Accession Number:

ADA061930

Title:

An Experimental Study of the Sensitiveness of Unconfined Hydrocarbon-Air Mixtures to Direct Detonative Initiation.

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.,

Corporate Author:

PROPELLANTS EXPLOSIVES AND ROCKET MOTOR ESTABLISHMENT WALTHAM ABBEY (ENGLAND)

Personal Author(s):

• Hooper,G.

Report Date:

1978-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

61.0

Abstract:

An experimental technique is described whereby the sensitiveness of a number of hydrocarbonair mixtures is assessed in terms of direct detonative initiation from solid explosive charges. A microwave interferometer is used to monitor continuously the propagation of the reaction zone in the gaseous system over a path length of several metres, and to give a reliable distinction between detonation and deflagration. The hydrocarbons acetylene, ethylene, ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and methane are ranked in order of the sensitiveness of the stoichiometric fuelair mixtures. The critical initiation energy of ethane is measured as a function of fuelair stoichiometry. The minimum initiation energy for various stoichiometric methaneethaneair is assessed. A brief literature survey is included. Author

Descriptors:

• *AIR
• *ALIPHATIC COMPOUNDS
• *SENSITIVITY
• *FUELS
• *HYDROCARBONS
• *DETONATIONS
• EXPLOSIONS
• MIXTURES
• MONITORS
• STOICHIOMETRY
• INTERFEROMETERS
• DEFLAGRATION
• UNITED KINGDOM

Subject Categories:

• Organic Chemistry
• Explosions
• Fuels

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE