In this article, we shall discuss the proper ways to safely dispose of Tannerite, which is an explosive substance in nature. Furthermore, we also discuss the properties of Tannerite, which emphasise why safely disposing of it is crucial.
How to dispose of tannerite?
There are five major techniques for destroying or safely disposing of explosives:
- functioning in the design mode
- dissolving or diluting by a solvent or
- chemical destruction (including bioremediation)
A mix of approaches may be employed in some cases.
Sea dumping and burying are not ideal disposal options and are not typically regarded as safe ways to dispose of explosives since they do not normally destroy or render explosives harmless.
Explosives should be disposed of in the most appropriate way possible.
The nature of the explosive and its risks, as well as any hazards related with the disposal technique or developed during the disposal process, must all be considered when determining the best disposal approach.
The type and location of any disposal site should also be taken into account when determining the best option. Anyone disposing of explosives should be aware that they have duties to do so in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
What is tannerite?
Tannerite is a brand name for an explosive manufactured from ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, and powdered aluminium (non-explosive chemicals when used separately, but explosive when combined).
In the same way that the brand term “Band-Aid” is used to refer to all forms of adhesive bandages, generic combinations of ammonium nitrate and powdered aluminium are commonly referred to as “Tannerite.”
When struck with a bullet moving at least 2,000 feet per second, tannerite creates a loud noise and a plume of smoke, making it ideal for target practice.
When substantial quantities of the chemicals are mixed, however, a massive explosion occurs. People have begun to use Tannerite for uses other than target practise in recent years, including:
- Commercial blasting
- Product testing
- Special effects
- Gender reveal parties (Tannerite sells a “Boom Box” product for this specific purpose)
How does Tannerite work?
A chemical explosion is made up of two main parts: a fuel and an oxidizer. When the fuel interacts, it releases energy.
The oxidizer supplies the oxygen atoms required for the fuel to react. Wood is the fuel in your fireplace, and the air around us is the oxidizer.
The fuel in the proprietary Tannerite mixture is aluminium powder mixed with titanium. The oxidizer is a combination of ammonium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate, with the “ate” on the ends of those terms being the most important portion.
That is to say, they include oxygen, which is coupled to nitrogen and chlorine atoms in this example. Ammonal is generally merely aluminium powder plus ammonium nitrate in its generic form.
When the components are put together, they require a specific amount of energy to ignite the explosive reaction. That originates from the kinetic energy of a fast-moving bullet in the case of Tannerite.
Aluminium oxide is formed when oxygen atoms leave nitrate and perchlorate and bond to aluminium atoms. That is what gives untreated metal its harsh, ashy appearance.
It operates because the products are more stable than the beginning components, as with all explosive reactions. Energy is released in the form of heat and light when less stable chemicals are converted to more stable ones.
The reaction generates a gas in the case of Tannerite or ammonal, which expands in a sealed container to increase the explosive strength of a bomb.
Ammonium nitrate had previously been implicated in high-profile explosions. It was used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and was the cause of a 15-person death explosion in West, Texas in 2013.
Nitrogen-containing chemicals, such as ammonium nitrate, are used in explosives because they create nitrogen gas. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a well-known example.
Two nitrogen atoms are united by a triple bond to form nitrogen gas, which makes up over 80% of our atmosphere. That triple bond is extremely strong, requiring a great deal of energy to break.
The relationship, on the other hand, releases a tremendous amount of energy as it develops. The production of nitrogen gas is one source of explosive energy in Tannerite or TNT.
Is Tannerite legal?
Yes, Tannerite is both legal and uncontrolled. Tannerite is offered as a “mixing kit,” which requires the buyer to combine the various components of Tannerite.
Tannerite is not classified as an “explosive” as marketed since the components are not explosive on their own, hence it is not controlled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).
A tiny exception to the absence of regulation exists. Possessing explosive materials, including the separate components that compose Tannerite, is unlawful for certain restricted people. Persons who are prohibited include those who:
- Is under indictment or has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year
- Is a fugitive from justice
- Is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance
- Has been adjudicated as a “mental defective” or has been committed to a mental institution
- Is a non-citizen, or “alien” (with some exceptions)
- Has been discharged from the armed forces under dishonourable conditions
- Has renounced their United States citizenship
New York and Indiana are among the states that have introduced laws to limit the sale and distribution of Tannerite.
Only Maryland and California have approved legislation restricting the purchase, use, or transportation of Tannerite (and other explosive materials) without first obtaining an explosives licence.