter in carbon terms, but excluding any other additives. However, when tested according to test Series 2 (Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part I), the results are positive.
Packing regulations:
The packing shall comply with the general packing requirements and the special packing requirements for Class 1 explosives. The choice is a combination of packaging, if the use of bags to do the outer packaging, you do not need the inner packaging.
Usually in the sea export, and other goods isolation requirements:
Ammonia compounds should be kept away from explosive substances containing chlorate or perchlorate.
2. What is UN1942?
Ammonium nitrate containing combustible substances greater than 0.2%, including any organic matter in carbon terms, but excluding any other additives, is a class 5.1 oxidizing substance. Negative results were obtained when tested according to test Series 2 (Manual of Tests and Criteria Part I).
Packing regulations:
Relevant requirements must be met, but if bulk packaging is selected, it cannot exceed 3 cubic meters.
Isolation requirements:
SG16: Isolation from Class 4.1.
SG42: Isolation from bromate (SGG3).
SG45: Isolation from chlorates (SGG4).
SG47: Isolation from chlorites (SGG5).
SG48: Isolation from combustible materials (especially liquids), excluding packaging or gasket materials.
SG51: Isolation from chlorites (SGG8).
SG56: Isolation from nitrite (SGG12) classes.
SG58: Isolation from perchlorates (SGG13).
SG59: Isolated from potassium permanganate (SGG14).
SG61: Isolated from metal powder class (SGG15).
The goods have more isolation requirements during transportation, and need to be isolated with a lot of goods, and can not be loaded together in the same container.
In addition, if the goods meet the characteristics of easy self-heating and enough to cause its decomposition, the ammonium nitrate is prohibited from transport at this time!
3. What is UN2067?
This ammonium nitrate based fertilizer is crystal, particle or pellet. Wholly or partly soluble in water. Ignition. The vessel is at risk of explosion in case of fire, if the material is contaminated or tightly closed. A nearby detonation also poses an explosion hazard. In case of strong heat decomposition, the release of toxic gas and combustion gas. This category belongs to class 5.1 oxidizing substances.
Isolation requirements:
Keep away from heat
Similarly, if the item is prone to self-heating and enough to cause it to decompose, it is also prohibited from transport!
4. What is UN3375?
Non-sensitive emulsion, suspension and gel, mainly a mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel, which can be further processed before use to make E explosive. It belongs to Class 5.1 oxides.
Isolation requirements:
It belongs to the ammonia compound class SGG2 (stow class) and has the same isolation requirements as UN1942.
5. What is UN2071
This ammonium nitrate based fertilizer is granular, wholly or partly soluble in water, and the mixture will self-decompose if heated. This reaction produces temperatures of up to 500 degrees, and once decomposition occurs, it can be extended to the entire mixture, producing toxic gases. None of these mixtures pose an explosion hazard.
Ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers conforming to such characteristics belong to category 9 miscellaneous substances.
For this type of transport, the stowage class is A.
Stowage requirements are the same as UN2067.
To sum up, if you want to safely transport ammonium nitrate, remember to strictly stowage and isolate correctly, because ammonium nitrate substances are