Ammonium Nitrate(NH4NO3)

According to a notification by Home Ministry, GoI; it has asked for a ban on Ammonium Nitrate production which puts risk on ammonium nitrate producers on operations. To mitigate the risk of producers, therefore need

attention of stakeholders on how vital NH4NO3 is for the country’s economy.

* The paper is for reference purpose.

AGENDA

Introduction

Uses/Application

How safe?

Observable danger

Recommendation

AMMONIM NITRATE (NH4NO3) An inorganic compound.

It is manufactured by a chemical reaction of Ammonia and nitric acid under controlled

environment.

It is manufactured and marketed in both solid and liquid form.

India’s share of AN market is from domestic production and international imports accounts for

approx. 50 % each.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Colourless crystal.

Odour: Odourless.

Solubility: Easy soluble.

Decomposition: Stable under ordinary condition of use and storage but emit nitrous oxide

when heated to decomposition.

General: Hygroscopic in nature.

USAGE or APPLICATIONUsage:

Used as a key ingredient in the explosives

for Mines, Quarries and Infrastructure.

Used in production of Nitrous Gases for

Anesthesia Purpose in Hospitals.

Dyes and Chemicals.

Metal Cladding in the engineering

industry.

Fertilizer companies use it as an interim

product to manufacturer complex

fertilizers.

Uses: Other Industry

Used in instant cold packs

Used in the treatment of some titanium

ores

Used in the preparation of nitrous oxide

Used in survival kits mixed with zinc

dust and ammonium chloride

Used for making rocket propellant and

in making Guanidine Nitrate.

Products of AN reactions are used in air

bags used in cars

Industrial use of ammonium nitrate, primarily as an explosive material, accounts for about 24% of world ammonium nitrate consumption.

AMMONIUM NITRATE IN MINING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Coal accounts for 65 – 70% of the consumption of the Ammonium nitrate based explosive.

Coal is the mainstay of the Indian energy sector contributing over 51% of the primary energy and

54% of the electricity generation.

The mining and infrastructure sector is the backbone of all industries in India. With the growth ahead

as per the 11th & 12th plan, major focus will be on the coal, iron ore, limestone and infrastructure.

Blasting is one of the key activity in the value chain of mining.

Use of Ammonium Nitrate in Blasting

• Ammonium Nitrate as major ingredient in the manufacturing of explosives.

• Every year country requires more than 650 KMT of Ammonium Nitrate.

Major raw material for all kinds of explosives used for industrial purpose.

SAFE IN USE• Does not blow of its own: Not used singularly for any explosive activity –

Requires a primary charge and a detonator which are controlled and regulated under the Explosive Rules.

• Its physical hazards on human beings and the environment is minimal

• The number of accidents in explosives/ blasting have come down drastically after the stoppage of Nitroglycerine (i.e. Gelatines).

Ammonium Nitrate is not an explosive. It is only an oxygenator.

OBSERVABLE DANGER• Naxals and terrorists use in anti-national activities – therefore require

stringent regulations.

• Due to loose import bulk supply – a rampant pilferage.

• The entire operation is non standard without any accounting norm – vulnerable to pilferage.

• Serious risk perception considering the location of the port and the nearby areas having presence of extremist & naxals.

• Higher risk as large quantity of the material is available at any given point of time and the port area having sensitive habitation in terms of men and machinery.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Regulation- Need to monitor and regulate bulk imports in loose forms of

Ammonium Nitrate.

Licenses- Award of licenses for import of AN to reputed players only.

Import of AN should be Packaged in Bags and not in loose form to avoid

pilferages during transit (Draft (MoH- Ammonium Nitrate rules- 2009

admits the same)

Distribution-– Introduce & regulate a framework in distribution of AN to end users

– Proper arrangements in transit from port/manufacturer to end users - keeping in

view - to safeguard the movements of ammonium nitrate, to avoid misuse.

Thank You !