Pramith Priyananda

1. Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! In hot and reactive grounds, the thermal stability of ammonium nitrate (AN) emulsions containing urea is important for safe and efficient blasting. When urea-based emulsions are heated above ∼130 °C for prolonged periods, thermal decomposition and hydrolysis of urea produce ammonia gas.

1 Introduction The global commercial consumption of ammonium nitrate (AN) exceeds 20 million tons. Its two main uses are as a component in high-nitrogen agricultural fertiliser and in mining explosive formulations [1-3]. Usually, granules (prills) are stored for the purpose of manufacturing explosives and fertiliser [4]. Substantial stocks of prill are held at manufacturing factories and bulk storage facilities as loose bulk piles [5].