Katerina Swanson
Diesel fuel is a key ingredient in the creation of ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil), a powerful explosive material. It is also used in Molotov cocktails, a hand-thrown incendiary weapon. The fuel component of ANFO is typically diesel, but kerosene, coal dust, racing fuel, or even molasses can be used instead. ANFO has been used in several bombings around the world, including the Tarata bombing in Lima, Peru, in 1992, and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Molotov cocktails, on the other hand, were used by the Finnish during the Winter War against the Soviet Union, and by the U.S. army, which designated them as frangible grenades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diesel fuel bomb | ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil) |
| Alternative names | Molotov cocktail, frangible grenade |
| Ingredients | Ammonium nitrate, diesel fuel, thickening agents, solvents, polystyrene, baking soda, petroleum jelly, tar, tyre tubing, nitrocellulose, motor oil, rubber cement, detergent, dish soap |
| Ratio | 94% ammonium nitrate, 6% diesel fuel |
| Use | To create a powerful explosive material |
| Preparation | Mix ingredients with specialized equipment to ensure proper distribution and consistency |
| Sensitizer | Finely powdered aluminium |
| Sensitizer function | Increases sensitivity and energy of the mixture |
| Detonation | Requires a detonator and a fuel |
| Detonation process | Detonator creates a detonation wave, which causes ammonium nitrate to vaporize, releasing oxygen gas and igniting the fuel |
| Detonation speed | 2-3 miles per second |
| Pressure waves speed | 1,100 feet (343 meters) per second |
| Notable uses | Tarata bombing in Lima, Peru in 1992, Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Shijiazhuang bombings in China in 2001 |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is one component of ANFO, a tertiary explosive
While diesel fuel cannot be used to produce gasohol, it is a key component of ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil), a tertiary explosive. ANFO is a mixture of solid ammonium nitrate prills and diesel fuel, with a typical ratio of 94% ammonium nitrate to 6% diesel fuel by weight. This combination of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel is highly explosive.
ANFO is commonly used in the mining industry, where it is often prepared on-site using the same diesel fuel that powers vehicles. The low volatility and cost of diesel make it an ideal fuel source for ANFO. It is also used by various militant groups and has been employed in several notable bombings, including the 1973 Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
ANFO is classified as a tertiary explosive or "blasting agent" due to its low sensitivity to detonation. It requires a larger quantity of secondary explosive, known as a primer or booster, to be detonated. Historically, dynamite was used for this purpose, but current practices often involve the use of Tovex or cast boosters of pentolite (TNT/PETN or similar compositions).
While ANFO is a powerful explosive, creating an effective bomb requires specialized knowledge of chemistry and proper mixing techniques. The components must be combined with specialized equipment to ensure the correct distribution and consistency of the mixture.
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Ammonium nitrate is the other component of ANFO
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer in agriculture. It is widely available and purchased due to its effectiveness in helping plants grow. However, when mixed with certain other substances, ammonium nitrate can become highly explosive. This dual-use nature has led to its use as the key ingredient in many improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Ammonium nitrate is one of the two components of ANFO, a powerful explosive material. ANFO stands for Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil. The other component is fuel oil, typically diesel fuel, mixed in a specific ratio of around 94% ammonium nitrate to 6% diesel fuel by weight. The mixture is created using specialised equipment to ensure proper distribution and consistency.
ANFO is highly insensitive, meaning that without a sensitizer, it cannot be detonated by a typical blasting cap. This low sensitivity means it is not generally regulated as a high explosive and is often legally classified as a tertiary explosive or "blasting agent". This classification means that in most jurisdictions, ammonium nitrate does not need to be classified as an explosive for transport purposes, making it easier to obtain and transport.
The insensitivity of ANFO also means that a larger quantity of a secondary explosive, known as a primer or booster, must be used to detonate it. Historically, one or two sticks of dynamite were used, but current practice often involves the use of Tovex or cast boosters of pentolite (TNT/PETN or similar compositions). Finely powdered aluminium can also be added to ANFO to increase its sensitivity and energy, although this is less common in commercial usage due to the added cost.
The use of ANFO in bombings has been recorded in several instances. In 1972, the Provisional IRA adopted the ANFO car bomb, and by 1973, they were consuming 21,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate for the majority of their bombs. The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) also utilised ANFO bombs in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974, which resulted in 34 deaths and nearly 300 injuries.
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ANFO is highly insensitive and requires a sensitizer to detonate
ANFO, or AN/FO, is an explosive made from ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. It is a widely used bulk industrial explosive, with applications in coal mining, quarrying, metal ore mining, and civil construction. ANFO is a tertiary explosive, or "blasting agent", due to its insensitivity. It is legally classified as such because it is not detonator-sensitive and requires a sensitizer to detonate. Its low sensitivity makes it extremely safe to use and difficult to detonate accidentally.
The insensitivity of ANFO is due to its chemical composition. It consists of 94% porous prilled ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and 6% number 2 fuel oil. The ammonium nitrate acts as the oxidizing agent and absorbent for the fuel. While diesel fuel is typically used, other fuels such as kerosene, coal dust, racing fuel, or even molasses can be used. The low volatility and cost of diesel make it ideal for use in mining operations.
To detonate ANFO, a sensitizer is required. Finely powdered aluminium can be added to the mixture to increase its sensitivity and energy. This creates so-called hot spots within the material. Historically, one or two sticks of dynamite were used as a sensitizer. However, current practice is to use Tovex or cast boosters of pentolite (TNT/PETN or similar compositions). These boosters provide a larger quantity of secondary explosive, known as a primer or booster, necessary to detonate ANFO.
The insensitivity of ANFO has led to its use in avalanche hazard mitigation. Its low sensitivity allows it to be safely transported and handled in these applications. While ANFO is not detonator-sensitive, recent developments have led to the use of nitrated chemical sensitizers that introduce both sensitivity and fuel. These include isopropyl nitrate and methylamine nitrate. These complex mixtures were once only achievable under factory conditions, but recent advancements have allowed for on-site manufacture using mixing trucks.
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ANFO is used in mining and by various militant groups
ANFO, or ammonium nitrate/fuel oil, is a widely used bulk industrial explosive mixture. It consists of 94% porous prilled ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) (AN) and 6% number 2 fuel oil (FO). ANFO is typically used in coal mining, quarrying, metal ore mining, and civil construction. It is a popular choice in these industries due to its low cost, ease of use, and the high energy it provides per pound.
The use of ANFO originated in the 1950s, and it has since been used by various militant groups as well. For instance, in 1992, the Tarata bombing in Lima, Peru, was carried out by the Shining Path using two ANFO truck bombs. In 1995, a more sophisticated variant of ANFO, called ANNM, was used in the Oklahoma City bombing. In 2010, police in Greece confiscated 180 kg of ANFO from a hideaway linked to the "Revolutionary Struggle" terrorist group. In 2016, two suspected IRA members were stopped in Dublin with 67 kg of ANFO.
The fuel component of ANFO is typically diesel, but kerosene, coal dust, racing fuel, or even molasses have been used as alternatives. In most jurisdictions, ammonium nitrate doesn't need to be classified as an explosive for transportation, making it easily accessible for militant groups.
While ANFO is a powerful explosive, it has some drawbacks, such as low water resistance and bulk density. Additionally, it produces toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides (NOx) during detonation.
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Diesel fuel is used in Molotov cocktails, a hand-thrown incendiary weapon
While diesel fuel cannot be used to produce gasohol, it is used in diesel engines. Diesel fuel is also a key component in Molotov cocktails, a hand-thrown incendiary weapon.
Molotov cocktails are typically made using a glass bottle filled with flammable liquids and sealed with a cloth wick. In use, the wick is lit and the bottle is thrown, shattering on impact. This ignites the flammable substances contained in the bottle and spreads flames as the fuel burns.
Diesel fuel is one of the many other flammable liquids that can be used in place of, or in combination with, petrol. Thickening agents, such as solvents, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam, baking soda, petroleum jelly, tar, strips of tyre tubing, nitrocellulose, motor oil, rubber cement, detergent, and dish soap, can be added to promote adhesion of the burning liquid and to create clouds of thick, choking smoke.
The Finnish perfected the design and tactical use of the petrol bomb during the Winter War with the Soviet Union in 1939. The British War Office produced training instructions for the creation and use of Molotov cocktails in June 1940. The U.S. army designated Molotov cocktails as frangible grenades, which can be used with thin fuel and varied ignition systems, or with obscurants and chemical weapons.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel is a common ingredient in bombs, often used in combination with other substances.
ANFO is a mixture of solid ammonium nitrate prills and diesel fuel. It is a tertiary explosive, often used in mining and terrorism.
A Molotov cocktail is a hand-thrown incendiary weapon consisting of a frangible container, typically a glass bottle, filled with flammable substances and equipped with a fuse. Diesel fuel can be used as an ingredient.
There is no safe way to detonate a diesel fuel bomb. Bombs are extremely dangerous and illegal in most jurisdictions.
