Studies of Detonation Characteristics of Aluminum Enriched RDX Compositions

Research on the effect of aluminum contents and of its particle size on detonation characteristics of RDX‐based compositions containing 15–60% aluminum was carried out. Measurements of detonation velocity for different charge diameters and confinements were performed. To measure the shock curvature of the detonation wave, X‐ray photography was applied. Unconfined charges and charges confined with a water envelope were tested. The radius of the detonation front curvature was determined. The cylinder test results were the basis for determination of the acceleration ability and energetic characteristics of the detonation products of the mixtures. The Gurney energy describing the acceleration ability was found. The detonation energy of the mixtures tested was also estimated from the cylinder test data.     

Effect of Mixing Methods on the Thermal Stability and Detonation Characteristics of Ammonium Nitrate and Sodium Chloride Mixtures

A study has examined the effect of mixing methods on the thermal stability and detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate (AN) and sodium chloride (NaCl) mixtures. NaCl was mixed with AN by two methods. The thermal stability, detonation velocity and structural properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), measurement of detonation velocity and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). For the mechanical mixing method, in all tested scope of proportions of NaCl in the mixtures, activation energies increase when the proportion of NaCl increases; for solution mixing method, the activation energies decrease first and then start to increase as the proportion of NaCl increases. The detonation velocity of AN‐NaCl mixtures prepared by two mixing methods also showed different results. The results indicate that the mixing methods significantly affect the thermal stability and detonation characteristics of AN.     

Detonation Limits of Air Mixtures with Two-Component Gaseous Fuels

The problem of detonation limits for ternary mixtures of air with a two-component gaseous fuel is considered for a detonation region represented using the Le Chatelier rule. Examples are given of incorrect treatment of conditions for detonation suppression in hydrogen–air mixtures by the addition of hydrocarbons ignoring the overall composition of the mixture. It is suggested that the range of explosion hazard of lean hydrogen–air mixtures is extended by the addition of small amounts of hydrocarbon gases. Key words: detonation, detonation limits, multicomponent fuel mixtures, suppression and promotion of detonation.     

Detonation velocity of highly dispersed ammonium perchlorate and its mixtures with explosive substances

This paper describes the measurement of the detonation velocities close to ideal velocity relative to large charges of highly dispersed ammonium perchlorate (AP) and its mixtures with different explosive substances in thick-walled steel pipes. The relationship of the detonation velocity of AP with its density and the relationship between the detonation velocity of mixtures with the component ratios and oxygen coefficient of the mixtures are determined. The calculation of the detonation velocity of AP/explosive/Al three-component compositions is proposed for the first time.     

Measurement and chemical kinetic prediction of detonation sensitivity and cellular structure characteristics in dimethyl ether-oxygen mixtures

In this work, experiments have been performed to measure the detonation velocities and characteristic cell sizes in the dimethyl ether (DME) fuel-oxygen mixtures. Equilibrium calculation and detailed chemical kinetics modeling of the ZND structure of detonations are also carried out to investigate the detonation characteristics of DME. Detonation cell sizes estimated using a correlation model by Ng et al. [Ng HD, Ju Y, Lee JHS. Assessment of detonation hazards in high-pressure hydrogen storage from chemical sensitivity analysis. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2007;32:93-99] are in good agreement with experimental data. It is found that the cell size values for DME-oxygen mixtures are comparable to those of propane or ethane fuels. At low initial pressure, double cell like detonation structures have been observed in all equivalence ratios considered in this study. Chemical kinetic results reveal that DME oxidation under detonation environment exhibits similarly a two-stage heat release process inside the reaction zone. This effect may play a significant role in the existence and scaling of the multi-cell detonation pattern in stoichiometric and fuel-rich DME mixtures. On the lean side, multiple cells appear to be caused primarily by the strong intrinsic instability of the unsteady detonation front. The present experimental results and chemical kinetic sensitivity analyses provide some basic information to assess detonation hazards in DME-based mixtures.     

Detonation and Blast Wave Characteristics of Nitromethane Mixed with Particles of an Aluminium–Magnesium Alloy

Investigation of detonation parameters, blast wave characteristics and quasi‐static pressures (QSPs) for the mixtures of nitromethane and particles of an aluminium and magnesium (Al₃Mg₄) alloy was carried out. The mixtures of gelled nitromethane containing 15–60 wt.‐% Al Mg alloy were tested. Detonation velocity and Gurney energy were determined. Parameters of blast waves produced by charges of the investigated explosives were measured. QSP measurements were conducted in a steel chamber of 0.15 m³ volume filled with air. Thermochemical and gasdynamical calculations were also performed. The degree of combustion of the metallic addition with the gaseous products during detonation and expansion is discussed.     

Dependence of detonation velocity on charge density for foamed alumotol (Al/TNT) and TNT mixtures

Experimental data are presented on the dependence of the critical diameter and detonation velocity of cast and liquid porous TNT and TA-15 alumotol (Al/TNT) on charge density. The results of the detonation velocity measurements are compared with calculations. Based on this comparison, it is proposed that the reaction during detonation of alumotol is substantially heterogeneous and this is confirmed by plotting the detonation velocity as a function of density for model mixtures of TNT with various amounts of aluminum and an inert component. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp 88–93, July–August 1998.     

Nanometric Aluminum in Explosives

Aluminum nanopowders, because of their larger surface area, can increase the burning rate of propellants. It has been suggested that the powders could also enhance the detonation properties of certain explosives. For these reasons, an experimental study was undertaken to compare the performance of nanometric and micrometric aluminum in various explosives. No enhancement of performance was found in plastic‐bonded explosives. In fact, a reduction of the detonation velocity was found in plastic‐bonded explosives that are based on an energetic binder system. No increase of the detonation velocity was found in mixtures of aluminum and either Composition B or Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil, but a small increase in the heat of detonation was measured. The mixture of TNT and nano‐aluminum demonstrated higher detonation velocities and heats of detonation. The increase was higher at small charge diameters. Nanometric aluminum was shown to reduce the critical diameter of such mixtures, and it is concluded that the nano‐aluminum reacts faster than regular micron‐size particles in TNT/Al compositions.     

Modification of W/O Emulsions by Demilitarized Composition B

A series of W/O emulsion explosives containing 30–50 wt‐% of the demilitarized mixture RDX/TNT (Composition B 50/50) was prepared. Detonation velocities and relative explosive strengths of these mixtures were determined and their detonation characteristics were calculated according to the EU standard methods for commercial explosives. Thermal reactivities of the most reactive components of these W/O mixtures were examined by means of differential thermal analysis and outputs were analyzed according to the Kissinger method. The reactivities, expressed as the E_a ⋅ R⁻¹ slopes of the Kissinger relationship, correlate with the squares of the detonation velocities of the corresponding explosive mixtures. It was found that fortification of the W/O emulsions by the demilitarized mixture RDX/TNT allows modification of detonation velocities of the resulting emulsion explosives within relatively broad limits. However, the effect of this admixture on the relative explosive strength is not well defined. Nevertheless, fortification in this sense can give rock‐blasting explosives with a performance on the level of industrial powdered amatols.     

Detonation Performance of TATP/AN‐Based Explosives

The detonation velocity and performance were determined for four mixtures of triacetone triperoxide (3,3,6,6,9,9‐hexamethyl‐1,2,4,5,7,8‐hexoxonane, TATP), ammonium nitrate (AN) and water (W) by cylinder expansion tests. The composition of these mixtures varied in the following ranges: 21–31% TATP, 37–54% AN and 19–32% W. The obtained results were compared with those of powdery 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), AN‐fuel oil explosive (ANFO) and emulsion explosive. It was found that the tested TATP/AN/W mixtures represent typical non‐ideal explosives with relatively low critical diameter and with high sensitivity to initiation despite the high content of water due to the presence of the primary explosive (TATP). The detonation velocity is comparable to that of powdery TNT (at similar density). However, the acceleration ability is significantly lower than that of powdery TNT.     

Detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate and activated fertilizer mixtures

To better understand the detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate (AN) and activated additives mixtures, potassium chloride (KCl) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) are mixed with AN by different mixing methods. The UN gap test and scanning electron microscopy are applied to study AN and AN-additive mixtures. For the mechanical mixing method, the detonation velocity of AN-additives decreases with increasing the additive proportion, while the detonation velocity of modified AN prepared by the solution mixing method shows the opposite tendency. It is proved that the sensitivity to shock waves increases as the size of AN particles decreases. The type of additives, the mixing methods, and the particle size distribution are important parameters that affect the detonation characteristics of AN.     

Deflagration-to-detonation transition in isopropyl nitrate mist/air mixtures

The characteristics and stages of the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in isopropyl nitrate (IPN) mist/air mixtures are studied and analyzed. A self-sustained detonation wave forms, as is observed from the existence of a transverse wave and a spinning wave structure. The run-up distance of the DDT process and the pitch size of the self-sustained spinning detonation wave in IPN/air mixtures are analyzed. Moreover, a retonation wave forms during the DDT process. Two propagation modes, the high-speed deflagration mode and the self-sustained detonation mode, of the shock-reaction complex (SRC) in IPN mist/air mixtures are found and analyzed. The influence of the mist concentration on the SRC propagation mechanism is studied. The minimum and the optimum IPN mist concentrations for DDT occurrence in IPN mist/air mixtures are determined. The propagation velocity and overpressure of the self-sustained detonation wave in IPN mist/air mixtures are measured and calculated.     

Effects of Aluminum Content on TNT Detonation and Aluminum Combustion using Electrical Conductivity Measurements

To improve the understanding how aluminum contributes in non‐ideal explosive mixtures, cast‐cured formulations were analyzed in a series of electrical conductivity experiments. Five types of TNT‐based aluminized explosives, with aluminum mass fractions from 0 % to 20 % were considered in this study. The electrical conductivity of the detonation products in aluminized explosives was measured using an improved conductivity measurement method. The conductivity measurement results show that the detonation process of TNT‐based aluminized explosives can be divided into two stages: the first stage is the detonation reaction of TNT, and the second stage is the combustion reaction of aluminum with the detonation products. In the first stage, the duration of the TNT detonation increases with increased aluminum content; examination of the peak conductivities of the explosives with various aluminum contents indicated that a higher aluminum content is associated with a lower peak conductivity. Additionally, the ignition time of Al in the second stage is also determined. This work not only presents a means for studying the detonation process of aluminized explosives at 0–2.21 μs, but it also verified the relationship between the aluminum content and electrical conductivity in detonation products.     

Low-velocity detonation limits of gaseous mixtures

Low-velocity detonation regimes in acetylene-oxygen mixtures are studied experimentally. Data are obtained on the kinematics of detonation waves and on the boundaries of the high-velocity, galloping, and low-velocity detonation regions. In lean mixtures, the lower pressure limit for the detonation regimes in narrow channels is found to be an order of magnitude lower than assumed previously under the assumption that the limiting detonation is always spin detonation. The major structural characteristics of low-velocity detonations are calculated. The boundary between low-velocity and galloping detonation is found to correspond almost exactly to equality between the induction time in a particle and the time for it to move from shock wave to flame. Nearly harmonic oscillations of the flame are observed with periods that are related to the longitudinal size of low-velocity detonation waves. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 89–96, May–June 1999.     

Effect of Nano‐Aluminum and Fumed Silica Particles on Deflagration and Detonation of Nitromethane

The heterogeneous interaction between nitromethane (NM), particles of nanoscale aluminum (38 and 80 nm diameter), and fumed silica is examined in terms of the deflagration and detonation characteristics. Burning rates are quantified as functions of pressure using an optical pressure vessel up to 14.2 MPa, while detonation structure is characterized in terms of failure diameter. Nitromethane is gelled using fumed silica (CAB‐O‐SIL^®), as well as by the nanoaluminum particles themselves. Use of nanoaluminum particles with fumed silica slightly increases burning rates compared to the use of larger diameter Al particles; however distinct increases in burning rates are found when CAB‐O‐SIL is removed and replaced with more energetic aluminum nanoparticles, whose high surface area allows them to also act as the gellant. Mixtures including fumed silica yield a reduced burning rate pressure exponent compared to neat NM, while mixtures of aluminum particles alone show a significant increase. Failure diameters of mixture detonations are found to vary significantly as a function of 38 nm aluminum particle loading, reducing more than 50% from that of neat nitromethane with 12.5% (by mass) aluminum loading. Failure diameter results indicate a relative minimum with respect to particle separation (% loading) which is not observed in other heterogeneous mixtures.     

Chemical Kinetics of Detonation in Some Liquid Mixtures

The main objective of this work is to study the chemical kinetics of detonation reactions in some nitroester mixtures and solutions of nitrocompounds in concentrated nitric acid. The main source of information on chemical kinetics in the detonation wave was the experimental dependence of failure diameter on composition of mixtures. Calculations were carried out in terms of classic theory of Dremin using the SGKR computer code. Effective values for the activation energies and pre‐exponential factors for detonation reactions in the mixtures under investigation have been defined.     

Kinetics of Chemical Reactions During Detonation of Mixtures of Organic Substances with Nitric Acid

The kinetics and mechanism of chemical reactions in detonation waves propagating in mixtures of nitric acid with nitroglycol, ethylene glycol dinitrate, and acetic anhydride were studied within the framework of the Dremin—Trofimov theory of the detonation failure diameter. The state parameters in shock and detonation waves were calculated using the SGKR software package. It was shown that the decomposition of mixtures of nitric acid with organic substances in a detonation wave is a complex reaction which includes several stages. Various kinetic models are considered; effective values of the kinetic parameters are calculated for each model and for the entire process.     

Investigation of Gas Detonation in Over-Rich Mixtures of Hydrocarbons with Oxygen

Detonation in mixtures of acetylene, ethylene, and propylene with oxygen in the range of fuel component concentrations with possible formation of carbon condensate in detonation products is studied both experimentally and theoretically. In contrast to the traditional method of studying detonation in a quiescent mixture located in a closed tube, the present investigations are performed in a tube with an open end (for exhaustion of detonation products) under the conditions of separate injection of the components and their mixing after injection into the detonation tube through the ignition chamber. The components are injected into the tube from a computercontrolled multichannel system of gas injection of the CCDS2000 detonation spraying setup. The detonation cell size and detonation velocity are measured; these parameters are also calculated by the BEZOPASNOST (SAFETY) computer program. A comparison of the computed and experimental dependences testifies to a complicated character of transformation of detonation products from a purely gaseous to heterogeneous state and to its effect on the detonation wave.     

The Critical Energy of Direct Initiation in Liquid Fuel‐Air and Liquid Fuel‐RDX Powder‐Air Mixtures in a Vertical Detonation Tube

Multiphase cloud detonation is an important but complex process, which has not been fully understood yet. Direct experimental data about the critical initiation energy (CIE) and pressure/velocity revolution of high explosive powder‐based multiphase cloud detonation is not available in the literature. In this paper, propylene oxide (PO), petroleum ether (PE), isopropyl nitrate (IPN), and a mixture of PE/IPN were individually dispersed to form a cloud in a 200 mm×5400 mm vertical detonation tube. Subsequently, this cloud was directly ignited by a high explosive. The critical initiation energy of various mist/air mixtures was measured by the up and down method. Meanwhile, the pressure history was recorded by six sensors along the detonation tube. RDX powder was added to the system and sprayed simultaneously with the liquid fuel to form a three‐phase gas‐liquid‐solid explosive cloud. The detonation pressure and velocity of all three‐phase cases significantly increased while the corresponding critical initiation energy decreased compared to the liquid‐air analogs. The CIE data were found to have a “U”‐shaped curve relationship to the fuel‐air ratio in two‐ and three‐phase systems, the minimum is always on the fuel‐rich side.     

Two-dimensional cellular structure of a kinetically unstable detonation front

Based on previously published results on the detonation of gaseous and liquid explosives, an explanation is given to the formation of the two-dimensional cellular structure of the detonation front of some gas mixtures undergoing a two-step exothermic transformation at the wave front and suggestions are proposed for the mechanism of development of the two-dimensional cellular structure in the case of detonation transformation of gas mixtures with one-step chemical kinetics. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 80–86, July–August, 2008.