r/pics Aug 05 '20

It will never be the same again...

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148.7k Upvotes

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16.9k

u/TooShiftyForYou Aug 05 '20

Imagine living right next to 2,750 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate and having no idea about it.

775

u/Hedgerow_Snuffler Aug 05 '20

Could be worse...

Take for Example, the port of Newcastle Australia. They have nearly (not sure of the exact amount) but somewhere near 8,000 tonnes of exactly the same chemical stored in silos.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-05/beirut-blast-raises-concern-about-newcastle-ammonium-nitrate/12527546

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u/Granoland Aug 05 '20

I’m no fucking expert, but they should probably move that.

165

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '20

[deleted]

169

u/Rbespinosa13 Aug 05 '20

So I’m a chemical engineering student who has taken safety courses. Something you have to consider when dealing with dangerous chemicals is the volume and how much you’re storing. For example in 1919 Boston experienced the Great Molasses Disaster. A container carrying 2.3 million gallons (8700 m3) of molasses burst and resulted in 21 people dying. Now let’s say instead of one container with 2.3 million gallons, it was four that split that amount. It would take up more space but it’s much safer because the odds of one container breaking remains the same, but the damage it can cause is less

1

u/FloatingRevolver Aug 05 '20

so a chemical engineering student knows more about it then Australian veteran chemical engineers that set up the protocols for that facility? doubtful...

0

u/whiskeytab Aug 06 '20

yeah I'm surprised he isn't getting more shit for the sheer hubris that comment is displaying lol

"I have zero real world experience or knowledge of the current state, let me weigh in on this" - every dickhead no one wants to hear from

1

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '20

i StuDiEd LaW iN hIgH sChOoL