A Binary Eutectic Mixture of TNAZ and R-Salt Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandstrom, Mary; Manner, Virginia; Pemberton, Steven; Lloyd, Joseph; Tappan, Bryce

2011-06-01

TNAZ is a high performing explosive that is melt castable. However, the casting process can be problematic since TNAZ has a high vapor pressure exacerbated by a fairly high melting temperature. In order to mitigate the ill effects of its high vapor pressure, including a lower melting explosive was explored by making a series of mixtures of TNAZ and R-Salt. Initially, a eutectic temperature and composition was theoretically determined. Then a phase diagram was constructed from a series and mixtures by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The vapor pressure of the eutectic composition was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Cylinder testing of the eutectic composition was carried out in copper tubes, 5'' long with 1/2 ``inner diameter and 1/16'' thick walls. The detonation velocity was measured using wire switches along the cylinder length and the expanding wall velocity was measured using PDV gauges. A rough evaluation of JWL equation-of-state parameters has been carried out. A more detailed evaluation is in progress.

30 CFR 27.33 - Test to determine explosion-proof construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Test to determine explosion-proof construction. 27.33 Section 27.33 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TESTING, EVALUATION, AND APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS METHANE-MONITORING SYSTEMS Test Requirements § 27.33...

30 CFR 27.33 - Test to determine explosion-proof construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test to determine explosion-proof construction. 27.33 Section 27.33 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TESTING, EVALUATION, AND APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS METHANE-MONITORING SYSTEMS Test Requirements § 27.33...

Multichannel Discriminative Detection of Explosive Vapors with an Array of Nanofibrous Membranes Loaded with Quantum Dots.

PubMed

Wu, Zhaofeng; Duan, Haiming; Li, Zhijun; Guo, Jixi; Zhong, Furu; Cao, Yali; Jia, Dianzeng

2017-11-20

The multichannel fluorescent sensor array based on nanofibrous membranes loaded with ZnS quantum dots (QDs) was created and demonstrated for the discriminative detection of explosives. The synergistic effect of the high surface-to-volume ratio of QDs, the good permeability of nanofibrous membranes and the differential response introduced by surface ligands was played by constructing the sensing array using nanofibrous membranes loaded with ZnS QDs featuring several surface ligands. Interestingly, although the fluorescence quenching of the nanofibrous membranes is not linearly related to the exposure time, the fingerprint of each explosive at different times is very similar in shape, and the fingerprints of the three explosives show different shapes. Three saturated vapors of nitroaromatic explosives could be reliably detected and discriminated by the array at room temperature. This work is the first step toward devising a monitoring system for explosives in the field of public security and defense. It could, for example, be coupled with the technology of image recognition and large data analysis for a rapid diagnostic test of explosives. This work further highlights the power of differential, multichannel arrays for the rapid and discriminative detection of a wide range of chemicals.

Multichannel Discriminative Detection of Explosive Vapors with an Array of Nanofibrous Membranes Loaded with Quantum Dots

PubMed Central

Wu, Zhaofeng; Duan, Haiming; Li, Zhijun; Guo, Jixi; Zhong, Furu; Cao, Yali; Jia, Dianzeng

2017-01-01

The multichannel fluorescent sensor array based on nanofibrous membranes loaded with ZnS quantum dots (QDs) was created and demonstrated for the discriminative detection of explosives. The synergistic effect of the high surface-to-volume ratio of QDs, the good permeability of nanofibrous membranes and the differential response introduced by surface ligands was played by constructing the sensing array using nanofibrous membranes loaded with ZnS QDs featuring several surface ligands. Interestingly, although the fluorescence quenching of the nanofibrous membranes is not linearly related to the exposure time, the fingerprint of each explosive at different times is very similar in shape, and the fingerprints of the three explosives show different shapes. Three saturated vapors of nitroaromatic explosives could be reliably detected and discriminated by the array at room temperature. This work is the first step toward devising a monitoring system for explosives in the field of public security and defense. It could, for example, be coupled with the technology of image recognition and large data analysis for a rapid diagnostic test of explosives. This work further highlights the power of differential, multichannel arrays for the rapid and discriminative detection of a wide range of chemicals. PMID:29156627

10,000 Years of explosive eruptions of Merapi Volcano, Central Java: archaeological and modern implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Newhall, C.G.; Bronto, S.; Alloway, B.; Banks, N.G.; Bahar, I.; Del Marmol, M.A.; Hadisantono, R.D.; Holcomb, R.T.; McGeehin, J.; Miksic, J.N.; Rubin, M.; Sayudi, S.D.; Sukhyar, R.; Andreastuti, Supriyati; Tilling, R.I.; Torley, R.; Trimble, D.; Wirakusumah, A.D.

2000-01-01

Stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of pyroclastic deposits at Merapi Volcano, Central Java, reveals ~10,000 years of explosive eruptions. Highlights include: (1) Construction of an Old Merapi stratovolcano to the height of the present cone or slightly higher. Our oldest age for an explosive eruption is 9630±60 14C y B.P.; construction of Old Merapi certainly began earlier. (2) Collapse(s) of Old Merapi that left a somma rim high on its eastern slope and sent one or more debris avalanche(s) down its southern and western flanks. Impoundment of Kali Progo to form an early Lake Borobudur at ~3400 14C y B.P. hints at a possible early collapse of Merapi. The latest somma-forming collapse occurred ~1900 14C y B.P. The current cone, New Merapi, began to grow soon thereafter. (3) Several large and many small Buddhist and Hindu temples were constructed in Central Java between 732 and ~900 A.D. (roughly, 1400-1000 14C y B.P.). Explosive Merapi eruptions occurred before, during and after temple construction. Some temples were destroyed and (or) buried soon after their construction, and we suspect that this destruction contributed to an abrupt shift of power and organized society to East Java in 928 A.D. Other temples sites, though, were occupied by "caretakers" for several centuries longer. (4) A partial collapse of New Merapi occurred 14C y B.P. Eruptions ~700-800 14C y B.P. (12-14th century A.D.) deposited ash on the floors of (still-occupied?) Candi Sambisari and Candi Kedulan. We speculate but cannot prove that these eruptions were triggered by (the same?) partial collapse of New Merapi, and that the eruptions, in turn, ended "caretaker" occupation at Candi Sambisari and Candi Kedulan. A new or raised Lake Borobudur also existed during part or all of the 12-14th centuries, probably impounded by deposits from Merapi. (5) Relatively benign lava-dome extrusion and dome-collapse pyroclastic flows have dominated activity of the 20th century, but explosive eruptions much larger than any of this century have occurred many times during Merapi's history, most recently during the 19th century. Are the relatively small eruptions of the 20th century a new style of open-vent, less hazardous activity that will persist for the foreseeable future? Or, alternatively, are they merely low-level "background" activity that could be interrupted upon relatively short notice by much larger explosive eruptions? The geologic record suggests the latter, which would place several hundred thousand people at risk. We know of no reliable method to forecast when an explosive eruption will interrupt the present interval of low-level activity. This conclusion has important implications for hazard evaluation.

27 CFR 555.103 - Transactions among licensees/permittees and transactions among licensees and holders of user...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... explosive materials, e.g., resale, mining, quarrying, agriculture, construction, sport rocketry, road... the explosive materials, e.g., resale, mining, quarrying, agriculture, construction, sport rocketry... Management and Budget under control number 1140-0079) [ATF No. 1, 68 FR 13787, Mar. 20, 2003, as amended by...

Explosive east coast cyclogenesis over the west-central North Atlantic Ocean - A composite study derived from ECMWF operational analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manobianco, John

1989-01-01

This paper describes the observational aspects of explosive east-coast cyclogenesis using composites constructed from the daily global analyses generated and archived by ECMWF. An explosively deepening storm or bomb is defined as an extratropical cyclone whose mean sea-level pressure falls at least 1 mb/h for 24 h. The ECMWF data sets are used to examine the three-dimensional kinematic and thermodynamic structure of bombs over the entire depth of the troposphere. The evolution and structure of the composite bomb is diagnosed using a moving coordinate system consisting of a box with dimensions of 35 x 35 deg of latitude-longitude. The results reveal that explosive cyclogenesis is a baroclinic phenomenon in which the rapid development in the presence of strong upper tropospheric forcing is most likely enhanced by a highly destabilized lower troposphere.

FY97 Environmental Technology Division Annual Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-12-01

Stripping System at Letterkenny Army Depot ......... 83 Peroxone Treatment of Explosives-Contaminated Groundwater ........ 84 Phytoremediation in Hawaii...86 Phytoremediation of Explosives in Groundwater Using Constructed Wetlands .................................. 88... Phytoremediation of Lead in Soil ............................... 91 Plant Uptake and Weathering Studies on Composted Explosives-Contaminated Soil

An AIEE fluorescent supramolecular cross-linked polymer network based on pillar[5]arene host-guest recognition: construction and application in explosive detection.

PubMed

Shao, Li; Sun, Jifu; Hua, Bin; Huang, Feihe

2018-05-08

Here a novel fluorescent supramolecular cross-linked polymer network with aggregation induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties was constructed via pillar[5]arene-based host-guest recognition. Furthermore, the supramolecular polymer network can be used for explosive detection in both solution and thin films.

Seismic explosive charge loader and anchor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mcreynolds, O.B.

1981-07-14

An improved seismic explosive charge loader and anchor for loading and anchoring explosives in cylindrical containers in bore holes is disclosed, which includes a snap in spring band shaped anchor which effectively anchors the loader in the well bore against upward movement, one aspect of the invention includes a snap lock threaded connection for securing an explosive container having interrupted threads to the loader and anchor, and the loader and anchor is constructed and arranged to maintain a detonator in place in the explosive container thereby assuring detonation of the explosive.

A Study of a QCM Sensor Based on TiO₂ Nanostructures for the Detection of NO₂ and Explosives Vapours in Air.

PubMed

Procek, Marcin; Stolarczyk, Agnieszka; Pustelny, Tadeusz; Maciak, Erwin

2015-04-22

The paper deals with investigations concerning the construction of sensors based on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) containing a TiO2 nanostructures sensor layer. A chemical method of synthesizing these nanostructures is presented. The prepared prototype of the QCM sensing system, as well as the results of tests for detecting low NO2 concentrations in an atmosphere of synthetic air have been described. The constructed NO2 sensors operate at room temperature, which is a great advantage, because resistance sensors based on wide gap semiconductors often require much higher operation temperatures, sometimes as high as 500 °C. The sensors constructed by the authors can be used, among other applications, in medical and chemical diagnostics, and also for the purpose of detecting explosive vapours. Reactions of the sensor to nitroglycerine vapours are presented as an example of its application. The influence of humidity on the operation of the sensor was studied.

A Study of a QCM Sensor Based on TiO2 Nanostructures for the Detection of NO2 and Explosives Vapours in Air

PubMed Central

Procek, Marcin; Stolarczyk, Agnieszka; Pustelny, Tadeusz; Maciak, Erwin

2015-01-01

The paper deals with investigations concerning the construction of sensors based on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) containing a TiO2 nanostructures sensor layer. A chemical method of synthesizing these nanostructures is presented. The prepared prototype of the QCM sensing system, as well as the results of tests for detecting low NO2 concentrations in an atmosphere of synthetic air have been described. The constructed NO2 sensors operate at room temperature, which is a great advantage, because resistance sensors based on wide gap semiconductors often require much higher operation temperatures, sometimes as high as 500 °C. The sensors constructed by the authors can be used, among other applications, in medical and chemical diagnostics, and also for the purpose of detecting explosive vapours. Reactions of the sensor to nitroglycerine vapours are presented as an example of its application. The influence of humidity on the operation of the sensor was studied. PMID:25912352

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Operation of the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility at Site 300 of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Volume 1: Report of Results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gallegos, G; Daniels, J; Wegrecki, A

2006-04-24

This document contains the human health and ecological risk assessment for the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) permit renewal for the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility (EWTF). Volume 1 is the text of the risk assessment, and Volume 2 (provided on a compact disc) is the supporting modeling data. The EWTF is operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at Site 300, which is located in the foothills between the cities of Livermore and Tracy, approximately 17 miles east of Livermore and 8 miles southwest of Tracy. Figure 1 is a map of the San Francisco Bay Area, showingmore » the location of Site 300 and other points of reference. One of the principal activities of Site 300 is to test what are known as ''high explosives'' for nuclear weapons. These are the highly energetic materials that provide the force to drive fissionable material to criticality. LLNL scientists develop and test the explosives and the integrated non-nuclear components in support of the United States nuclear stockpile stewardship program as well as in support of conventional weapons and the aircraft, mining, oil exploration, and construction industries. Many Site 300 facilities are used in support of high explosives research. Some facilities are used in the chemical formulation of explosives; others are locations where explosive charges are mechanically pressed; others are locations where the materials are inspected radiographically for such defects as cracks and voids. Finally, some facilities are locations where the machined charges are assembled before they are sent to the on-site test firing facilities, and additional facilities are locations where materials are stored. Wastes generated from high-explosives research are treated by open burning (OB) and open detonation (OD). OB and OD treatments are necessary because they are the safest methods for treating explosives wastes generated at these facilities, and they eliminate the requirement for further handling and transportation that would be required if the wastes were treated off site.« less

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Operation of the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility at Site 300 of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gallegos, G; Daniels, J; Wegrecki, A

2007-10-01

This document contains the human health and ecological risk assessment for the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) permit renewal for the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility (EWTF). Volume 1 is the text of the risk assessment, and Volume 2 (provided on a compact disc) is the supporting modeling data. The EWTF is operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at Site 300, which is located in the foothills between the cities of Livermore and Tracy, approximately 17 miles east of Livermore and 8 miles southwest of Tracy. Figure 1 is a map of the San Francisco Bay Area, showingmore » the location of Site 300 and other points of reference. One of the principal activities of Site 300 is to test what are known as 'high explosives' for nuclear weapons. These are the highly energetic materials that provide the force to drive fissionable material to criticality. LLNL scientists develop and test the explosives and the integrated non-nuclear components in support of the United States nuclear stockpile stewardship program as well as in support of conventional weapons and the aircraft, mining, oil exploration, and construction industries. Many Site 300 facilities are used in support of high explosives research. Some facilities are used in the chemical formulation of explosives; others are locations where explosive charges are mechanically pressed; others are locations where the materials are inspected radiographically for such defects as cracks and voids. Finally, some facilities are locations where the machined charges are assembled before they are sent to the onsite test firing facilities, and additional facilities are locations where materials are stored. Wastes generated from high-explosives research are treated by open burning (OB) and open detonation (OD). OB and OD treatments are necessary because they are the safest methods for treating explosives wastes generated at these facilities, and they eliminate the requirement for further handling and transportation that would be required if the wastes were treated off site.« less

An experimental study of an explosively driven flat plate launcher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rae, Philip; Haroz, Erik; Armstrong, Chris; Perry, Lee; M Division Team

2017-06-01

For some upcoming experiments it is desired to impact a large explosive assembly with one or more moderate diameter flat metal plates traveling at high velocity (2-3 km s-1). The time of arrival of these plates will need to carefully controlled and delayed (i.e. the time(s) of arrival known to approximately a microsecond). For this reason, producing a flyer plate from more traditional gun assemblies is not possible. Previous researchers have demonstrated the ability to throw reasonably flat metal flyers from the so-called Forest flyer geometry. The defining characteristics of this design are a carefully controlled reduction in explosive area from a larger explosive plane-wave-lens and booster pad to a smaller flyer plate to improve the planarity of the drive available and an air gap between the explosive booster and the plate to reduce the peak tensile stresses generated in the plate to suppress spalling. This experimental series comprised a number of different design variants and plate and explosive drive materials. The aim was to calibrate a predictive computational modeling capability on this kind of system in preparation for later more radical design ideas best tested in a computer before undertaking the expensive business of construction.

Energy transfer through a multi-layer liner for shaped charges

DOEpatents

Skolnick, Saul; Goodman, Albert

1985-01-01

This invention relates to the determination of parameters for selecting materials for use as liners in shaped charges to transfer the greatest amount of energy to the explosive jet. Multi-layer liners constructed of metal in shaped charges for oil well perforators or other applications are selected in accordance with the invention to maximize the penetrating effect of the explosive jet by reference to four parameters: (1) Adjusting the explosive charge to liner mass ratio to achieve a balance between the amount of explosive used in a shaped charge and the areal density of the liner material; (2) Adjusting the ductility of each layer of a multi-layer liner to enhance the formation of a longer energy jet; (3) Buffering the intermediate layers of a multi-layer liner by varying the properties of each layer, e.g., composition, thickness, ductility, acoustic impedance and areal density, to protect the final inside layer of high density material from shattering upon impact of the explosive force and, instead, flow smoothly into a jet; and (4) Adjusting the impedance of the layers in a liner to enhance the transmission and reduce the reflection of explosive energy across the interface between layers.

Demonstration plan for phytoremediation of explosive-contaminated groundwater in constructed wetlands at Milan Army Ammunition Plant Milan Tennessee. Volume 2. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Behrends, L.; Sikora, F.; Kelly, D.

1996-01-01

To demonstrate at Milan AAP in April 1996 through July 1997, the technical and economic feasibility of using phytoremediation in an artificial constructed wetlands for treatment of explosives-contaminated groundwater. Validated data on cost and effectiveness of this demonstration will be used to transfer this technology to the user community.

Demonstration plan for phytoremediation of explosive-contaminated groundwater in constructed wetlands at Milan Army Ammunition Plant Milan Tennessee. Volume 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Behrends, L.; Sikora, F.; Kelly, D.

1996-01-01

To demonstrate at Milan AAP in April 1996 through July 1997, the technical and economic feasibility of using phytoremediation in an artificial, constructed wetlands for treatment of explosives-contaminated groundwater. Validated data on cost and effectiveness of this demonstration will be used to transfer this technology to the user community.

Construction of New Energetics Buildings at the High Explosive Research and Development Facility (HERD) Final Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-01

fox and bobcat. On occasion the Florida black bear is found in the Sandhills ecological association (U.S. Air Force, 1995). 06/23/03 Construction...tropical air during the summer and continental polar air during the winter. There are two major seasons, summer and winter. Summer occurs from April...Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science and Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. 30 August

Novel high-fidelity realistic explosion damage simulation for urban environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaoqing; Yadegar, Jacob; Zhu, Youding; Raju, Chaitanya; Bhagavathula, Jaya

2010-04-01

Realistic building damage simulation has a significant impact in modern modeling and simulation systems especially in diverse panoply of military and civil applications where these simulation systems are widely used for personnel training, critical mission planning, disaster management, etc. Realistic building damage simulation should incorporate accurate physics-based explosion models, rubble generation, rubble flyout, and interactions between flying rubble and their surrounding entities. However, none of the existing building damage simulation systems sufficiently faithfully realize the criteria of realism required for effective military applications. In this paper, we present a novel physics-based high-fidelity and runtime efficient explosion simulation system to realistically simulate destruction to buildings. In the proposed system, a family of novel blast models is applied to accurately and realistically simulate explosions based on static and/or dynamic detonation conditions. The system also takes account of rubble pile formation and applies a generic and scalable multi-component based object representation to describe scene entities and highly scalable agent-subsumption architecture and scheduler to schedule clusters of sequential and parallel events. The proposed system utilizes a highly efficient and scalable tetrahedral decomposition approach to realistically simulate rubble formation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system has the capability to realistically simulate rubble generation, rubble flyout and their primary and secondary impacts on surrounding objects including buildings, constructions, vehicles and pedestrians in clusters of sequential and parallel damage events.

The Inglorious Death of Jumbo

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meade, Roger Allen

In the summer of 1944, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Los Alamos faced a crisis. An isotopic impurity in Plutonium rendered the metal unusable in a gun-assembled atomic bomb (i.e., Little Boy). Making this situation worse was a shortage of Uranium. The combination of these two problems threatened the entire wartime project. The answer to this dilemma, in part, was to develop a novel assembly method for Plutonium using the supersonic shock waves created by several tons of high explosives to compress a ball of Plutonium into a supercritical state. Since this method, implosion, was not much more than a theoreticalmore » construct, the Trinity test was devised to proof test the process. Given the speculative nature of implosion, Trinity was a gamble of sorts. If the test failed (i.e., little or no nuclear yield), the blast of the high explosives would scatter the scarce and expensive Plutonium over the surrounding desert. Since the probability of failure remained high into the early summer of 1945, some method of containing a failed nuclear explosion was needed. Jumbo was the answer.« less

Dye@bio-MOF-1 Composite as a Dual-Emitting Platform for Enhanced Detection of a Wide Range of Explosive Molecules.

PubMed

Wang, Chen; Tian, Li; Zhu, Wei; Wang, Shiqiang; Wang, Peng; Liang, Yun; Zhang, Wanlin; Zhao, Hongwei; Li, Guangtao

2017-06-14

By incorporating a cationic dye within a metal-organic framework (MOF) through an ion-exchange process, a responsive dye@bio-MOF-1 composite has been synthesized, serving as a dual-emitting platform for enhanced detection of different kinds of nitro-explosives, especially nitroalkanes, nitramines, and nitrate esters. The dye@bio-MOF-1 composite was constructed with free amines on their well-defined cavities, which is essential for the capture of explosives into their confined nanospace. It was observed that the encapsulation of explosives into the constructed dye@bio-MOF-1 composite could dramatically alter the luminescent properties of the dyes as well as the MOF skeletons owing to the size exclusivity and confinement-induced effect. For nitroaromatics, the dye@bio-MOF-1 composite exhibits turn-off responses via fluorescence quenching. Unexpectedly, the composite shows unique turn-on responses for aliphatic nitro-organics via confinement-induced enhancement, demonstrating enhanced ability to detecting different kinds of explosives selectively in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the dye@bio-MOF-1 film was facilely fabricated, making the chemical sensing more convenient and easier to realize the discrimination of the targeted explosives. The dual tunable responses indicate that dye@bio-MOF-1 composites are favorable materials for molecular sensing. On the basis of the host-guest properties of the constructed dye@bio-MOF-1 composite, our work can be further extended to sensing specific analytes with remarkable turn-on sensing properties, in particular those difficult to recognize with conventional methods.

Modeling a High Explosive Cylinder Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zocher, Marvin A.

2017-06-01

Cylindrical assemblies constructed from high explosives encased in an inert confining material are often used in experiments aimed at calibrating and validating continuum level models for the so-called equation of state (constitutive model for the spherical part of the Cauchy tensor). Such is the case in the work to be discussed here. In particular, work will be described involving the modeling of a series of experiments involving PBX-9501 encased in a copper cylinder. The objective of the work is to test and perhaps refine a set of phenomenological parameters for the Wescott-Stewart-Davis reactive burn model. The focus of this talk will be on modeling the experiments, which turned out to be non-trivial. The modeling is conducted using ALE methodology.

Plowshare Program - American Atomic Bomb Tests For Industrial Applications

ScienceCinema

None

2018-01-16

The United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) established the Plowshare Program as a research and development activity to explore the technical and economic feasibility of using nuclear explosives for industrial applications. The reasoning was that the relatively inexpensive energy available from nuclear explosions could prove useful for a wide variety of peaceful purposes. The Plowshare Program began in 1958 and continued through 1975. Between December 1961 and May 1973, the United States conducted 27 Plowshare nuclear explosive tests comprising 35 individual detonations. Conceptually, industrial applications resulting from the use of nuclear explosives could be divided into two broad categories: 1) large-scale excavation and quarrying, where the energy from the explosion was used to break up and/or move rock; and 2) underground engineering, where the energy released from deeply buried nuclear explosives increased the permeability and porosity of the rock by massive breaking and fracturing. Possible excavation applications included: canals, harbors, highway and railroad cuts through mountains, open pit mining, construction of dams, and other quarry and construction-related projects. Underground nuclear explosion applications included: stimulation of natural gas production, preparation of leachable ore bodies for in situ leaching, creation of underground zones of fractured oil shale for in situ retorting, and formation of underground natural gas and petroleum storage reservoirs.

Plowshare Program - American Atomic Bomb Tests For Industrial Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2012-04-22

The United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) established the Plowshare Program as a research and development activity to explore the technical and economic feasibility of using nuclear explosives for industrial applications. The reasoning was that the relatively inexpensive energy available from nuclear explosions could prove useful for a wide variety of peaceful purposes. The Plowshare Program began in 1958 and continued through 1975. Between December 1961 and May 1973, the United States conducted 27 Plowshare nuclear explosive tests comprising 35 individual detonations. Conceptually, industrial applications resulting from the use of nuclear explosives could be divided into two broad categories: 1)more » large-scale excavation and quarrying, where the energy from the explosion was used to break up and/or move rock; and 2) underground engineering, where the energy released from deeply buried nuclear explosives increased the permeability and porosity of the rock by massive breaking and fracturing. Possible excavation applications included: canals, harbors, highway and railroad cuts through mountains, open pit mining, construction of dams, and other quarry and construction-related projects. Underground nuclear explosion applications included: stimulation of natural gas production, preparation of leachable ore bodies for in situ leaching, creation of underground zones of fractured oil shale for in situ retorting, and formation of underground natural gas and petroleum storage reservoirs.« less

An Advanced ESTCP PELAN System for Surface and Near-surface UXO Discrimination

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

system was designed and assembled at SAIC. Test slugs representing 30mm to 105mm shells were constructed and filled with inert materials and explosives...results and system design, ESTCP decided to discontinue the effort before the prototype was constructed and demonstrated. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS...RDX and non-explosive plasticizers ) cps counts per second CW Chemical Warfare agent d-T deuterium-tritium DoD Department of Defense DOE

Sensitivity to friction for primary explosives.

PubMed

Matyáš, Robert; Šelešovský, Jakub; Musil, Tomáš

2012-04-30

The sensitivity to friction for a selection of primary explosives has been studied using a small BAM friction apparatus. The probit analysis was used for the construction of a sensitivity curve for each primary explosive tested. Two groups of primary explosives were chosen for measurement (a) the most commonly used industrially produced primary explosives (e.g. lead azide, tetrazene, dinol, lead styphnate) and (b) the most produced improvised primary explosives (e.g. triacetone triperoxide, hexamethylenetriperoxide diamine, mercury fulminate, acetylides of heavy metals). A knowledge of friction sensitivity is very important for determining manipulation safety for primary explosives. All the primary explosives tested were carefully characterised (synthesis procedure, shape and size of crystals). The sensitivity curves obtained represent a unique set of data, which cannot be found anywhere else in the available literature. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Graphene oxide-based optical biosensor functionalized with peptides for explosive detection.

PubMed

Zhang, Qian; Zhang, Diming; Lu, Yanli; Yao, Yao; Li, Shuang; Liu, Qingjun

2015-06-15

A label-free optical biosensor was constructed with biofunctionalized graphene oxide (GO) for specific detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). By chemically binding TNT-specific peptides with GO, the biosensor gained unique optoelectronic properties and high biological sensitivity, with transducing bimolecular bonding into optical signals. Through UV absorption detection, increasing absorbance responses could be observed in presence of TNT at different concentrations, as low as 4.40×10(-9) mM, and showed dose-dependence and stable behavior. Specific responses of the biosensor were verified with the corporation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNT), which had similar molecular structure to TNT. Thus, with high sensitivity and selectivity, the biosensor provided a convenient approach for detection of explosives as miniaturizing and integrating devices. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A deep towed explosive source for seismic experiments on the ocean floor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koelsch, Donald E.; Witzell, Warren E.; Broda, James E.; Wooding, Frank B.; Purdy, G. M.

1986-12-01

A new seismic source for carrying out high resolution measurements of deep ocean crustal structure has been constructed and successfully used in a number of ocean bottom refraction experiments on the Mid Atlantic Ridge near 23° N. The source is towed within 100 m of the ocean floor on a conventional 0.68″ coaxial cable and is capable of firing, upon command from the research vessel, up to 48 individual 2.3 kg explosive charges. The explosive used was commercially available Penta-Erythritol-Tetra Nitrate (PETN) that was activated by 14.9 gm m-1 Primacord and DuPont E-97 electrical detonators. For safety reasons each detonator was fitted with a pressure switch that maintained a short until the source was at depth in excess of approximately 300 m. In addition, a mechanical protector isolated the detonator from the main charge and was only removed by the physical release of the explosive from the source package. These and other safety precautions resulted in several misfires but three experiments were successfully completed during the summer of 1985 at source depths of 3000 4000 m.

Formation of Load Parameters of Destroyed Massife in Explosion of Multicharge Composition with Separation of its Parts by Profile Inert Interval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramonov, G. P.; Mysin, A. V.; Babkin, R. S.

2017-10-01

The paper introduces construction of multicharge composition with separation of parts by the profile inert interval. On the basis of the previous researches, the pulse-forming process at explosion of the borehole multicharge taking into account the offered design is considered. The physical model for definition of reflected wavelet taking into account an increment of radius of cross section of a charging cavity and the expiration of detonation products is offered. A technique is developed for numerical modeling of gas-dynamic processes in a borehole with a change in the axial channel of a profile inert interval caused by a high-temperature flow of gaseous products of an explosion. The authors obtained the dependence of the change in mean pressure on the borehole wall on time for each of the parts of the multicharge. To blast a series of charges of the proposed design, taking into account optimization of the stress fields of neighboring charges, the delay interval is determined for a short-delayed explosion.

An investigation of the cratering-induced motions occurring during the formation of bowl-shaped craters. [using high explosive charges as the cratering source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Piekutowski, A. J.

1980-01-01

The effects of the dynamic processes which occur during crater formation were examined using small hemispherical high-explosive charges detonated in a tank which had one wall constructed of a thick piece of clear plexiglas. Crater formation and the motions of numerous tracer particles installed in the cratering medium at the medium-wall interface were viewed through the wall of this quarter-space tank and recorded with high-speed cameras. Subsequent study and analysis of particle motions and events recorded on the film provide data needed to develop a time-sequence description of the formation of a bowl-shaped crater. Tables show the dimensions of craters produced in a quarter-space tank compared with dimensions of craters produced in normal half-space tanks. Crater growth rate summaries are also tabulated.

30 CFR 18.42 - Explosion-proof distribution boxes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Explosion-proof distribution boxes. 18.42 Section 18.42 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TESTING, EVALUATION, AND APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction...

Acoustic and tephra records of explosive eruptions at West Mata submarine volcano, NE Lau Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dziak, R. P.; Bohnenstiehl, D. R.; Baker, E. T.; Matsumoto, H.; Caplan-Auerbach, J.; Mack, C. J.; Embley, R. W.; Merle, S. G.; Walker, S. L.; Lau, T. A.

2013-12-01

West Mata is a 1200 m deep submarine volcano where explosive boninite eruptions were directly observed in May 2009. Here we present long-term acoustic and tephra records of West Mata explosion activity from three deployments of hydrophone and particle sensor moorings beginning on 8 January 2009. These records provide insights into the character of explosive magma degassing occurring at the volcano's summit vent until the decline and eventual cessation of the eruption during late 2010 and early 2011. The detailed acoustic records show three types of volcanic signals, 1) discrete explosions, 2) diffuse explosions, and 3) volcanic tremor. Discrete explosions are short duration, high amplitude broad-band signals caused by rapid gas bubble release. Diffuse signals are likely a result of 'trap-door' explosions where a quench cap of cooled lava forms over the magmatic vent but gas pressure builds underneath the cap. This pressure eventually causes the cap to breach and gas is explosively released until pressure reduces and the cap once again forms. Volcanic tremor is typified by narrow-band, long-duration signals with overtones, as well as narrow-band tones that vary frequency over time between 60-100 Hz. The harmonic tremor is thought to be caused by modulation of rapid, short duration gas explosion pulses and not a magma resonance phenomenon. The variable frequency tones may be caused by focused degassing or hydrothermal fluid flow from a narrow volcanic vent or conduit. High frequency (>30 Hz) tremor-like bands of energy are a result of interference caused by multipath wide-band signals, including sea-surface reflected acoustic phases, that arrive at the hydrophone with small time delays. Acoustic data suggest that eruption velocities for a single explosion range from 4-50 m s-1, although synchronous arrival of explosion signals has complicated our efforts to estimate long-term gas flux. Single explosions exhibit ~4-40 m3 s-1 of total volume flux (gas and rock) but with durations of only 20-30 ms. Interestingly, explosion activity increased at West Mata for several months, observed at more distant hydrophone stations, following the September 2009 8.1 Mw Samoan earthquake. The tephra and hydrophone data were only synchronously recorded from January to May 2010, but these data indicate a repeated record of summit explosions followed by down flank debris flows, an important process in the construction of the volcanic edifice. Bathymetric differencing between 2010 and 2011 shows two large negative anomalies at the summit and a broad positive anomaly on the east flank, interpreted as a major slump that removed part of the summit during the final magma withdrawal related to formation of the summit pit crater.

Evaluation of Various Organic Fertilizer Substrates and Hydraulic Retention Times for Enhancing Anaerobic Degradation of Explosives-Contaminated Groundwater While Using Constructed Wetlands at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Milan, Tennessee.

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-01

CODES FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP 18. SUBJECT TERMS (Continue on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) Phytoremediation of Explosives... phytoremediating explosives-contaminated groundwater. A typical gravel-based wetland consists of an anaerobic cell for removing the bulk of the explosive...11 4-1 4-1 4-3 Phytoremediation Study Milan AAP SECTION TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) TITLE PAGE 4.0 4.3 4.4 4.5 5.0 6.0 RESULTS AND

Research on the analytical method about influence of gas leakage and explosion on subway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Wendong; Yang, Ligong; Chen, Lin

2018-05-01

With the construction and development of city subway, the cross impact of underground rail transit and gas pipe network is becoming more and more serious, but there is no analytical method for the impact of gas explosions on the subway. According to this paper, the gas leakage is equivalent to the TNT explosion equivalent, based on which, the calculation of the explosive impact load is carried out. On the basis of the concrete manifestation of gas explosion, it is more convenient to carry out the subsequent calculation by equivalently treating the explosive impact load as a uniform load within a certain range. The overlying soil of the subway station has played a protective role for the subway, making the displacement of the subway structure in the explosion process significantly reduced. The analysis on the actual case shows that this method can be successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of such accidents.

30 CFR 18.43 - Explosion-proof splice boxes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Explosion-proof splice boxes. 18.43 Section 18.43 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TESTING, EVALUATION, AND APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and...

Refinement of parameters of weak nuclear explosions conducted at the Semipalatinsk test site on the basis of historical seismograms study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolova, Inna

2014-05-01

Many researchers working in the field of monitoring and discriminating of nuclear tests encounter the problem of lacking in seismic catalogues the information about source parameters for weak nuclear explosions. As usual, the information about origin time, coordinates and magnitude is absent, there is information about date, approximate coordinates and information about explosion yield. Huge work conducted on recovery of parameters of small underground nuclear explosions conducted at the Semipalatinsk Test Site using records of analogue seismic stations of the USSR located at regional distances was conducted by V. Khalturin, T. Rayutian, P. Richards (Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2001). However, if underground nuclear explosions are studied and described in literature quite well, then air and contact explosions were small and were not recorded by standard permanent seismic stations. In 1961-1962 maximum number of air and contact explosions was conducted at Opytnoye polye site of the STS. We managed to find and analyze additional seismic data from some temporary and permanent stations. That time IPE AS USSR installed a network of high-sensitive stations along Pamir-Baykal profile to study earth crust structure and upper mantle, the profile length was 3500 km. Epicentral distance from some stations of the profile to Opytnoye polye was 300-400 km. In addition, a permanent seismic station Semipalatinsk (SEM) located 175 km away from the site started its operation. The seismograms from this station became available recently. The digitized historical seismograms allowed to recover and add parameters for more than 36 air and surface explosions. Origin time, coordinates, magnitudes mpv, MLV and energy class K were determined for explosions. A regional travel-time curve for Central Kazakhstan constructed using records of calibration chemical explosions conducted at the STS in 1997-2000 and ground-truth underground nuclear explosions was used to determine kinematic parameters of explosions. MLV, mpv, and energy class K were determined for all underground nuclear explosions conducted at the STS using historical seismograms from Central Asia stations. Dependencies of regional magnitudes on yield were received for air and underground nuclear explosions. Thus, application of historical seismograms at regional distances allows to recover and replenish the seismic catalogues of past nuclear explosions for further use in scientific investigations and monitoring tasks.

Seismic and source characteristics of large chemical explosions. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adushkin, V.V.; Kostuchenko, V.N.; Pernik, L.M.

From the very beginning of its arrangement in 1947, the Institute for Dynamics of the Geospheres RAS (former Special Sector of the Institute for physics of the Earth, RAS) was providing scientific observations of effects of nuclear explosions, as well as large-scale detonations of HE, on environment. This report presents principal results of instrumental observations obtained from various large-scale chemical explosions conducted in the Former-Soviet Union in the period of time from 1957 to 1989. Considering principal aim of the work, tamped and equivalent chemical explosions have been selected with total weights from several hundreds to several thousands ton. Inmore » particular, the selected explosions were aimed to study scaling law from excavation explosions, seismic effect of tamped explosions, and for dam construction for hydropower stations and soil melioration. Instrumental data on surface explosions of total weight in the same range aimed to test military technics and special objects are not included.« less

76 FR 32867 - Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Storage of Explosives During Transportation

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-07

... from release into the environment. This final rule does not prohibit or promote the development of safe... Association Standard (NFPA) 498--Standard for Safe Havens and Interchange Lots for Vehicles Transporting Explosives (2010 Edition) for the construction and maintenance of safe havens used for unattended storage of...

Full-Scale Incineration System Demonstration Verification Test Burns at the Naval Battalion Construction Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. Volume 3. Treatability Tests. Part 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

1525 C1:y: daho Falls State: r Zip: 83413 Telephoue Hunber: (2 16) 65-1763 4. Facilities Location: Number & Steet: Naval Construction Bat.tallcn...ed into the POTW: (a) Pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the POTW; (b) Pollutants which will cause corrosive structural damage to...Haylon Located in the laboratory (1) 15-1b C02 Located in the trailer 482 / 4.3.8 Maximum Hypothetical Accident ( Explosion ) The maximum hypothetical

A systematic study of the explosion energy issue in core collapse supernova theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Yu

2016-06-01

Massive stars with main sequence masses greater than 8 solar mass (Msun) the main target of CCSNe researches. According to initial mass function (IMF) they occupy about 15As a matter of fact, supernova theorists have failed to reproduce this energetic stellar explosion for about a half century because micro and macro physics are highly complex and are mutual influenced. The theoretical investigation of the explosion mechanism is based on numerical simulations, which will ultimately require computational sources of exsa scales. With recent remarkable developments both in hardware and software, however, more realistic physics are incorporated and research group are beginning to overcome the difficulties, reporting successful explosions in their numerical models. The successful is still partial, unfortunately, since in the most of the cases the explosion energy hardly reaches the typical value (10^51erg). What is worse other groups found no explosion for almost same setups. The robust explosion mechanism has not yet been ascertained and is still a remaining issue. The purpose of this paper is to study how far our understanding of "neutrino heating mechanism", the current paradigm, has reached, or put another way, to expose what kind of physics are still missing to explain observations , such as explosion energy and nickel mass. As already remarked the physics in CCSNe are quite complicated with extremely high Reynolds number, highly uncertain equation of state (EOS) at supra-nuclear densities, copious neutrinos not in thermal nor chemical equilibrium with matter normally. I believe that it is justified to devote a somewhat large number of pages to the introduction. It will be also helpful for understanding the motivation of this paper. Starting with evidence from supernova light curves I will then move to the basics idea of neutrino heating mechanism and summarize some recent developments in various micro and macro physics. Key factors in the theory of massive-star evolutions are also illuminated in the introduction. Other important ingredients that are not directly related with the thesis, such as numerical treatments of neutrino transport, are given in appendices. To find the missing pieces of the current CCSNe theory, I employed an experimental way instead of running "realistic" simulations. In fact, I conducted experimental computations systematically so as to reveal (1) what is the necessary condition of the canonical explosion energy (2) what is the dominant contribution to the explosion energy (3) when the explosion energy is settled to the final value, and, finally, (4) features in pre-explosion structure of the progenitor are critical for the explosion energy. In this paper I paid particular attention to nuclear energies released in association with the production of various elements up to A 56, which are likely to contribute to the energetics of CCSNe. I performed multi-dimension hydrodynamic simulations that can also handle the evolution of elements in both nuclear statistical equilibrium (NSE) and non-equilibrium, taking particular care of transition from one to the other. We take a multi-step strategy: collapse, shock revival and the subsequent evolution until the settlement of explosion energy are treated separately and consecutively; the collapse phase is calculated under spherical symmetry to obtain mass accretion histories for different progenitors; in so doing, the inner part of the core is removed and replaced with the artificial inner boundary; the second phase treats shock revival; we construct steady accretion flows through the stalled shock wave on to the proto neutron star; using these configurations as initial conditions for 1D and 2D simulations, we determine the critical neutrino luminosities for shock revival; the evolutions that follow the shock revival are computed in the last phase, with the mass accretion histories obtained in the first phase being taken into account. In the first of two studies done for the thesis we used a single progenitor of 15Msun provided by a realistic stellar evolution calculation and studied the post-shock revival evolutions, changing the time of shock revival. We run seven 1D and five 2D models. In the second exploration, on the other hand, we pay attention to the progenitor dependence of the dynamics. Instead of using progenitor models from realistic stellar evolution calculations, I construct six pre-collapse models with different masses of Fe core and Si+S layer assuming entropy and electron fraction distributions and varying rather arbitrarily the parameters included. Unlike in the first study, we did not specify the shock revival time explicitly but gave the neutrino luminosity in this study. The explosion energy and nickel mass are calculated for eighteen 1D and eight 2D models, respectively. The two studies demonstrate that early explosions are necessary for strong explosions. It is also found that nuclear recombination energy is a major contributor to the explosion energy which is settled to the final value in 500ms whereas the nickel mass needs much longer times to reach the final value, particularly in 2D. Since the nickel tends to be overproduced in early explosions, enhanced fallbacks in multi-dimensional hydrodynamics seem to be crucial to reproduce the observed values of nickel mass and explosion energy simultaneously. As for the progenitor dependence, we found that light cores with relatively high entropies seem to be favorable for reproducing the canonical explosion by the neutrino heating mechanism. It is interesting that the explosion energy is strongly correlated with the mass accretion rate at shock revival regardless of the spatial dimensions.

Microbial bioreporters of trace explosives.

PubMed

Shemer, Benjamin; Koshet, Ori; Yagur-Kroll, Sharon; Belkin, Shimshon

2017-06-01

Since its introduction as an explosive in the late 19th century, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), along with other explosive compounds, has left numerous environmental marks. One of these is widespread soil and water pollution by trace explosives in military proving grounds, manufacturing facilities, or actual battlefields. Another dramatic impact is that exerted by the millions of landmines and other explosive devices buried in large parts of the world, causing extensive loss of life, injuries, and economical damage. In this review we highlight recent advances in the design and construction of microbial bioreporters, molecularly engineered to generate a quantifiable dose-dependent signal in the presence of trace amounts of explosives. Such sensor strains may be employed for monitoring environmental pollution as well as for the remote detection of buried landmines. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Velocity Model Using the Large-N Seismic Array from the Source Physics Experiment (SPE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, T.; Snelson, C. M.

2016-12-01

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is a multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary project that consists of a series of chemical explosions conducted at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The goal of SPE is to understand the complicated effect of geological structures on seismic wave propagation and source energy partitioning, develop and validate physics-based modeling, and ultimately better monitor low-yield nuclear explosions. A Large-N seismic array was deployed at the SPE site to image the full 3D wavefield from the most recent SPE-5 explosion on April 26, 2016. The Large-N seismic array consists of 996 geophones (half three-component and half vertical-component sensors), and operated for one month, recording the SPE-5 shot, ambient noise, and additional controlled-sources (a large hammer). This study uses Large-N array recordings of the SPE-5 chemical explosion to develop high resolution images of local geologic structures. We analyze different phases of recorded seismic data and construct a velocity model based on arrival times. The results of this study will be incorporated into the large modeling and simulation efforts as ground-truth further validating the models.

The aftermath of an industrial disaster.

PubMed

Elklit, A

1997-01-01

An explosion in a Danish supertanker under construction in 1994 caused the death of six workers and injured 15. Six months later 270 workers took part in this study, which analyses the relationships between objective stressors, the workers' own feelings and the reactions of their families after the explosion together with training, attitude to the workplace, general out-look, and received crisis help. Traumatisation, coping style and crisis support was assessed via the Impact of Event Scale (IES), the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ) and the Crisis Support Scale (CSS). Emotionally, workers and their families were strongly affected by the explosion. The IES-score was 17.6 and the invasion score 9.1. The degree of traumatisation was higher in the group who had an 'audience position' than in the group who was directly hit by the explosion. Training in rescue work did not protect against adverse effects. Rescue work had a strong impact on the involved. Social support was a significant factor, that seems to buffer negative effects. High level of social integration, effective leadership in the situation, and professional crisis intervention characterised the disaster situation. All the same, 41 per cent of the workers reached the caseness criteria by Horowitz (IES > or = 19).

A New Multiphase Equation of State for Composition B

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coe, Joshua Damon; Margevicius, Madeline Alma

2016-07-25

We describe the construction of a complete equation of state for the high explosive Composition B in its unreacted (inert) form, as well as chemical equilibrium calculations of its detonation products. The multiphase reactant EOS is of SESAME type, and was calibrated to ambient thermal and mechanical data, the shock initiation experiments of Dattelbaum, et al., and the melt line of trinitrotoluene (TNT).

A Luminescent Zinc(II) Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) with Conjugated π-Electron Ligand for High Iodine Capture and Nitro-Explosive Detection.

PubMed

Yao, Ru-Xin; Cui, Xin; Jia, Xiao-Xia; Zhang, Fu-Qiang; Zhang, Xian-Ming

2016-09-19

A porous luminescent zinc(II) metal-organic framework (MOF) with a NbO net [Zn2(tptc)(apy)2-x(H2O)x]·H2O (1) (where x ≈ 1, apy = aminopyridine, H4tptc = terphenyl-3,3″,5,5″-tetracarboxylic acid), constructed using paddlewheel [Zn2(COO)4] clusters and π-electron-rich terphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid, has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, the material displays efficient, reversible adsorption of radioactive I2 in vapor and in solution (up to 216 wt %). The strong affinity for I2 is mainly due to it having large porosity, a conjugated π-electron aromatic system, halogen bonds, and electron-donating aminos. Furthermore, luminescent study indicated that 1 exhibits high sensitivity to electron-deficient nitrobenzene explosives via fluorescence quenching.

Developing Large Scale Explosively Driven Flyer Experiments on Sand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rehagen, Thomas; Kraus, Richard

2017-06-01

Measurements of the dynamic behavior of granular materials are of great importance to a variety of scientific and engineering applications, including planetary science, seismology, and construction and destruction. In addition, high quality data are needed to enhance our understanding of granular physics and improve the computational models used to simulate related physical processes. However, since there is a non-negligible grain size associated with these materials, experiments must be of a relatively large scale in order to capture the continuum response of the material and reduce errors associated with the finite grain size. We will present designs for explosively driven flyer experiments to make high accuracy measurements of the Hugoniot of sand (with a grain size of hundreds of microns). To achieve an accuracy of better than a few percent in density, we are developing a platform to measure the Hugoniot of samples several centimeters in thickness. We will present the target designs as well as coupled designs for the explosively launched flyer system. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Numerical Modeling of Mixing and Venting from Explosions in Bunkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Benjamin

2005-07-01

2D and 3D numerical simulations were performed to study the dynamic interaction of explosion products in a concrete bunker with ambient air, stored chemical or biological warfare (CBW) agent simulant, and the surrounding walls and structure. The simulations were carried out with GEODYN, a multi-material, Godunov-based Eulerian code, that employs adaptive mesh refinement and runs efficiently on massively parallel computer platforms. Tabular equations of state were used for all materials with the exception of any high explosives employed, which were characterized with conventional JWL models. An appropriate constitutive model was used to describe the concrete. Interfaces between materials were either tracked with a volume-of-fluid method that used high-order reconstruction to specify the interface location and orientation, or a capturing approach was employed with the assumption of local thermal and mechanical equilibrium. A major focus of the study was to estimate the extent of agent heating that could be obtained prior to venting of the bunker and resultant agent dispersal. Parameters investigated included the bunker construction, agent layout, energy density in the bunker and the yield-to-agent mass ratio. Turbulent mixing was found to be the dominant heat transfer mechanism for heating the agent.

Genetically engineered microorganisms for the detection of explosives’ residues

PubMed Central

Shemer, Benjamin; Palevsky, Noa; Yagur-Kroll, Sharon; Belkin, Shimshon

2015-01-01

The manufacture and use of explosives throughout the past century has resulted in the extensive pollution of soils and groundwater, and the widespread interment of landmines imposes a major humanitarian risk and prevents civil development of large areas. As most current landmine detection technologies require actual presence at the surveyed areas, thus posing a significant risk to personnel, diverse research efforts are aimed at the development of remote detection solutions. One possible means proposed to fulfill this objective is the use of microbial bioreporters: genetically engineered microorganisms “tailored” to generate an optical signal in the presence of explosives’ vapors. The use of such sensor bacteria will allow to pinpoint the locations of explosive devices in a minefield. While no study has yet resulted in a commercially operational system, significant progress has been made in the design and construction of explosives-sensing bacterial strains. In this article we review the attempts to construct microbial bioreporters for the detection of explosives, and analyze the steps that need to be undertaken for this strategy to be applicable for landmine detection. PMID:26579085

Terminal velocity of liquids and granular materials dispersed by a high explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loiseau, J.; Pontalier, Q.; Milne, A. M.; Goroshin, S.; Frost, D. L.

2018-05-01

The explosive dispersal of a layer of solid particles or a layer of liquid surrounding a spherical high-explosive charge generates a turbulent, multiphase flow. Shock compression of the material layer during the initial acceleration may partially consolidate the material, leading to the formation of jet-like structures when the layer fragments and sheds particles upon release. Similarly, release of a shock-compressed liquid shell causes the nucleation of cavitation sites, leading to the radial breakup of the shell and the formation of jets upon expansion. In the current study, a wide variety of granular materials and liquids were explosively dispersed. The maximum terminal jet tip or shell velocity was measured using high-speed videography. Charges were constructed using thin-walled glass bulbs of various diameters and contained a central C-4 charge surrounded by the material to be dispersed. This permitted variation of the ratio of material mass to charge mass ( M/ C) from 4 to 300. Results indicated that material velocity broadly correlates with predictions of the Gurney model. For liquids, the terminal velocity was accurately predicted by the Gurney model. For granular materials, Gurney over-predicted the terminal velocity by 25-60%, depending on the M/ C ratio, with larger M/ C values exhibiting larger deficits. These deficits are explained by energy dissipation during the collapse of voids in the granular material bed. Velocity deficits were insensitive to the degree of jetting and granular material properties. Empirical corrections to the Gurney model are presented with improved agreement with the dry powder experimental velocities.

Terminal velocity of liquids and granular materials dispersed by a high explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loiseau, J.; Pontalier, Q.; Milne, A. M.; Goroshin, S.; Frost, D. L.

2018-04-01

The explosive dispersal of a layer of solid particles or a layer of liquid surrounding a spherical high-explosive charge generates a turbulent, multiphase flow. Shock compression of the material layer during the initial acceleration may partially consolidate the material, leading to the formation of jet-like structures when the layer fragments and sheds particles upon release. Similarly, release of a shock-compressed liquid shell causes the nucleation of cavitation sites, leading to the radial breakup of the shell and the formation of jets upon expansion. In the current study, a wide variety of granular materials and liquids were explosively dispersed. The maximum terminal jet tip or shell velocity was measured using high-speed videography. Charges were constructed using thin-walled glass bulbs of various diameters and contained a central C-4 charge surrounded by the material to be dispersed. This permitted variation of the ratio of material mass to charge mass (M/C) from 4 to 300. Results indicated that material velocity broadly correlates with predictions of the Gurney model. For liquids, the terminal velocity was accurately predicted by the Gurney model. For granular materials, Gurney over-predicted the terminal velocity by 25-60%, depending on the M/C ratio, with larger M/C values exhibiting larger deficits. These deficits are explained by energy dissipation during the collapse of voids in the granular material bed. Velocity deficits were insensitive to the degree of jetting and granular material properties. Empirical corrections to the Gurney model are presented with improved agreement with the dry powder experimental velocities.

Optically detonated explosive device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, L. C.; Menichelli, V. J. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A technique and apparatus for optically detonating insensitive high explosives, is disclosed. An explosive device is formed by containing high explosive material in a house having a transparent window. A thin metallic film is provided on the interior surface of the window and maintained in contact with the high explosive. A laser pulse provided by a Q-switched laser is focussed on the window to vaporize the metallic film and thereby create a shock wave which detonates the high explosive. Explosive devices may be concurrently or sequentially detonated by employing a fiber optic bundle to transmit the laser pulse to each of the several individual explosive devices.

Building firelines with liquid explosive ... some preliminary results

Treesearch

John D. Dell; Franklin R. Ward

1970-01-01

Building firelines in logging slash or dense brush can be costly and hazardous. A new liquid explosive was tested in these and other forest fuel types, It proved effective in brush, understory vegetation, and light-medium slash, but was not effective in deep, heavy slash. Fireline construction by this technique shows promise, but will require more testing and...

Petrologic constraints on the decompression history of magma prior to Vulcanian explosions at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, A. B.; Stephens, S.; Teasdale, R.; Sparks, R. S. J.; Diller, K.

2007-04-01

A series of 88 Vulcanian explosions occurred at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, between August and October, 1997. Conduit conditions conducive to creating these and other Vulcanian explosions were explored via analysis of eruptive products and one-dimensional numerical modeling of magma ascent through a cylindrical conduit. The number densities and textures of plagioclase microlites were documented for twenty-three samples from the events. The natural samples all show very high number densities of microlites, and > 50% by number of microlites have areas < 20 μm 2. Pre-explosion conduit conditions and decompression history have been inferred from these data by comparison with experimental decompressions of similar groundmass compositions. Our comparisons suggest quench pressures < 30 MPa (origin depths < 2 km) and multiple rapid decompressions of > 13.75 MPa each during ascent from chamber to surface. Values are consistent with field studies of the same events and statistical analysis of explosion time-series data. The microlite volume number density trend with depth reveals an apparent transition from growth-dominated crystallization to nucleation-dominated crystallization at pressures of ˜ 7 MPa and lower. A concurrent sharp increase in bulk density marks the onset of significant open-system degassing, apparently due to a large increase in system permeability above ˜ 70% vesicularity. This open-system degassing results in a dense plug which eventually seals the conduit and forms conditions favorable to Vulcanian explosions. The corresponding inferred depth of overpressure at 250-700 m, near the base of the dense plug, is consistent with depth to center of pressure estimated from deformation measurements. Here we also illustrate that one-dimensional models representing ascent of a degassing, crystal-rich magma are broadly consistent with conduit profiles constructed via our petrologic analysis. The comparison between models and petrologic data suggests that the dense conduit plug forms as a result of high overpressure and open-system degassing through conduit walls.

An integral condition for core-collapse supernova explosions

DOE PAGES

Murphy, Jeremiah W.; Dolence, Joshua C.

2017-01-10

Here, we derive an integral condition for core-collapse supernova (CCSN) explosions and use it to construct a new diagnostic of explodability. The fundamental challenge in CCSN theory is to explain how a stalled accretion shock revives to explode a star. In this manuscript, we assume that the shock revival is initiated by the delayed-neutrino mechanism and derive an integral condition for spherically symmetric shock expansion, v s > 0. One of the most useful one-dimensional explosion conditions is the neutrino luminosity and mass-accretion rate (more » $${L}_{\

A Risk Management Framework to Characterize Black Swan Risks: A Case Study of Lightning Effects on Insensitive High Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanders, Gary A.

Effective and efficient risk management processes include the use of high fidelity modeling and simulation during the concept exploration phase as part of the technology and risk assessment activities, with testing and evaluation tasks occurring in later design development phases. However, some safety requirements and design architectures may be dominated by the low probability/high consequence "Black Swan" vulnerabilities that require very early testing to characterize and efficiently mitigate. Failure to address these unique risks has led to catastrophic systems failures including the space shuttle Challenger, Deepwater Horizon, Fukushima nuclear reactor, and Katrina dike failures. Discovering and addressing these risks later in the design and development process can be very costly or even lead to project cancellation. This paper examines the need for risk management process adoption of early hazard phenomenology testing to inform the technical risk assessment, requirements definition and conceptual design. A case study of the lightning design vulnerability of the insensitive high explosives being used in construction, mining, demolition, and defense industries will be presented to examine the impact of this vulnerability testing during the concept exploration phase of the design effort. While these insensitive high explosives are far less sensitive to accidental initiation by fire, impact, friction or even electrical stimuli, their full range of sensitivities have not been characterized and ensuring safe engineering design and operations during events such as lightning storms requires vulnerability testing during the risk assessment phase.

Inductive Measurement of Plasma Jet Electrical Conductivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Matthew W.; Hawk, Clark W.; Litchford, Ron J.

2005-01-01

An inductive probing scheme, originally developed for shock tube studies, has been adapted to measure explosive plasma jet conductivities. In this method, the perturbation of an applied magnetic field by a plasma jet induces a voltage in a search coil, which, in turn, can be used to infer electrical conductivity through the inversion of a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind. A 1-inch diameter probe was designed and constructed, and calibration was accomplished by firing an aluminum slug through the probe using a light-gas gun. Exploratory laboratory experiments were carried out using plasma jets expelled from 15-gram high explosive shaped charges. Measured conductivities were in the range of 3 kS/m for unseeded octol charges and 20 kS/m for seeded octol charges containing 2% potassium carbonate by mass.

Insensitive fuze train for high explosives

DOEpatents

Cutting, Jack L.; Lee, Ronald S.; Von Holle, William G.

1994-01-01

A generic insensitive fuze train to initiate insensitive high explosives, such as PBXW-124. The insensitive fuze train uses a slapper foil to initiate sub-gram quantities of an explosive, such as HNS-IV or PETN. This small amount of explosive drives a larger metal slapper onto a booster charge of an insensitive explosive, such as UF-TATB. The booster charge initiates a larger charge of an explosive, such as LX-17, which in turn, initiates the insensitive high explosive, such as PBXW-124.

Insensitive fuze train for high explosives

DOEpatents

Cutting, J.L.; Lee, R.S.; Von Holle, W.G.

1994-01-04

A generic insensitive fuze train to initiate insensitive high explosives, such as PBXW-124 is described. The insensitive fuze train uses a slapper foil to initiate sub-gram quantities of an explosive, such as HNS-IV or PETN. This small amount of explosive drives a larger metal slapper onto a booster charge of an insensitive explosive, such as UF-TATB. The booster charge initiates a larger charge of an explosive, such as LX-17, which in turn, initiates the insensitive high explosive, such as PBXW-124. 3 figures.

Fluid blade disablement tool

DOEpatents

Jakaboski, Juan-Carlos [Albuquerque, NM; Hughs, Chance G [Albuquerque, NM; Todd, Steven N [Rio Rancho, NM

2012-01-10

A fluid blade disablement (FBD) tool that forms both a focused fluid projectile that resembles a blade, which can provide precision penetration of a barrier wall, and a broad fluid projectile that functions substantially like a hammer, which can produce general disruption of structures behind the barrier wall. Embodiments of the FBD tool comprise a container capable of holding fluid, an explosive assembly which is positioned within the container and which comprises an explosive holder and explosive, and a means for detonating. The container has a concavity on the side adjacent to the exposed surface of the explosive. The position of the concavity relative to the explosive and its construction of materials with thicknesses that facilitate inversion and/or rupture of the concavity wall enable the formation of a sharp and coherent blade of fluid advancing ahead of the detonation gases.

New possibilities to analyse non-standard explosives and post blast residues in forensic practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotrlý, Marek; Turková, Ivana

2005-05-01

Nonstandard and home-made explosives always pose a considerable threat for security forces in terms of their practically unlimited variability, both in composition and in construction of explosive devises. Electron microscopy - SEM with EDS/WDS is one of the key techniques for an analysis of non-standard explosives and post-blast residues. If the amount of materials allows it, a number of other analytical techniques are utilized, such as XRD that is capable of a direct phase identification of a crystalline substance, namely in mixtures. TLC has constantly proved itself useful for laboratory screening. Furthermore, combinations of FTIR, Raman spectrometry, LC MS, GC MS, XRF, micro XRF and other ones are applied. In the case of identification of post-blast residues, where an investigation is often conducted at the level of separate microscopic particles, the role of SEM is unsubstitutable, whereas the analysis of the organic phase from these often sporadic microparticles has been infeasible until recently. One of the very interesting options appears to be Raman spectrometry technique, which is nowadays obtainable as a supplement to SEM EDX. Newly available is the device that is fully confocal, SEM keeps full functionality and scan range, very high resolution (for green laser resolution 360nm FWHM; 430nm Rayleigh), it is fitted with high quality objective lens, enhances mapping through Raman spectrometry in a volume 250μm x 250μm x 250μm by piezo driven scanner (capacitive feedback linearized) and obtaining a high quality white light image (250μm x 250μm) immediately in the SEM chamber. This technique is currently undergoing intensive testing and it seems that the method could significantly help to address issues with the analysis of organic phases in electron microscopy not only in the case of post-blast residues and explosives.

Aspects of the Application of Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopy to Nitrogen Oxides Detection

PubMed Central

Wojtas, Jacek; Mikolajczyk, Janusz; Bielecki, Zbigniew

2013-01-01

This article presents design issues of high-sensitive laser absorption spectroscopy systems for nitrogen oxides (NOx) detection. Examples of our systems and their investigation results are also described. The constructed systems use one of the most sensitive methods, cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS). They operate at different wavelength ranges using a blue—violet laser diode (410 nm) as well as quantum cascade lasers (5.27 μm and 4.53 μm). Each of them is configured as a one or two channel measurement device using, e.g., time division multiplexing and averaging. During the testing procedure, the main performance features such as detection limits and measurements uncertainties have been determined. The obtained results are 1 ppb NO2, 75 ppb NO and 45 ppb N2O. For all systems, the uncertainty of concentration measurements does not exceed a value of 13%. Some experiments with explosives are also discussed. A setup equipped with a concentrator of explosives vapours was used. The detection method is based either on the reaction of the sensors to the nitrogen oxides directly emitted by the explosives or on the reaction to the nitrogen oxides produced during thermal decomposition of explosive vapours. For TNT, PETN, RDX and HMX a detection limit better than 1 ng has been achieved. PMID:23752566

FY 1999 Pollution Prevention and Environmental Technology Division

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

Volatilization Devices 38 Phytoremediation of Explosives in Groundwater Using Constructed Wetlands 39 Phytoremediation of Lead in Soil 42 Range Rule Risk...fees for green- waste disposal. Del Monte Fresh Produce, Inc. is conducting a field demonstration of phytoremediation to treat groundwater...soils • Phytoremediation of explosives-contaminated soils The University of Hawaii has added summaries of ABRP projects under its Bioremediation

Transient/structural analysis of a combustor under explosive loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, Peyton B.; Holland, Anne D.

1992-01-01

The 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel (HTT) at NASA Langley Research Center is a combustion-driven blow-down wind tunnel. A major potential failure mode that was considered during the combustor redesign was the possibility of a deflagration and/or detonation in the combustor. If a main burner flame-out were to occur, then unburned fuel gases could accumulate and, if reignited, an explosion could occur. An analysis has been performed to determine the safe operating limits of the combustor under transient explosive loads. The failure criteria was defined and the failure mechanisms were determined for both peak pressures and differential pressure loadings. An overview of the gas dynamics analysis was given. A finite element model was constructed to evaluate 13 transient load cases. The sensitivity of the structure to the frequency content of the transient loading was assessed. In addition, two closed form dynamic analyses were conducted to verify the finite element analysis. It was determined that the differential pressure load or thrust load was the critical load mechanism and that the nozzle is the weak link in the combustor system.

Device for Detection of Explosives, Nuclear and Other Hazardous Materials in Luggage and Cargo Containers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, Andrey; Evsenin, Alexey; Gorshkov, Igor; Osetrov, Oleg; Vakhtin, Dmitry

2009-12-01

Device for detection of explosives, radioactive and heavily shielded nuclear materials in luggage and cargo containers based on Nanosecond Neutron Analysis/Associated Particles Technique (NNA/APT) is under construction. Detection module consists of a small neutron generator with built-in position-sensitive detector of associated alpha-particles, and several scintillator-based gamma-ray detectors. Explosives and other hazardous chemicals are detected by analyzing secondary high-energy gamma-rays from reactions of fast neutrons with materials inside a container. The same gamma-ray detectors are used to detect unshielded radioactive and nuclear materials. An array of several neutron detectors is used to detect fast neutrons from induced fission of nuclear materials. Coincidence and timing analysis allows one to discriminate between fission neutrons and scattered probing neutrons. Mathematical modeling by MCNP5 and MCNP-PoliMi codes was used to estimate the sensitivity of the device and its optimal configuration. Comparison of the features of three gamma detector types—based on BGO, NaI and LaBr3 crystals is presented.

Emergency-Evacuation Cart

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedor, Otto H.; Owens, Lester J.

1988-01-01

Proposed cart designed to remove injured worker from vicinity of hazardous chemical spill. Self-propelled cart enables rescuer to move victim of industrial accident quickly away from toxic, flammable, explosive, corrosive, carcinogenic, asphyxiating, or extremely cold liquids. Intended for use where too dangerous for ambulances and other vehicles to approach accident site. Constructed of high-strength tubing, rides on bicycle wheels with balloon tires. Rescuer steers cart with handle at rear. Estimated mass of fully equipped vehicle is 650 lb.

Miniaturized Ion Mobility Spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stimac, Robert M. (Inventor); Kaye, William J (Inventor)

2017-01-01

By utilizing the combination of a unique electronic ion injection control circuit in conjunction with a particularly designed drift cell construction, the instantly disclosed ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) achieves increased levels of sensitivity, while achieving significant reductions in size and weight. The instant IMS is of a much simpler and easy to manufacture design, rugged and hermetically sealed, capable of operation at high temperatures to at least 250 degrees Centigrade, and is uniquely sensitive, particularly to explosive chemicals.

Miniaturized Ion Mobility Spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaye, William J. (Inventor); Stimac, Robert M. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

By utilizing the combination of a unique electronic ion injection control circuit in conjunction with a particularly designed drift cell construction, the instantly disclosed ion mobility spectrometer achieves increased levels of sensitivity, while achieving significant reductions in size and weight. The instant IMS is of a much simpler and easy to manufacture design, rugged and hermetically sealed, capable of operation at high temperatures to at least 250.degree. C., and is uniquely sensitive, particularly to explosive chemicals.

Investigation of ionospheric disturbances and associated diagnostic techniques. Final report, 1 January 1992-31 December 1994

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Duncan, L.M.

1995-12-12

The objectives of this research and development program were to conduct simulation modeling of the generation and propagation of atmospheric acoustic signals associated with surface and subsurface ground disturbances; to construct an experimental measurement system for exploratory research studies of acoustic generated ionospheric disturbances; to model high power radio wave propagation through the ionosphere, including nonlinear wave plasma interaction effects; and to assist in the assessment of diagnostic systems for observation of ionospheric modification experiments using existing and planned high latitude high power RF transmitting facilities. A computer simulation of ionospheric response to ground launched acoustic pulses was constructed andmore » results compared to observational data associated with HF and incoherent scatter radar measurements of ionospheric effects produced by earthquakes and ground level explosions. These results were then utilized to help define the design, construct and test for an HF Doppler radar system. In addition, an assessment was conducted of ionospheric diagnostic instruments proposed for the Air Force/Navy High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP).« less

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of High Explosive Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-29

explosives and secondary high explosives, and the sensitivities and properties of these molecules are provided. In addition to the synthesis of such materials...This review discusses the recent advances in the syntheses of high explosive energetic materials. Syntheses of some relevant modern primary

Flying-plate detonator using a high-density high explosive

DOEpatents

Stroud, John R.; Ornellas, Donald L.

1988-01-01

A flying-plate detonator containing a high-density high explosive such as benzotrifuroxan (BTF). The detonator involves the electrical explosion of a thin metal foil which punches out a flyer from a layer overlying the foil, and the flyer striking a high-density explosive pellet of BTF, which is more thermally stable than the conventional detonator using pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).

Big Explosives Experimental Facility - BEEF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

The Big Explosives Experimental Facility or BEEF is a ten acre fenced high explosive testing facility that provides data to support stockpile stewardship and other national security programs. At BEEF conventional high explosives experiments are safely conducted providing sophisticated diagnostics such as high speed optics and x-ray radiography.

Big Explosives Experimental Facility - BEEF

ScienceCinema

None

2018-01-16

The Big Explosives Experimental Facility or BEEF is a ten acre fenced high explosive testing facility that provides data to support stockpile stewardship and other national security programs. At BEEF conventional high explosives experiments are safely conducted providing sophisticated diagnostics such as high speed optics and x-ray radiography.

Experimental investigation of turbulent mixing in post-explosion environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Josh; Hargather, Michael

2015-11-01

Experiments are performed to investigate the turbulent mixing of product gases and the ambient environment in a post-explosion environment. The experiments are performed in a specially constructed shock tunnel where thermite-enhanced explosions are set off. The explosives are detonated at one end of the tunnel, producing a one-dimensional shock wave and product gas expansion which moves toward the open end of the tunnel. Optical diagnostics are applied to study the shock wave motion and the turbulent mixing of the gases after the detonation. Results are presented for schlieren, shadowgraph, and interferometry imaging of the expanding gases with simultaneous pressure measurements. An imaging spectrometer is used to identify the motion of product gas species. Results show varying shock speed with thermite mass and the identification of turbulent mixing regions.

Thermonuclear Explosions from Hybrid C/O/Ne White Dwarf Progenitors Ignited Centrally After Interior Mixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Augustine, Carlyn

2018-01-01

Type Ia Supernovae are thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf (WD) stars. Past studies predict the existence of "hybrid" white dwarfs, made of a C/O/Ne core with a O/Ne shell, and that these are viable progenitors for supernovae. More recent work found that the C/O core is mixed with the surrounding O/Ne while the WD cools. Inspired by this scenario, we performed simulations of thermonuclear supernovae in the single degenerate paradigm from these hybrid progenitors. Our investigation began by constructing a hybrid white dwarf model with the one-dimensional stellar evolution code MESA. The model was allowed to go through unstable interior mixing ignite carbon burning centrally. The MESA model was then mapped to a two-dimensional initial condition and an explosion simulated from that with FLASH. For comparison, a similar simulation of an explosion was performed from a traditional C/O progenitor WD. Comparing the yields produced by explosion simulations allows us to determine which model produces more 56Ni, and therefore brighter events, and how explosions from these models differ from explosions from previous models without the mixing during the WD cooling.

Seismic Imaging of the Source Physics Experiment Site with the Large-N Seismic Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, T.; Snelson, C. M.; Mellors, R. J.

2017-12-01

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) consists of a series of chemical explosions at the Nevada National Security Site. The goal of SPE is to understand seismic wave generation and propagation from these explosions. To achieve this goal, we need an accurate geophysical model of the SPE site. A Large-N seismic array that was deployed at the SPE site during one of the chemical explosions (SPE-5) helps us construct high-resolution local geophysical model. The Large-N seismic array consists of 996 geophones, and covers an area of approximately 2 × 2.5 km. The array is located in the northern end of the Yucca Flat basin, at a transition from Climax Stock (granite) to Yucca Flat (alluvium). In addition to the SPE-5 explosion, the Large-N array also recorded 53 weight drops. Using the Large-N seismic array recordings, we perform body wave and surface wave velocity analysis, and obtain 3D seismic imaging of the SPE site for the top crust of approximately 1 km. The imaging results show clear variation of geophysical parameter with local geological structures, including heterogeneous weathering layer and various rock types. The results of this work are being incorporated in the larger 3D modeling effort of the SPE program to validate the predictive models developed for the site.

Computing Q-D Relationships for Storage of Rocket Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jester, Keith

2005-01-01

The Quantity Distance Measurement Tool is a GIS BASEP computer program that aids safety engineers by calculating quantity-distance (Q-D) relationships for vessels that contain explosive chemicals used in testing rocket engines. (Q-D relationships are standard relationships between specified quantities of specified explosive materials and minimum distances by which they must be separated from persons, objects, and other explosives to obtain specified types and degrees of protection.) The program uses customized geographic-information-system (GIS) software and calculates Q-D relationships in accordance with NASA's Safety Standard For Explosives, Propellants, and Pyrotechnics. Displays generated by the program enable the identification of hazards, showing the relationships of propellant-storage-vessel safety buffers to inhabited facilities and public roads. Current Q-D information is calculated and maintained in graphical form for all vessels that contain propellants or other chemicals, the explosiveness of which is expressed in TNT equivalents [amounts of trinitrotoluene (TNT) having equivalent explosive effects]. The program is useful in the acquisition, siting, construction, and/or modification of storage vessels and other facilities in the development of an improved test-facility safety program.

Steam explosion pretreatment of softwood: the effect of the explosive decompression on enzymatic digestibility.

PubMed

Pielhop, Thomas; Amgarten, Janick; von Rohr, Philipp Rudolf; Studer, Michael H

2016-01-01

Steam explosion pretreatment has been examined in many studies for enhancing the enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass and is currently the most common pretreatment method in commercial biorefineries. The information available about the effect of the explosive decompression on the biochemical conversion is, however, very limited, and no studies prove that the latter is actually enhanced by the explosion. Hence, it is of great value to discern between the effect of the explosion on the one hand and the steaming on the other hand, to identify their particular influences on enzymatic digestibility. The effect of the explosive decompression in the steam explosion pretreatment of spruce wood chips on their enzymatic cellulose digestibility was studied systematically. The explosion had a high influence on digestibility, improving it by up to 90 % compared to a steam pretreatment without explosion. Two factors were identified to be essentially responsible for the effect of the explosion on enzymatic digestibility: pretreatment severity and pressure difference of the explosion. A higher pretreatment severity can soften up and weaken the lignocellulose structure more, so that the explosion can better break up the biomass and decrease its particle size, which enhances its digestibility. In particular, increasing the pressure difference of the explosion leads to more defibration, a smaller particle size and a better digestibility. Though differences were found in the micro- and nanostructure of exploded and non-exploded biomass, the only influence of the explosion on digestibility was found to be the macroscopic particle size reduction. Steam explosion treatments with a high severity and a high pressure difference of the explosion lead to a comparatively high cellulose digestibility of the-typically very recalcitrant-softwood biomass. This is the first study to show that explosion can enhance the enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass. If the enhancing effect of the explosion is thoroughly exploited, even very recalcitrant biomass like softwood can be made enzymatically digestible.

Extrusion cast explosive

DOEpatents

Scribner, Kenneth J.

1985-01-01

Improved, multiphase, high performance, high energy, extrusion cast explosive compositions, comprising, a crystalline explosive material; an energetic liquid plasticizer; a urethane prepolymer, comprising a blend of polyvinyl formal, and polycaprolactone; a polyfunctional isocyanate; and a catalyst are disclosed. These new explosive compositions exhibit higher explosive content, a smooth detonation front, excellent stability over long periods of storage, and lower sensitivity to mechanical stimulants.

Explosive safety criteria at a Department of Energy contractor facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krach, F.

1984-08-01

Monsanto Research Corporation (MRC) operates the Mound facility in Miamisburg, Ohio, for the Department of Energy. Small explosive components are manufactured at MRC, and stringent explosive safety criteria have been developed for their manufacturing. The goals of these standards are to reduce employee injuries and eliminate fenceline impacts resulting from accidental detonations. The manner in which these criteria were developed and what DOD standards were incorporated into MRC's own design criteria are described. These design requirements are applicable to all new construction at MRC. An example of the development of the design of a Component Test Facility is presented to illustrate the application of the criteria.

Embedded fiber Bragg grating pressure measurement during thermal ignition of a high explosive

DOE PAGES

Rodriguez, George; Smilowitz, Laura Beth; Henson, Bryan Fayne

2016-10-17

A high-speed fiber Bragg grating based pressure-only measurement is reported for the high explosive PBXN-9 under thermal initiation conditions. During exothermic thermal runaway, an explosion rise time of 500 μs reaching a peak pressure of 660 MPa is measured. Lastly, the approach offers a direct measure pressure diagnostic useful for quantifying reaction violence for high explosive chemistry.

Embedded fiber Bragg grating pressure measurement during thermal ignition of a high explosive

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodriguez, George; Smilowitz, Laura Beth; Henson, Bryan Fayne

A high-speed fiber Bragg grating based pressure-only measurement is reported for the high explosive PBXN-9 under thermal initiation conditions. During exothermic thermal runaway, an explosion rise time of 500 μs reaching a peak pressure of 660 MPa is measured. Lastly, the approach offers a direct measure pressure diagnostic useful for quantifying reaction violence for high explosive chemistry.

Non-detonable and non-explosive explosive simulators

DOEpatents

Simpson, Randall L.; Pruneda, Cesar O.

1997-01-01

A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable or explodable. The simulator is a combination of an explosive material with an inert material, either in a matrix or as a coating, where the explosive has a high surface ratio but small volume ratio. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs, calibrating analytical instruments which are sensitive to either vapor or elemental composition, or other applications where the hazards associated with explosives is undesirable but where chemical and/or elemental equivalence is required. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques. A first method involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and a second method involves coating inert substrates with thin layers of explosive.

46 CFR 194.10-1 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... CONTROL OF EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Magazines § 194.10-1 Application. (a) The provisions of this subpart apply to the construction of integral magazines, magazine vans, and magazine chests... construction of magazines shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of 49 CFR parts 173 and 176 and...

Method of Remotely Constructing a Room

DOEpatents

Michie, J. D.; De Hart, R. C.

1971-10-05

The testing of nuclear devices of high explosive yield has required that cavities of relatively large size be provided at considerable distances below the surface of the earth for the pre-detonation emplacement of the device. The construction of an essentially watertight chamber or room in the cavity is generally required for the actual emplacement of the device. A method is described of constructing such a room deep within the earth by personnel at the surface. A dual wall bladder of a watertight, pliable fabric material is lowered down a shaft into a selected position. The bladder is filled with a concrete grout while a heavy fluid having essentially the same density as the grout is maintained on both sides of the bladder, to facilitate complete deployment of the bladder by the grout to form a room of desired configuration. (10 claims)

Method of remotely constructing a room

DOEpatents

Michie, J.D.; De Hart, R.C.

1971-10-05

The testing of nuclear devices of high explosive yield has required that cavities of relatively large size be provided at considerable distances below the surface of the earth for the pre-detonation emplacement of the device. The construction of an essentially watertight chamber or room in the cavity is generally required for the actual emplacement of the device. A method is described of constructing such a room deep within the earth by personnel at the surface. A dual wall bladder of a watertight, pliable fabric material is lowered down a shaft into a selected position. The bladder is filled with a concrete grout while a heavy fluid having essentially the same density as the grout is maintained on both sides of the bladder, to facilitate complete deployment of the bladder by the grout to form a room of desired configuration. (10 claims)

The physical volcanology of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.; Wilson, Lionel; Zuber, Maria T.

1992-01-01

The physical volcanology of Mars is reviewed, with particular attention given to the diversity of volcanic landforms, the implied styles of eruption associated with the construction of these landforms, the inferred internal structure of the volcanoes, and the influence that the eruptions have had on the Martian environment (both local and global in scale). Volcanism in the central highlands appears to have been explosive in character, while most of the constructional activity in the northern plains was effusive. Highlands volcanism appears to be relatively old compared to that in the northern hemisphere. There is evidence for the existence of large magma chambers and very high effusion rate eruptions on Mars. Tectonic deformation associated with volcanic constructs is primarily a consequence of loading and magma transport, while deformation in the volcanic plains reflects stresses associated with Tharsis and major impact basins.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly fluorescent nanoparticles of a melamine-based porous covalent organic framework for trace-level detection of nitroaromatic explosives.

PubMed

Zhang, Wang; Qiu, Ling-Guang; Yuan, Yu-Peng; Xie, An-Jian; Shen, Yu-Hua; Zhu, Jun-Fa

2012-06-30

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a new generation of porous materials constructed from light elements linked by strong covalent bonds. Herein we present rapid preparation of highly fluorescent nanoparticles of a new type of COF, i.e. melamine-based porous polymeric network SNW-1, by a microwave-assisted synthesis route. Although the synthesis of SNW-1 has to be carried out at 180°C for 3d under conventional reflux conditions, SNW-1 nanoparticles could be obtained in 6h by using such a microwave-assisted method. The results obtained have clearly demonstrated that microwave-assisted synthesis is a simple yet highly efficient approach to nanoscale COFs or other porous polymeric materials. Remarkably, the as-synthesized SNW-1 nanoparticles exhibit extremely high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as fast response to nitroaromatic explosives such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl) and picric acid (PA) without interference by common organic solvents, which is due to the nanoscaled size and unique hierarchical porosity of such fluorescence-based sensing material. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrodynamic and material properties experiments using pulsed power techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinovsky, R. E.; Trainor, R. J.

2000-04-01

Within the last five years, a new approach to the exploration of dynamic material properties and advanced hydrodynamics at extreme conditions has joined the traditional techniques of high velocity guns and explosives. This new application uses electromagnetic energy to accelerate solid density material to produce shocks in a cylindrical target. The principal tool for producing high energy density environments is the high precision, magnetically imploded, near-solid density cylindrical liner. The most attractive pulsed power system for driving such experiments is an ultrahigh current, low impedance, microsecond time scale source that is economical both to build and to operate. Two families of pulsed power systems can be applied to drive such experiments. The 25-MJ Atlas capacitor bank system currently under construction at Los Alamos is the first system of its scale specifically designed to drive high precision solid liners. Delivering 30 MA, Atlas will provide liner velocities 12-15 km/sec and kinetic energies of 1-2 MJ/cm with extensive diagnostics and excellent reproducibility. Explosive flux compressor technology provides access to currents exceeding 100 MA producing liner velocities above 25 km/sec and kinetic energies of 5-20 MJ/cm in single shot operations

Extrusion cast explosive

DOEpatents

Scribner, K.J.

1985-01-29

Improved, multiphase, high performance, high energy, extrusion cast explosive compositions, comprising, a crystalline explosive material; an energetic liquid plasticizer; a urethane prepolymer, comprising a blend of polyvinyl formal, and polycaprolactone; a polyfunctional isocyanate; and a catalyst are disclosed. These new explosive compositions exhibit higher explosive content, a smooth detonation front, excellent stability over long periods of storage, and lower sensitivity to mechanical stimulants. 1 fig.

Extrusion cast explosive

DOEpatents

Scribner, K.J.

1985-11-26

Disclosed is an improved, multiphase, high performance, high energy, extrusion cast explosive compositions, comprising, a crystalline explosive material; an energetic liquid plasticizer; a urethane prepolymer, comprising a blend of polyvinyl formal, and polycaprolactone; a polyfunctional isocyanate; and a catalyst. These new explosive compositions exhibit higher explosive content, a smooth detonation front, excellent stability over long periods of storage, and lower sensitivity to mechanical stimulants. 1 fig.

Distribution of Ejecta in Analog Tephra Rings from Discrete Single and Multiple Subsurface Explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graettinger, A. H.; Valentine, G. A.; Sonder, I.; Ross, P. S.; White, J. D. L.

2015-12-01

Buried-explosion experiments were used to investigate the spatial and volumetric distribution of extra-crater ejecta resulting from a range of explosion configurations with and without a crater present. Explosion configuration is defined in terms of scaled depth, the relationship between depth of burial and the cube root of explosion energy, where an optimal scaled depth explosion produces the largest crater diameter for a given energy. The multiple explosion experiments provide an analog for the formation of maar-diatreme ejecta deposits and the deposits of discrete explosions through existing conduits and hydrothermal systems. Experiments produced meter-sized craters with ejecta distributed between three major facies based on morphology and distance from the crater center. The proximal deposits form a constructional steep-sided ring that extends no more than two-times the crater radius away from center. The medial deposits form a low-angle continuous blanket that transitions with distance into the isolated clasts of the distal ejecta. Single explosion experiments produce a trend of increasing volume proportion of proximal ejecta as scaled depth increases (from 20-90% vol.). Multiple explosion experiments are dominated by proximal deposits (>90% vol.) for all but optimal scaled depth conditions (40-70% vol.). In addition to scaled depth, the presence of a crater influences jet shape and how the jet collapses, resulting in two end-member depositional mechanisms that produce distinctive facies. The experiments use one well-constrained explosion mechanism and, consequently, the variations in depositional facies and distribution are the result of conditions independent of that mechanism. Previous interpretations have invoked variations in fragmentation as the cause of this variability, but these experiments should help with a more complete reconstruction of the configuration and number of explosions that produce a tephra ring.

Shock Initiation of Wedge-shaped Explosive Measured with Smear Camera and Photon Doppler Velocimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Yan

2017-06-01

Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is an important insensitive high explosive in conventional weapons due to its safety and high energy. In order to have an insight into the shock initiation performance of a TATB-based insensitive high explosive (IHE), experimental measurements of the particle velocity histories of the TATB-based Explosive using Photon Doppler Velocimetry and shock wave profile of the TATB-based explosive using High Speed Rotating Mirror Smear Camera had been performed. In this paper, we would describe the shock initiation performance of the TATB-based explosive by run-to-detonation distance and the particle velocity history at an initialization shock of about 7.9 GPa. The parameters of hugoniot of unreacted the TATB-based explosive and Pop relationship could be derived with the particle velocity history obtained in this paper.

The use of explosives by the US Antarctic Program. Environmental report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ensminger, J.T.; Blasing, T.J.

1995-06-01

This report was prepared to assist principal investigators and others in complying with NEPA and the protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Research activities and associated support operations in Antarctica sometimes require use of explosives. This report evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with such activities and possible methods for mitigating those impacts. The greatest single use of explosives, and the only type of blasting that will occur on the Polar Plateau (an exception is the rare use of explosives to cave in dangerous ice for safety reasons), is for seismic surveys. The charges for these are small-scale, aremore » placed in or on the snow or ice, are distributed linearly over long distances, and present no potential impacts to soil or geological substrata. Impacts from those would be less than minor or transitory. Wherever possible, blasting holes in sea ice will be replaced by drilling by auger or melting. Other uses of explosives, such as in geologic research and construction, are discussed.« less

Emergency in-flight egress opening for general aviation aircraft. [pilot bailout

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, L. J.

1980-01-01

An emergency in-flight egress system was installed in a light general aviation airplane. The airplane had no provision for egress on the left side. To avoid a major structural redesign for a mechanical door, an add on 11.2 kg (24.6 lb) pyrotechnic-actuated system was developed to create an opening in the existing structure. The skin of the airplane was explosively severed around the side window, across a central stringer, and down to the floor, creating an opening of approximately 76 by 76 cm. The severed panel was jettisoned at an initial velocity of approximately 13.7 m/sec. System development included a total of 68 explosive severance tests on aluminum material using small samples, small and full scale flat panel aircraft structural mockups, and an actual aircraft fuselage. These tests proved explosive sizing/severance margins, explosive initiation, explosive product containment, and system dynamics. This technology is applicable to any aircraft of similar construction.

Molecular hydrodynamics of high explosives

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Belak, J.

1994-11-01

High explosives release mechanical energy through chemical reactions. Applications of high explosives are vast in the mining and military industries and are beginning to see more civilian applications such as the deployment of airbags in modern automobiles. One of the central issues surrounding explosive materials is decreasing their sensitivity, necessary for their safe handling, while maintaining a high yield. Many practical tests have been devised to determine the sensitivity of explosive materials to shock, to impact, to spark, and to friction. These tests have great value in determining yield and setting precautions for safe handling but tell little of themore » mechanisms of initiation. How is the mechanical energy of impact or friction transformed into the chemical excitation that initiates explosion? The answer is intimately related to the structure of the explosive material, the size and distribution of grains, the size and presence of open areas such as voids and gas bubbles, and inevitably the bonding between explosive molecules.« less

Mass distribution of orbiting man-made space debris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bess, T. D.

1975-01-01

Three ways of producing space debris were considered, and data were analyzed to determine mass distributions for man-made space debris. Hypervelocity (3.0 to 4.5 km/sec) projectile impact with a spacecraft wall, high intensity explosions and low intensity explosions were studied. For hypervelocity projectile impact of a spacecraft wall, the number of fragments fits a power law. The number of fragments for both high intensity and low intensity explosions fits an exponential law. However, the number of fragments produced by low intensity explosions is much lower than the number of fragments produced by high intensity explosions. Fragment masses down to 10 to the -7 power gram were produced from hypervelocity impact, but the smallest fragment mass resulting from an explosion appeared to be about 10 mg. Velocities of fragments resulting from hypervelocity impact were about 10 m/sec, and those from low intensity explosions were about 100 m/sec. Velocities of fragments from high intensity explosions were about 3 km/sec.

Non-detonable and non-explosive explosive simulators

DOEpatents

Simpson, R.L.; Pruneda, C.O.

1997-07-15

A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable or explodable is disclosed. The simulator is a combination of an explosive material with an inert material, either in a matrix or as a coating, where the explosive has a high surface ratio but small volume ratio. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs, calibrating analytical instruments which are sensitive to either vapor or elemental composition, or other applications where the hazards associated with explosives is undesirable but where chemical and/or elemental equivalence is required. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques. A first method involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and a second method involves coating inert substrates with thin layers of explosive. 11 figs.

Eigenvalue Detonation of Combined Effects Aluminized Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capellos, Christos; Baker, Ernest; Balas, Wendy; Nicolich, Steven; Stiel, Leonard

2007-06-01

This paper reports on the development of theory and performance for recently developed combined effects aluminized explosives. Traditional high energy explosives used for metal pushing incorporate high loading percentages of HMX or RDX, whereas blast explosives incorporate some percentage of aluminum. However, the high blast explosives produce increased blast energies, with reduced metal pushing capability due to late time aluminum reaction. Metal pushing capability refers to the early volume expansion work produced during the first few volume expansions associated with cylinder wall velocities and Gurney energies. Our Recently developed combined effects aluminized explosives (PAX-29C, PAX-30, PAX-42) are capable of achieving excellent metal pushing and high blast energies. Traditional Chapman-Jouguet detonation theory does not explain the observed detonation states achieved by these combined effects explosives. This work demonstrates, with the use of cylinder expansion data and thermochemical code calculations (JAGUAR and CHEETAH), that eigenvalue detonation theory explains the observed behavior.

Novel CE-MS technique for detection of high explosives using perfluorooctanoic acid as a MEKC and mass spectrometric complexation reagent.

PubMed

Brensinger, Karen; Rollman, Christopher; Copper, Christine; Genzman, Ashton; Rine, Jacqueline; Lurie, Ira; Moini, Mehdi

2016-01-01

To address the need for the forensic analysis of high explosives, a novel capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) technique has been developed for high resolution, sensitivity, and mass accuracy detection of these compounds. The technique uses perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as both a micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) reagent for separation of neutral explosives and as the complexation reagent for mass spectrometric detection of PFOA-explosive complexes in the negative ion mode. High explosives that formed complexes with PFOA included RDX, HMX, tetryl, and PETN. Some nitroaromatics were detected as molecular ions. Detection limits in the high parts per billion range and linear calibration responses over two orders of magnitude were obtained. For proof of concept, the technique was applied to the quantitative analysis of high explosives in sand samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

DMSO/base hydrolysis method for the disposal of high explosives and related energetic materials

DOEpatents

Desmare, Gabriel W.; Cates, Dillard M.

2002-05-14

High explosives and related energetic materials are treated via a DMSO/base hydrolysis method which renders them non-explosive and/or non-energetic. For example, high explosives such as 1,3,5,7-tetraaza-1,3,5,7-tetranitrocyclooctane (HMX), 1,3,5-triaza-1,3,5-trinitrocyclohexane (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), or mixtures thereof, may be dissolved in a polar, aprotic solvent and subsequently hydrolyzed by adding the explosive-containing solution to concentrated aqueous base. Major hydrolysis products typically include nitrite, formate, and nitrous oxide.

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 5: RCS engine deformation and destruct tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miron, Y.; Perlee, H. E.

1974-01-01

Tests were conducted to determine the causes of Apollo Reaction Control (RCS) engine failures. Stainless steel engines constructed for use in the destructive tests are described. The tests conducted during the three phase investigation are discussed. It was determined that the explosive reaction that destroys the RCS engines occurs at the time of engine ignition and is apparently due to either the detonation of the heterogeneous constituents of the rocket engine, consisting primarily of unreacted propellant droplets and vapors, and/or the detonation of explosive materials accumulated on the engine walls from previous pulses. Photographs of the effects of explosions on the simulated RCS engines are provided.

Identifying a combined construct of grief and explosive anger as a response to injustice amongst survivors of mass conflict: A latent class analysis of data from Timor-Leste.

PubMed

Rees, Susan J; Tay, Alvin Kuowei; Savio, Elisa; Maria Da Costa, Zelia; Silove, Derrick

2017-01-01

Previous studies have identified high rates of explosive anger amongst post-conflict populations including Timor-Leste. We sought to test whether explosive anger was integrally associated with symptoms of grief amongst the Timorese, a society that has experienced extensive conflict-related losses. In 2010 and 2011 we recruited adults (n = 2964), 18-years and older, living in an urban and a rural village in Timor-Leste. We applied latent class analysis to identify subpopulations based on symptoms of explosive anger and grief. The best fitting model comprised three classes: grief (24%), grief-anger (25%), and a low symptom group (51%). There were more women and urban dwellers in the grief and grief-anger classes compared to the reference class. Persons in the grief and grief-anger classes experienced higher rates of witnessing murder and atrocities and traumatic losses, ongoing poverty, and preoccupations with injustice for the two historical periods of conflict (the Indonesian occupation and the later internal conflict). Compared to the reference class, only the grief-anger class reported greater exposure to extreme deprivations during the conflict, ongoing family conflict, and preoccupations with injustice for contemporary times; and compared to the grief class, greater exposure to traumatic losses, poverty, family conflict and preoccupations with injustice for both the internal conflict and contemporary times. A substantial number of adults in this post-conflict country experienced a combined constellation of grief and explosive anger associated with extensive traumatic losses, deprivations, and preoccupations with injustice. Importantly, grief-anger may be linked to family conflict in this post-conflict environment.

Identifying a combined construct of grief and explosive anger as a response to injustice amongst survivors of mass conflict: A latent class analysis of data from Timor-Leste

PubMed Central

Rees, Susan J.; Tay, Alvin Kuowei; Savio, Elisa; Maria Da Costa, Zelia; Silove, Derrick

2017-01-01

Previous studies have identified high rates of explosive anger amongst post-conflict populations including Timor-Leste. We sought to test whether explosive anger was integrally associated with symptoms of grief amongst the Timorese, a society that has experienced extensive conflict-related losses. In 2010 and 2011 we recruited adults (n = 2964), 18-years and older, living in an urban and a rural village in Timor-Leste. We applied latent class analysis to identify subpopulations based on symptoms of explosive anger and grief. The best fitting model comprised three classes: grief (24%), grief-anger (25%), and a low symptom group (51%). There were more women and urban dwellers in the grief and grief-anger classes compared to the reference class. Persons in the grief and grief-anger classes experienced higher rates of witnessing murder and atrocities and traumatic losses, ongoing poverty, and preoccupations with injustice for the two historical periods of conflict (the Indonesian occupation and the later internal conflict). Compared to the reference class, only the grief-anger class reported greater exposure to extreme deprivations during the conflict, ongoing family conflict, and preoccupations with injustice for contemporary times; and compared to the grief class, greater exposure to traumatic losses, poverty, family conflict and preoccupations with injustice for both the internal conflict and contemporary times. A substantial number of adults in this post-conflict country experienced a combined constellation of grief and explosive anger associated with extensive traumatic losses, deprivations, and preoccupations with injustice. Importantly, grief-anger may be linked to family conflict in this post-conflict environment. PMID:28430793

Design and fabrication of optical chemical sensor for detection of nitroaromatic explosives based on fluorescence quenching of phenol red immobilized poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane.

PubMed

Zarei, Ali Reza; Ghazanchayi, Behnam

2016-04-01

The present study developed a new optical chemical sensor for detection of nitroaromatic explosives in liquid phase. The method is based on the fluorescence quenching of phenol red as fluorophore in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membrane in the presence of nitroaromatic explosives as quenchers, e.g., 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TNB), and nitrobenzene (NB). For chemical immobilization of phenol red in PVA, phenol red reacted with formaldehyde to produce hydroxymethyl groups and then attached to PVA membrane through the hydroxymethyl groups. The optical sensor showed strong quenching of nitroaromatic explosives. A Stern-Volmer graph for each explosive was constructed and showed that the range of concentration from 5.0 × 10(-6) to 2.5 × 10(-4) mol L(-1) was linear for each explosive and sensitivity varied as TNB >TNT>2,4-DNT>NB>4-NT. The response time of the sensor was within 1 min. The proposed sensor showed good reversibility and reproducibility. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimating explosion properties of normal hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pejcha, Ondrej

2017-08-01

Recent parameterized 1D explosion models of hundreds of core-collapse supernova progenitors suggest that success and failure are intertwined in a complex pattern that is not a simple function of the progenitor initial mass. This rugged landscape is present also in other explosion properties, allowing for quantitative tests of the neutrino mechanism from observations of hundreds of supernovae discovered every year. We present a new self-consistent and versatile method that derives photospheric radius and temperature variations of normal hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernovae based on their photometric measurements and expansion velocities. We construct SED and bolometric light curves, determine explosion energies, ejecta and nickel masses while taking into account all uncertainties and covariances of the model. We describe the efforts to compare the inferences to the predictions of the neutrino mechanim. The model can be adapted to include more physical assumptions to utilize primarily photometric data coming from surveys such as LSST.

Operation CASTLE. Report of the Manager Santa Fe Operations. Extracted Version.

DTIC Science & Technology

Nuclear explosion testing, *Test facilities, *Management planning and control, Pacific Ocean, Eniwetok Atoll, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands , Organizations, Construction, Operation, Management, Logistics support, Costs

Rootless Cones on Mars: A Consequence of Lava-Ground Ice Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fagents, S. A.; Greeley, R.; Lanagan, P.

2002-01-01

Fields of small cratered cones on Mars are interpreted to have formed by rootless eruptions due to explosive interaction of lava with ground ice contained within the regolith beneath the flow. Melting and vaporization of the ice, and subsequent explosive expansion of the vapour, act to excavate the lava and construct a rootless cone around the explosion site. Similar features are found in Iceland, where flowing lava encountered water-saturated substrates. The martian cones have basal diameters of c. 30-1000 m and are located predominantly in the northern volcanic plains. High-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera images offer significant improvements over Viking data for interpretation of cone origins. A new model of the dynamics of cone formation indicates that very modest amounts of water ice are required to initiate and sustain the explosive interactions that produced the observed features. This is consistent with the likely low availability of water ice in the martian regolith. The scarcity of impact craters on many of the host lava flows indicates very young ages, suggesting that ground ice was present as recently as less than 10 - l00 Ma, and may persist today. Rootless cones therefore act as a spatial and temporal probe of the distribution of ground ice on Mars, which is of key significance in understanding the evolution of the martian climate. The location of water in liquid or solid form is of great importance to future robotic and human exploration strategies, and to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Metal-Free Poly-Cycloaddition of Activated Azide and Alkynes toward Multifunctional Polytriazoles: Aggregation-Induced Emission, Explosive Detection, Fluorescent Patterning, and Light Refraction.

PubMed

Wu, Yongwei; He, Benzhao; Quan, Changyun; Zheng, Chao; Deng, Haiqin; Hu, Rongrong; Zhao, Zujin; Huang, Fei; Qin, Anjun; Tang, Ben Zhong

2017-09-01

The metal-free click polymerization (MFCP) of activated alkynes and azides or activated azide and alkynes have been developed into powerful techniques for the construction of polytriazoles without the obsession of metallic catalyst residues problem. However, the MFCP of activated azides and alkynes is rarely applied in preparation of functional polytriazoles. In this paper, soluble multifunctional polytriazoles (PIa and PIb) with high weight-average molecular weights (M w up to 32 000) are prepared via the developed metal-free poly-cycloaddition of activated azide and alkynes in high yields (up to 90%). The resultant PIa and PIb are thermally stable, and show aggregation-induced emission characteristics, enabling their aggregates to detect explosives with superamplification effect. Moreover, thanks to their containing aromatic rings and polar moieties, PIa and PIb exhibit high refractive indices. In addition, they can also be cross-linked upon UV irradiation to generate 2D fluorescent patterning due to their remaining azide groups and containing ester groups. Thus, these multifunctional polytriazoles are potentially applicable in the optoelectronic and sensing fields. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Characterization of high explosive particles using cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Gillen, Greg; Mahoney, Christine; Wight, Scott; Lareau, Richard

2006-01-01

The use of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for the detection and spatially resolved analysis of individual high explosive particles is described. A C(8) (-) carbon cluster primary ion beam was used in a commercial SIMS instrument to analyze samples of high explosives dispersed as particles on silicon substrates. In comparison with monatomic primary ion bombardment, the carbon cluster primary ion beam was found to greatly enhance characteristic secondary ion signals from the explosive compounds while causing minimal beam-induced degradation. The resistance of these compounds to degradation under ion bombardment allows explosive particles to be analyzed under high primary ion dose bombardment (dynamic SIMS) conditions, facilitating the rapid acquisition of spatially resolved molecular information. The use of cluster SIMS combined with computer control of the sample stage position allows for the automated identification and counting of explosive particle distributions on silicon surfaces. This will be useful for characterizing the efficiency of transfer of particulates in trace explosive detection portal collectors and/or swipes utilized for ion mobility spectrometry applications.

Thermal reactive hazards of HMX with contaminants.

PubMed

Peng, Deng-Jr; Chang, Cheng-Ming; Chiu, Miin

2004-10-18

In the past, many unexpected runaway accidents occurred in manufacturing processes, involving volatile chemical and explosive storage and transportation. Incompatible product reactions of high explosives must be carefully considered using loss prevention strategies for thermal hazards risk analysis. High explosive reactions vary via environmental changes, contact materials, or process situations, such as onset temperature and shifts in reaction type when high explosives are in contact with contaminants. Therefore, the manufacture and handling of high explosives require the utmost in safety and loss prevention. HMX (cyclotetramethyene tetranitramine) is one kind of high explosive widely used around the world which is stable with high detonation strength properties. In this study, the influences of contaminants on HMX are investigated. The studied contaminants include ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate, acetone solution, acetic acid, and nitric acid. DSC thermal curves and incompatible reaction kinetic evaluations were preformed using iron, chlorine and acid. Organic acetone solution has lesser effects on HMX. Hopefully, this study will lead to improved thermal hazards risk analysis and reduce accidents.

High temperature detonator

DOEpatents

Johnson, James O.; Dinegar, Robert H.

1988-01-01

A detonator assembly is provided which is usable at high temperatures about 300.degree. C. A detonator body is provided with an internal volume defining an anvil surface. A first acceptor explosive is disposed on the anvil surface. A donor assembly having an ignition element, an explosive material, and a flying plate, are placed in the body effective to accelerate the flying plate to impact the first acceptor explosive on the anvil for detonating the first acceptor explosive. A second acceptor explosive is eccentrically located in detonation relationship with the first acceptor explosive to thereafter effect detonation of a main charge.

49 CFR 176.137 - Portable magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... requirements: (1) It must be weather-tight, constructed of wood or metal lined with wood at least 2 cm (0.787... wood, a portable magazine must be framed of nominal 5 cm × 10 cm (2×4 inch) lumber, and sheathed with... used for the stowage of Class 1 (explosive) materials under such construction, handling, and stowage...

46 CFR 160.038-3 - Materials, workmanship, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... of the metal chest and fittings shall be given a heavy coat of quick drying red lead, zinc chromate... be constructed of metal and lined with wood. (b) The lining shall be so fitted and finished as to... explosives or pyrotechnics from contact with metal surfaces. (c) The metal shall be 1/8 inch thick and free...

46 CFR 160.038-3 - Materials, workmanship, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... of the metal chest and fittings shall be given a heavy coat of quick drying red lead, zinc chromate... be constructed of metal and lined with wood. (b) The lining shall be so fitted and finished as to... explosives or pyrotechnics from contact with metal surfaces. (c) The metal shall be 1/8 inch thick and free...

46 CFR 160.038-3 - Materials, workmanship, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... of the metal chest and fittings shall be given a heavy coat of quick drying red lead, zinc chromate... be constructed of metal and lined with wood. (b) The lining shall be so fitted and finished as to... explosives or pyrotechnics from contact with metal surfaces. (c) The metal shall be 1/8 inch thick and free...

46 CFR 160.038-3 - Materials, workmanship, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... of the metal chest and fittings shall be given a heavy coat of quick drying red lead, zinc chromate... be constructed of metal and lined with wood. (b) The lining shall be so fitted and finished as to... explosives or pyrotechnics from contact with metal surfaces. (c) The metal shall be 1/8 inch thick and free...

46 CFR 160.038-3 - Materials, workmanship, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... of the metal chest and fittings shall be given a heavy coat of quick drying red lead, zinc chromate... be constructed of metal and lined with wood. (b) The lining shall be so fitted and finished as to... explosives or pyrotechnics from contact with metal surfaces. (c) The metal shall be 1/8 inch thick and free...

Environmental Assessment of the Construction and Operation of a Solar Photovoltaic Array (SPVA) Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

Buckley AFB, Colorado April 2009 1-3 Figure 1-1. Buckley AFB Vicinity Map daho ’ C] Buckley AFB Boundary - - Miles 0.5 Scale Final EA...construction activities. The proposed action is located outside all quantity distance (QD) explosive clear zones. The contractor would ensure that a

Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Volume 1. Army Abstracts of Phase 1 Awards from FY 1988 SBIR Solicitation

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-01

CONSTRUCTION). CONCEPT ANALYSIS CORP 14789 KEEL ST PLYMOUTH, MI 48170 CONTRACT NUMBER: DAHO -88-C-0942 DR’S WALDEN & GLANCE TITLE: MISSILE GEOMETRY PACKAGE TOPIC...COUNTING STUDY CAN BE UTILIZED TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EXPLOSION MONITORING SYSTEM. E SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM - PHASE... EXPLOSIVE OR GROUND PENETRATING MUNITIONS ARE TO BE EVALUATED. IN THAT CASE THE SYSTEM WILL BE ENHANCED WITH SEISMIC SENSORS. THE SEISMIC SIGNALS MAY

Experimental transient and permanent deformation studies of steel-sphere-impacted or explosively-impulsed aluminum panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Witmer, E. A.; Merlis, F.; Rodal, J. J. A.; Stagliano, T. R.

1977-01-01

The sheet explosive loading technique (SELT) was employed to obtain elastic-plastic, large deflection 3-d transient and/or permanent strain data on simple well defined structural specimens and materials: initially-flat 6061-T651 aluminum panels with all four sides ideally clamped via integral construction. The SELT loading technique was chosen since it is both convenient and provides "forcing function information" of small uncertainty. These data will be useful for evaluating pertinent 3-d structural response prediction methods.

30 CFR 18.38 - Leads through common walls.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and Design... from one explosion-proof enclosure to another through conduit, tubing, piping, or other solid-wall...

30 CFR 18.38 - Leads through common walls.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and Design... from one explosion-proof enclosure to another through conduit, tubing, piping, or other solid-wall...

30 CFR 18.38 - Leads through common walls.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and Design... from one explosion-proof enclosure to another through conduit, tubing, piping, or other solid-wall...

30 CFR 18.38 - Leads through common walls.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and Design... from one explosion-proof enclosure to another through conduit, tubing, piping, or other solid-wall...

DoD Contractors’ Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives.

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-09-01

grit, and other foreign material into operating buildings. 9. Windows and skylights . Non-shatterable glazing is preferred where an explosion...with the explosives being processed. Dull or damaged tools shall not be used for machining high explosives. k. The explosives products resulting from

Promising New High-Explosives: Triaminoguanidinium (TAG) and Dinitramide (DN) Salts

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

1 PROMISING NEW HIGH- EXPLOSIVES : TRIAMINOGUANIDINIUM (TAG) AND DINITRAMIDE (DN) SALTS Thomas M. Klapötke,* Norbert Mayr, L.d.R. and Jörg...Me-AtNO2, 4) shows great explosion performance and may be an alternative to commonly used and toxic RDX. An improved synthesis for the promising...Including the good thermal stability 9 could be an alternative to RDX as a high explosive . In addition, the thermal behavior under confinement and the

Quantitative understanding of explosive stimulus transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schimmel, M. L.

1973-01-01

The mechanisms of detonation transfer across hermetically sealed interfaces created by necessary interruptions in high explosive trains, such as at detonators to explosive columns, field joints in explosive columns, and components of munitions fuse trains are demostrated. Reliability of detonation transfer is limited by minimizing explosive quantities, the use of intensitive explosives for safety, and requirements to propagate across gaps and angles dictated by installation and production restraints. The major detonation transfer variables studied were: explosive quanity, sensitivity, and thickness, and the separation distances between donor and acceptor explosives.

Aspherical Supernovae and Oblique Shock Breakout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afsariardchi, Niloufar; Matzner, Christopher D.

2017-02-01

In an aspherical supernova explosion, shock emergence is not simultaneous and non-radial flows develop near the stellar surface. Oblique shock breakouts tend to be easily developed in compact progenitors like stripped-envelop core collapse supernovae. According to Matzner et al. (2013), non-spherical explosions develop non-radial flows that alters the observable emission and radiation of a supernova explosion. These flows can limit ejecta speed, change the distribution of matter and heat of the ejecta, suppress the breakout flash, and most importantly engender collisions outside the star. We construct a global numerical FLASH hydrodynamic simulation in a two dimensional spherical coordinate, focusing on the non-relativistic, adiabatic limit in a polytropic envelope to see how these fundamental differences affect the early light curve of core-collapse SNe.

Understanding the shock and detonation response of high explosives at the continuum and meso scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handley, C. A.; Lambourn, B. D.; Whitworth, N. J.; James, H. R.; Belfield, W. J.

2018-03-01

The shock and detonation response of high explosives has been an active research topic for more than a century. In recent years, high quality data from experiments using embedded gauges and other diagnostic techniques have inspired the development of a range of new high-fidelity computer models for explosives. The experiments and models have led to new insights, both at the continuum scale applicable to most shock and detonation experiments, and at the mesoscale relevant to hotspots and burning within explosive microstructures. This article reviews the continuum and mesoscale models, and their application to explosive phenomena, gaining insights to aid future model development and improved understanding of the physics of shock initiation and detonation propagation. In particular, it is argued that "desensitization" and the effect of porosity on high explosives can both be explained by the combined effect of thermodynamics and hydrodynamics, rather than the traditional hotspot-based explanations linked to pressure-dependent reaction rates.

Non-detonable explosive simulators

DOEpatents

Simpson, Randall L.; Pruneda, Cesar O.

1994-01-01

A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs and calibrating sensitive analytical instruments. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques, a first involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and the second involves coating inert beads with thin layers of explosive molecules.

46 CFR 194.05-7 - Explosives-Detail requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... shall be constructed of incombustible materials; awnings and tarpaulins shall be fire-resistant and/or flame proof fabric. (3) Items shall be properly secured by using existing vessel structures such as...

Shock Initiated Reactions of Reactive Multiphase Blast Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Dennis; Granier, John; Johnson, Richard; Littrell, Donald

2015-06-01

This paper describes a new class of reactive multiphase blast explosives (RMBX) and characterization of their blast characteristics. These RMBXs are non-ideal explosive compositions of perfluoropolyether (PFPE), nano aluminum, and a micron-size high-density reactive metal - Tantalum, Zirconium, or Zinc in mass loadings of 66 to 83 percent. Unlike high explosives, these PFPE-metal compositions release energy via a fast self-oxidized combustion wave (rather than a true self-sustaining detonation) that is shock dependent, and can be overdriven to control energy release rate. The term ``reactive multiphase blast'' refers to the post-dispersion blast behavior: multiphase in that there are a gas phase that imparts pressure and a solid (particulate) phase that imparts momentum; and reactive in that the hot metal particles react with atmospheric oxygen and the explosive gas products to give an extended pressure pulse. The RMBX formulations were tested in two spherical core-shell geometries - an RMBX shell exploded by a high explosive core, and an RMBX core imploded by a high explosive shell. The fireball and blast characteristics were compared to a C-4 baseline charge.

Multiplets: Their behavior and utility at dacitic and andesitic volcanic centers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thelen, W.; Malone, S.; West, M.

2011-01-01

Multiplets, or groups of earthquakes with similar waveforms, are commonly observed at volcanoes, particularly those exhibiting unrest. Using triggered seismic data from the 1980-1986 Mount St. Helens (MSH) eruption, we have constructed a catalog of multiplet occurrence. Our analysis reveals that the occurrence of multiplets is related, at least in part, to the viscosity of the magma. We also constructed catalogs of multiplet occurrence using continuous seismic data from the 2004 eruption at MSH and 2007 eruption at Bezymianny Volcano, Russia. Prior to explosions at MSH in 2004 and Bezymianny in 2007, the multiplet proportion of total seismicity (MPTS) declined, while the average amplitudes and standard deviations of the average amplitude increased. The life spans of multiplets (time between the first and last event) were also shorter prior to explosions than during passive lava extrusion. Dome-forming eruptions that include a partially solidified plug, like MSH (1983-1986 and 2004-2008), often possess multiplets with longer life spans and MPTS values exceeding 50%. Conceptually, the relatively unstable environment prior to explosions is characterized by large and variable stress gradients brought about by rapidly changing overpressures within the conduit. We infer that such complex stress fields affect the number of concurrent families, MPTS, average amplitude, and standard deviation of the amplitude of the multiplets. We also argue that multiplet detection may be an important new monitoring tool for determining the timing of explosions and in forecasting the type of eruption.

Optical detection of explosives: spectral signatures for the explosive bouquet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osborn, Tabetha; Kaimal, Sindhu; Causey, Jason; Burns, William; Reeve, Scott

2009-05-01

Research with canines suggests that sniffer dogs alert not on the odor from a pure explosive, but rather on a set of far more volatile species present in an explosive as impurities. Following the explosive trained canine example, we have begun examining the vapor signatures for many of these volatile impurities utilizing high resolution spectroscopic techniques in several molecular fingerprint regions. Here we will describe some of these high resolution measurements and discuss strategies for selecting useful spectral signature regions for individual molecular markers of interest.

Method for fabricating non-detonable explosive simulants

DOEpatents

Simpson, Randall L.; Pruneda, Cesar O.

1995-01-01

A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs and calibrating sensitive analytical instruments. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques, a first involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and the second involves coating inert beads with thin layers of explosive molecules.

Non-detonable explosive simulators

DOEpatents

Simpson, R.L.; Pruneda, C.O.

1994-11-01

A simulator which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs and calibrating sensitive analytical instruments. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques, a first involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and the second involves coating inert beads with thin layers of explosive molecules. 5 figs.

Explosion probability of unexploded ordnance: expert beliefs.

PubMed

MacDonald, Jacqueline Anne; Small, Mitchell J; Morgan, M G

2008-08-01

This article reports on a study to quantify expert beliefs about the explosion probability of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Some 1,976 sites at closed military bases in the United States are contaminated with UXO and are slated for cleanup, at an estimated cost of $15-140 billion. Because no available technology can guarantee 100% removal of UXO, information about explosion probability is needed to assess the residual risks of civilian reuse of closed military bases and to make decisions about how much to invest in cleanup. This study elicited probability distributions for the chance of UXO explosion from 25 experts in explosive ordnance disposal, all of whom have had field experience in UXO identification and deactivation. The study considered six different scenarios: three different types of UXO handled in two different ways (one involving children and the other involving construction workers). We also asked the experts to rank by sensitivity to explosion 20 different kinds of UXO found at a case study site at Fort Ord, California. We found that the experts do not agree about the probability of UXO explosion, with significant differences among experts in their mean estimates of explosion probabilities and in the amount of uncertainty that they express in their estimates. In three of the six scenarios, the divergence was so great that the average of all the expert probability distributions was statistically indistinguishable from a uniform (0, 1) distribution-suggesting that the sum of expert opinion provides no information at all about the explosion risk. The experts' opinions on the relative sensitivity to explosion of the 20 UXO items also diverged. The average correlation between rankings of any pair of experts was 0.41, which, statistically, is barely significant (p= 0.049) at the 95% confidence level. Thus, one expert's rankings provide little predictive information about another's rankings. The lack of consensus among experts suggests that empirical studies are needed to better understand the explosion risks of UXO.

Pressure Amplification Off High Impedance Barriers in DDT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heatwole, Eric Mann; Broilo, Robert M.; Kistle, Trevin Joseph

The Deflagration-to-Detonation Transition (DDT) in one-dimensional porous explosive, where combustion in an explosive transitions to detonation, can be described by the following model. This simplified model proceeds in five steps, as follows: 1) Ignition of the explosive, surface burning. 2) Convective burning, with the flame front penetrating through the porous network of the explosive. This proceeds until the pressure grows high enough to result in choked flow in the pores restricting the convective burn. 3) The choked flow results in the formation of a high-density compact of explosive. This compact is driven into undisturbed material by the pressure of themore » burning explosive. See Figure1. 4) The compression of the undisturbed porous explosive by the compact leads to the ignition of a compressive burn. This builds in pressure until a supported shock forms. 5) The shock builds in pressure until detonation occurs. See Figure 2 for an overview streak of the proceeding steps.« less

High-speed imaging, acoustic features, and aeroacoustic computations of jet noise from Strombolian (and Vulcanian) explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taddeucci, J.; Sesterhenn, J.; Scarlato, P.; Stampka, K.; Del Bello, E.; Pena Fernandez, J. J.; Gaudin, D.

2014-05-01

High-speed imaging of explosive eruptions at Stromboli (Italy), Fuego (Guatemala), and Yasur (Vanuatu) volcanoes allowed visualization of pressure waves from seconds-long explosions. From the explosion jets, waves radiate with variable geometry, timing, and apparent direction and velocity. Both the explosion jets and their wave fields are replicated well by numerical simulations of supersonic jets impulsively released from a pressurized vessel. The scaled acoustic signal from one explosion at Stromboli displays a frequency pattern with an excellent match to those from the simulated jets. We conclude that both the observed waves and the audible sound from the explosions are jet noise, i.e., the typical acoustic field radiating from high-velocity jets. Volcanic jet noise was previously quantified only in the infrasonic emissions from large, sub-Plinian to Plinian eruptions. Our combined approach allows us to define the spatial and temporal evolution of audible jet noise from supersonic jets in small-scale volcanic eruptions.

Non-focusing active warhead

DOEpatents

Hornig, H.C.

1998-12-22

A non-nuclear, non-focusing, active warhead that comprises a high explosive charge contained within a casing of reactive metal is disclosed. When the high explosive is detonated, the reactive metal is dispersed and reacts with the air, which significantly increases the explosive yield of the warhead. The active warhead produces therefore much higher blast effects with significantly reduced weight compared to conventional munitions. The warhead is highly effective against such targets as aircraft which typically have thin fuselages, for example. The explosiveness of this warhead can be enhanced further by elevating the temperature and therefore the reactivity of the reactive metal before or during the explosion. New methods of enhancing the reactivity of the metal are also taught. 4 figs.

Non-focusing active warhead

DOEpatents

Hornig, Howard C.

1998-01-01

A non-nuclear, non-focusing, active warhead that comprises a high explosive charge contained within a casing of reactive metal. When the high explosive is detonated, the reactive metal is dispersed and reacts with the air, which significantly increases the explosive yield of the warhead. The active warhead produces therefore much higher blast effects with significantly reduced weight compared to conventional munitions. The warhead is highly effective against such targets as aircraft which typically have thin fuselages, for example. The explosiveness of this warhead can be enhanced further by elevating the temperature and therefore the reactivity of the reactive metal before or during the explosion. New methods of enhancing the reactivity of the metal are also taught.

Morphological and structural changes at the Merapi lava dome monitored in 2012-15 using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darmawan, Herlan; Walter, Thomas R.; Brotopuspito, Kirbani Sri; Subandriyo; I Gusti Made Agung Nandaka

2018-01-01

Dome-building volcanoes undergo rapid and profound topographic changes that are important to quantify for the purposes of hazard assessment. However, as hazardous lava domes often develop on high-altitude volcanoes that exhibit steep-sided topography, it is challenging to obtain direct field access and thus to analyze these morphological and structural changes. Merapi Volcano in Indonesia is a type example of such a volcano, as soon after its 2010 eruption, a new lava dome developed. This dome was partially destroyed during six distinct steam-driven explosions that occurred between 2012 and 2014. Here, we investigate the topographic and structural changes associated with these six steam-driven explosions by comparing close-range photogrammetric data obtained before and after these explosions. To accomplish this, we performed two UAV campaigns in 2012 and 2015. By applying the Structure from Motion (SfM) technique, we are able to construct three-dimensional point clouds, assess their quality by comparing them to a terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) dataset, and generate high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and photomosaics. The comparison of these two DEMs and photomosaics reveals changes in topography and the appearance of fractures. In the 2012 dataset, we find a dense fracture network striking to the NNW-SSE. In the post-eruptive 2015 dataset, we see that this NNW-SSE fracture trend is much more strongly expressed; we also detect the formation of aligned and elongated explosion craters, which are associated with the removal of over 200,000 m3 of dome material, most of which ( 70%) was deposited outside the crater region. Therefore, this study suggests that the locations of the steam-driven explosions at Merapi Volcano were controlled by the reactivation of preexisting structures. Moreover, some of the newly developed and reactivated fractures delineate a block on the southern slope of the dome, which could become structurally unstable and potentially lead to rock avalanche hazards. This study therefore demonstrates the significance of characterizing structural fingerprints during the development of lava domes and exemplifies the value of topographic and fracture mapping, which is becoming increasingly feasible when using UAVs, even on high and steep stratovolcanoes. Fig. S2. The density of TLS point cloud dataset.

High-explosive driven crowbar switch

DOEpatents

Dike, Robert S.; Kewish, Jr., Ralph W.

1976-01-13

The disclosure relates to a compact explosive driven switch for use as a low resistance, low inductance crowbar switch. A high-explosive charge extrudes a deformable conductive metallic plate through a polyethylene insulating layer to achieve a hard current contact with a supportive annular conductor.

Characteristics of the electrical explosion of fine metallic wires in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kun; Shi, Zongqian; Shi, Yuanjie; Zhao, Zhigang

2017-09-01

The experimental investigations on the electrical explosion of aluminum, silver, tungsten and platinum wires are carried out. The dependence of the parameters related to the specific energy deposition on the primary material properties is investigated. The polyimide coatings are applied to enhance the energy deposition for the exploding wires with percent of vaporized energy less than unit. The characteristics of the exploding wires of different materials with and without insulating coatings are studied. The effect of wire length on the percent of vaporization energy for exploding coated wires is presented. A laser probe is employed to construct the shadowgraphy, schlieren and interferometry diagnostics. The optical diagnostics demonstrate the morphology of the exploding products and structure of the energy deposition. The influence of insulating coatings on different wire materials is analyzed. The expansion trajectories of the exploding wires without and with insulating coatings are estimated from the shadowgram. More specific energy is deposited into the coated wires of shorter wire length, leading to faster expanding velocity of the high-density products.

Method for fabricating non-detonable explosive simulants

DOEpatents

Simpson, R.L.; Pruneda, C.O.

1995-05-09

A simulator is disclosed which is chemically equivalent to an explosive, but is not detonable. The simulator has particular use in the training of explosives detecting dogs and calibrating sensitive analytical instruments. The explosive simulants may be fabricated by different techniques, a first involves the use of standard slurry coatings to produce a material with a very high binder to explosive ratio without masking the explosive vapor, and the second involves coating inert beads with thin layers of explosive molecules. 5 figs.

Characterization of plasma sprayed and explosively consolidated simulated lunar soil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Powell, S.J.; Inal, O.T.; Smith, M.F.

1997-06-01

Two methods for the use of lunar materials for the construction of shelters on the Moon are being proposed: explosive consolidation of the soil into structural components and plasma spraying of the soil to join components. The plasma-sprayed coating would also provide protection from the intense radiation. In this work, a mare simulant was plasma-sprayed onto a stainless steel substrate. Deposition of a 0.020 inch coating using power inputs of 23, 25, 27 and 29 kW were compared. Hardness of the coatings increased with each increase of power to the system, while porosity at the interface decreased. All coatings exhibitedmore » good adhesion. Simultaneously, an explosively consolidated sample was similarly characterized to afford a comparison of structural features associated with each mode of proposed use.« less

Fabrication and testing of a standoff trace explosives detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waterbury, Robert; Rose, Jeremy; Vunck, Darius; Blank, Thomas; Pohl, Ken; Ford, Alan; McVay, Troy; Dottery, Ed

2011-05-01

In order to stop the transportation of materials used for IED manufacture, a standoff checkpoint explosives detection system (CPEDS) has recently been fabricated. The system incorporates multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) modalities with a LIBS enhancement technique called TEPS to be added later into a single unit for trace detection of explosives at military checkpoints. Newly developed spectrometers and other required sensors all integrated with a custom graphical user interface for producing simplified, real-time detection results are also included in the system. All equipment is housed in a military ruggedized shelter for potential deployment intheater for signature collection. Laboratory and performance data, as well as the construction of the CPEDS system and its potential deployment capabilities, will be presented in the current work.

Controlled Detonation Dynamics in Additively Manufactured High Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmalzer, Andrew; Tappan, Bryce; Bowden, Patrick; Manner, Virginia; Clements, Brad; Menikoff, Ralph; Ionita, Axinte; Branch, Brittany; Dattelbaum, Dana; Espy, Michelle; Patterson, Brian; Wu, Ruilian; Mueller, Alexander

2017-06-01

The effect of structure in explosives has long been a subject of interest to explosives engineers and scientists. Through structure, detonation dynamics in explosives can be manipulated, introducing a new level of safety and directed performance into these previously difficult to control materials. New advances in additive manufacturing (AM) allow the deliberate introduction of exact internal structures at dimensions approaching the mesoscale of these energetic materials. We show through simulation and experiment that this structure can be used to control detonation behavior by manipulating complex shockwave interactions. We use high-speed video and shorting mag-wires to determine the detonation velocity in AM generated explosive structures, demonstrating, for the first time, a method of controlling the directional propagation of reactive flow through the controlled introduction of structure within a high explosive. With ongoing improvement in the AM methods available coupled with guidance through modeling and simulations, more complex interactions are being explored. LANL LDRD Office.

Investigation Of Vapor Explosion Mechanisms Using High Speed Photography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, Donn R.; Anderson, Richard P.

1983-03-01

The vapor explosion, a physical interaction between hot and cold liquids that causes the explosive vaporization of the cold liquid, is a hazard of concern in such diverse industries as metal smelting and casting, paper manufacture, and nuclear power generation. Intensive work on this problem worldwide, for the past 25 years has generated a number of theories and mechanisms proposed to explain vapor explosions. High speed photography has been the major instrument used to test the validity of the theories and to provide the observations that have lead to new theories. Examples are given of experimental techniques that have been used to investigate vapor explosions. Detailed studies of specific mechanisms have included microsecond flash photograph of contact boiling and high speed cinematography of shock driven breakup of liquid drops. Other studies looked at the explosivity of various liquid pairs using cinematography inside a pulsed nuclear reactor and x-ray cinematography of a thermite-sodium interaction.

Experimental model of the role of cracks in the mechanism of explosive eruption of St. Helens-80

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kedrinskii, V. K.; Skulkin, A. A.

2017-07-01

A unique mini model of explosive volcano eruption through a formed system of cracks is developed. The process of crack formation and development is simulated by electric explosion of a conductor in a plate of optically transparent organic glass submerged into water. The explosion of a wire aligned with a through hole in the plate generates shock-wave loading along the plate and forms cracks. The fundamental role of high velocity flow in crack wedging by a high power hydrodynamic flow of a pulsating explosion cavity has been demonstrated.

Type Ia Supernova Explosions from Hybrid Carbon-Oxygen-Neon White Dwarf Progenitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willcox, Donald E.; Townsley, Dean M.; Calder, Alan C.; Denissenkov, Pavel A.; Herwig, Falk

2016-11-01

Motivated by recent results in stellar evolution that predict the existence of hybrid white dwarf (WD) stars with a C-O core inside an O-Ne shell, we simulate thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernovae from these hybrid progenitors. We use the FLASH code to perform multidimensional simulations in the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) explosion paradigm. Our hybrid progenitor models were produced with the MESA stellar evolution code and include the effects of the Urca process, and we map the progenitor model to the FLASH grid. We performed a suite of DDT simulations over a range of ignition conditions consistent with the progenitor’s thermal and convective structure assuming multiple ignition points. To compare the results from these hybrid WD stars to previous results from C-O WDs, we construct a set of C-O WD models with similar properties and similarly simulate a suite of explosions. We find that despite significant variability within each suite, trends distinguishing the explosions are apparent in their {}56{Ni} yields and the kinetic properties of the ejecta. We compare our results with other recent work that studies explosions from these hybrid progenitors.

Construction of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Facility Moody Air Force Base, Georgia Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

rodents and songbirds such as the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottis), northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), mourning dove (Zenaida... killed during construction activities. Additionally, the proposed action would result in the permanent destruction of less than one acre of wildlife...species likely to be displaced or killed are common, abundant species in the area. Additional short-term minor impacts to wildlife, including

Intermittent explosive disorder in South Africa: prevalence, correlates and the role of traumatic exposures.

PubMed

Fincham, Dylan; Grimsrud, Anna; Corrigall, Joanne; Williams, David R; Seedat, Soraya; Stein, Dan J; Myer, Landon

2009-01-01

The epidemiology of DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is not well characterized in developing country settings. In South Africa, given the high rates of violence and trauma, there is particular interest in traumatic exposures as potential risk factors for IED. We examined the prevalence and predictors of IED in a nationally representative sample of 4,351 South African adults. IED and other diagnoses based on DSM-IV criteria were assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). A 28-item scale was constructed to measure exposure to traumatic events. Overall, 2.0% of participants (95% CI: 0-4.9%) fulfilled criteria for the narrow definition of IED, and 9.5% (95% CI: 6.6-12.3%) fulfilled criteria for the broad definition of IED. Individuals with IED experienced high rates of comorbid anxiety, mood and substance use disorders compared to non-IED participants. In multivariate analysis, a diagnosis of IED was associated with Caucasian and mixed-race ethnicity, psychiatric comorbidity and exposure to multiple traumatic events. These data suggest a relatively high prevalence of IED in South Africa. By reducing violence and trauma, and by providing appropriate psychological support to trauma survivors, we may be able to reduce rates of IED. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder in South Africa: Prevalence, Correlates, and the Role of Traumatic Exposures

PubMed Central

Fincham, D.; Grimsrud, A.; Corrigall, J.; Williams, D.; Seedat, S.; Stein, D.J.; Myer, L.

2011-01-01

Background The epidemiology of DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is not well characterized in developing country settings. In South Africa, given the high rates of violence and trauma, there is particular interest in traumatic exposures as potential risk factors for IED. Methods We examined the prevalence and predictors of IED in a nationally representative sample of 4351 South African adults. IED and other diagnoses based on DSM-IV criteria were assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). A 28 item scale was constructed to measure exposure to traumatic events. Results Overall, 2.0% of participants (95% CI: 0–4.9%) fulfilled criteria for the narrow definition of IED and 9.5% (95% CI: 6.6–12.3%) fulfilled criteria for the broad definition of IED. Individuals with IED experienced high rates of comorbid anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders compared to non-IED participants. In multivariate analysis, a diagnosis of IED was associated with Caucasian and mixed-race ethnicity, psychiatric comorbidity and exposure to multiple traumatic events. Conclusion These data suggest a relatively high prevalence of IED in South Africa. By reducing violence and trauma, and by providing appropriate psychological support to trauma survivors, we may be able to reduce rates of IED. PMID:19225243

Description of the NIF Laser

DOE PAGES

Spaeth, M. L.; Manes, K. R.; Kalantar, D. H.; ...

2017-03-23

The possibility of imploding small capsules to produce mini-fusion explosions was explored soon after the first thermonuclear explosions in the early 1950s. Various technologies have been pursued to achieve the focused power and energy required for laboratory-scale fusion. Each technology has its own challenges. For example, electron and ion beams can deliver the large amounts of energy but must contend with Coulomb repulsion forces that make focusing these beams a daunting challenge. The demonstration of the first laser in 1960 provided a new option. Energy from laser beams can be focused and deposited within a small volume; the challenge becamemore » whether a practical laser system can be constructed that delivers the power and energy required while meeting all other demands for achieving a high-density, symmetric implosion. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the laser designed and built to meet the challenges for study of high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. This study describes the architecture, systems, and subsystems of NIF. Finally, it describes how they partner with each other to meet these new, complex demands and describes how laser science and technology were woven together to bring NIF into reality.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Spaeth, M. L.; Manes, K. R.; Kalantar, D. H.

The possibility of imploding small capsules to produce mini-fusion explosions was explored soon after the first thermonuclear explosions in the early 1950s. Various technologies have been pursued to achieve the focused power and energy required for laboratory-scale fusion. Each technology has its own challenges. For example, electron and ion beams can deliver the large amounts of energy but must contend with Coulomb repulsion forces that make focusing these beams a daunting challenge. The demonstration of the first laser in 1960 provided a new option. Energy from laser beams can be focused and deposited within a small volume; the challenge becamemore » whether a practical laser system can be constructed that delivers the power and energy required while meeting all other demands for achieving a high-density, symmetric implosion. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the laser designed and built to meet the challenges for study of high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. This study describes the architecture, systems, and subsystems of NIF. Finally, it describes how they partner with each other to meet these new, complex demands and describes how laser science and technology were woven together to bring NIF into reality.« less

Relationship between pressure and reaction violence in thermal explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smilowitz, L.; Henson, B. F.; Rodriguez, G.; Remelius, D.; Baca, E.; Oschwald, D.; Suvorova, N.

2017-01-01

Reaction violence of a thermal explosion is determined by the energy release rate of the explosive and the coupling of that energy to the case and surroundings. For the HMX and TATB based secondary high explosives studied, we have observed that temperature controls the time to explosion and pressure controls the final energy release rate subsequent to ignition. Pressure measurements in the thermal explosion regime have been notoriously difficult to make due to the extreme rise in temperature which is also occurring during a thermal explosion. We have utilized several different pressure measurement techniques for several different secondary high explosives. These techniques include commercially available piezoelectric and piezoresistive sensors which we have utilized in the low pressure (sub 30 MPa) range of PBX 9502 thermal explosions, and fiber Bragg grating sensors for the higher pressure range (up to GPa) for PBX9501 experiments. In this talk, we will compare the measurement techniques and discuss the pressures measured for the different formulations studied. Simultaneous x-ray radiography measurements of burn velocity will also be shown and correlations between pressure, burn velocity, and reaction violence will be discussed.

Behavioural and Genetic Evidence for C. elegans' Ability to Detect Volatile Chemicals Associated with Explosives

PubMed Central

Liao, Chunyan; Gock, Andrew; Michie, Michelle; Morton, Bethany; Anderson, Alisha; Trowell, Stephen

2010-01-01

Background Automated standoff detection and classification of explosives based on their characteristic vapours would be highly desirable. Biologically derived odorant receptors have potential as the explosive recognition element in novel biosensors. Caenorhabditis elegans' genome contains over 1,000 uncharacterised candidate chemosensory receptors. It was not known whether any of these respond to volatile chemicals derived from or associated with explosives. Methodology/Principal Findings We assayed C. elegans for chemotactic responses to chemical vapours of explosives and compounds associated with explosives. C. elegans failed to respond to many of the explosive materials themselves but showed strong chemotaxis with a number of compounds associated with commercial or homemade explosives. Genetic mutant strains were used to identify the likely neuronal location of a putative receptor responding to cyclohexanone, which is a contaminant of some compounded explosives, and to identify the specific transduction pathway involved. Upper limits on the sensitivity of the nematode were calculated. A sensory adaptation protocol was used to estimate the receptive range of the receptor. Conclusions/Significance: The results suggest that C. elegans may be a convenient source of highly sensitive, narrowly tuned receptors to detect a range of explosive-associated volatiles. PMID:20830309

Predicting High Explosive Detonation Velocities from Their Composition and Structure

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

for a gamut of ideal explosives. The explosives ranged from nitroaromatics, cyclic and linear nitramines, nitrate esters and nitro-nitrato...structure is postulated for a gamut of explosives. Since detonation velocity, DQ, is density dependent, the linear regression plot. Figure 1, of the

High-sensitivity explosives detection using dual-excitation-wavelength resonance-Raman detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yellampalle, Balakishore; McCormick, William B.; Wu, Hai-Shan; Sluch, Mikhail; Martin, Robert; Ice, Robert V.; Lemoff, Brian

2014-05-01

A key challenge for standoff explosive sensors is to distinguish explosives, with high confidence, from a myriad of unknown background materials that may have interfering spectral peaks. To meet this challenge a sensor needs to exhibit high specificity and high sensitivity in detection at low signal-to-noise ratio levels. We had proposed a Dual-Excitation- Wavelength Resonance-Raman Detector (DEWRRED) to address this need. In our previous work, we discussed various components designed at WVHTCF for a DEWRRED sensor. In this work, we show a completely assembled laboratory prototype of a DEWRRED sensor and utilize it to detect explosives from two standoff distances. The sensor system includes two novel, compact CW deep-Ultraviolet (DUV) lasers, a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, and a highly-sensitive detection algorithm. We choose DUV excitation because Raman intensities from explosive traces are enhanced and fluorescence and solar background are not present. The DEWRRED technique exploits the excitation wavelength dependence of Raman signal strength, arising from complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth. We show measurements from >10 explosives/pre-cursor materials at different standoff distances. The sensor showed high sensitivity in explosive detection even when the signalto- noise ratio was close to one (~1.6). We measured receiver-operating-characteristics, which show a clear benefit in using the dual-excitation-wavelength technique as compared to a single-excitation-wavelength technique. Our measurements also show improved specificity using the amplitude variation information in the dual-excitation spectra.

Savannah River Plant engineering, design, and construction history of ``S`` projects and other work, January 1961--December 1964. Volume 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1970-03-01

The work described in this volume of ``S`` Projects History is an extension of the type of work described in Volume I. E.I. du Pont de flemours & Company had entered into Contract AT (07-2)-l with the United States Atomic Energy Commission to develop, design, construct, install, and operate facilities to produce heavy water, fissionable materials, and related products. Under this contract,, Du Pont constructed and operated the Savannah River Plant. The engineering, design, and construction for most of the larger ``S`` projects was performed by the Engineering DeDartment. For some of the large and many of the smaller projectsmore » the Engineering Department was responsible only for the construction because the Atomic Energy Division (AED) of the Explosives Department handled the other phases. The Engineering Department Costruction Division also performed the physical work for many of the plant work orders. This volume includes a general description of the Du Pont Engineering Department activities pertaining to the engineering, design, and construction of the ``S`` projects at the Savannah River Plant; brief summaries of the projects and principal work requests; and supplementary informaticn on a few subjects in Volume I for which final data was not available at the closing date. Projects and other plant engineering work which were handled entirely by the Explosives Department -- AED are not included in this history.« less

Nanomolecular gas sensor architectures based on functionalized carbon nanotubes for vapor detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hines, Deon; Zhang, Henan; Rümmeli, Mark H.; Adebimpe, David; Akins, Daniel L.

2015-05-01

There is enormous interest in detection of simple & complex odors by mean of electronic instrumentation. Specifically, our work focuses on creating derivatized-nanotube-based "electronic noses" for the detection and identification of gases, and other materials. We have grafted single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with an array of electron-donating and electron withdrawing moieties and have characterized some of the physicochemical properties of the modified nanotubes. Gas sensing elements have been fabricated by spin coating the functionalized nanotubes onto interdigitated electrodes (IDE's), creating an array of sensors. Each element in the sensor array can contain a different functionalized matrix. This facilitates the construction of chemical sensor arrays with high selectivity and sensitivity; a methodology that mimics the mammalian olfactory system. Exposure of these coated IDEs to organic vapors and the successful classification of the data obtained under DC monitoring, indicate that the system can function as gas sensors of high repeatability and selectivity for a wide range of common analytes. Since the detection of explosive materials is also of concern in this research, our next phase focuses on explosives such as, TNT, RDX, and Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP). Sensor data from individual detection are assessed on their own individual merits, after which they are amalgamated and reclassified to present each vapor as unique data point on a 2-dimensional map and with minimum loss of information. This approach can assist the nation's need for a technology to defeat IEDs through the use of methods that detect unique chemical signatures associated with explosive molecules and byproducts.

Detection of nitro-based and peroxide-based explosives by fast polarity-switchable ion mobility spectrometer with ion focusing in vicinity of Faraday detector.

PubMed

Zhou, Qinghua; Peng, Liying; Jiang, Dandan; Wang, Xin; Wang, Haiyan; Li, Haiyang

2015-05-29

Ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) has been widely deployed for on-site detection of explosives. The common nitro-based explosives are usually detected by negative IMS while the emerging peroxide-based explosives are better detected by positive IMS. In this study, a fast polarity-switchable IMS was constructed to detect these two explosive species in a single measurement. As the large traditional Faraday detector would cause a trailing reactant ion peak (RIP), a Faraday detector with ion focusing in vicinity was developed by reducing the detector radius to 3.3 mm and increasing the voltage difference between aperture grid and its front guard ring to 591 V, which could remove trailing peaks from RIP without loss of signal intensity. This fast polarity-switchable IMS with ion focusing in vicinity of Faraday detector was employed to detect a mixture of 10 ng 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 50 ng hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) by polarity-switching, and the result suggested that [TNT-H](-) and [HMTD+H](+) could be detected in a single measurement. Furthermore, the removal of trailing peaks from RIP by the Faraday detector with ion focusing in vicinity also promised the accurate identification of KClO4, KNO3 and S in common inorganic explosives, whose product ion peaks were fairly adjacent to RIP.

Increasing the High Voltage Capabilities and Exploring Parameter Space of an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion Neutron Source for the Detection of Chemical Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michalak, Matthew K.

The objectives of the work presented here include understanding key operating principles and providing precise data sets that can be used to test inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion theory and optimize IEC device operation. The underlying physical behavior was separated from superficial trends observed in an IEC device at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). The effects of changing voltage (30-170 kV) and current (30-100 mA) were thoroughly explored, pressure effects (0.15-1.25 mTorr) were mapped, and the effect of impurities in the system was quantified. The most challenging part of this work was designing a high voltage feedthrough that could reliably operate at higher voltages for far longer times than previously attained. A system to detect conventional explosives using fusion neutrons was also designed, constructed, and tested. Precise data sets were created by taking into account and minimizing the effects of short and long term trends in the experiment. Detailed meter current scans were taken that showed a linear relationship of the neutron production rate with current. Cathode voltage scans were slightly greater than linear in the neutron rate from 30 to 170 kV, but the rate increase diminished to near linear as 170 kV was approached. A new high voltage feedthrough was designed that surpassed the performance of past UW IEC lab feedthroughs and shows promise for long duration operation at still higher voltages. Limitations of other equipment in the IEC lab prevented testing the feedthrough to voltages above 175 kV. A more robust construction of the feedthrough and reducing the consequences of a feedthrough failure were also important design criteria that were met. A detector array was made to detect explosives via the 10.8 MeV neutron capture prompt gamma from nitrogen. Signals from four separate detectors were combined to make the individual detectors act similar to one large detector. The detector signals were both summed and combined to compare the performance of the two methods. An overwhelming background radiation signal and insufficient time resolution were two factors that led to the combined signal not performing as well as the summed signal.

Application of high explosion cratering data to planetary problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oberbeck, V. R.

1977-01-01

The present paper deals with the conditions of explosion or nuclear cratering required to simulate impact crater formation. Some planetary problems associated with three different aspects of crater formation are discussed, and solutions based on high-explosion data are proposed. Structures of impact craters and some selected explosion craters formed in layered media are examined and are related to the structure of lunar basins. The mode of ejection of material from impact craters is identified using explosion analogs. The ejection mode is shown to have important implications for the origin of material in crater and basin deposits. Equally important are the populations of secondary craters on lunar and planetary surfaces.

Los Alamos Explosives Performance Key to Stockpile Stewardship

ScienceCinema

Dattelbaum, Dana

2018-02-14

As the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent ages, one essential factor in making sure that the weapons will continue to perform as designed is understanding the fundamental properties of the high explosives that are part of a nuclear weapons system. As nuclear weapons go through life extension programs, some changes may be advantageous, particularly through the addition of what are known as "insensitive" high explosives that are much less likely to accidentally detonate than the already very safe "conventional" high explosives that are used in most weapons. At Los Alamos National Laboratory explosives research includes a wide variety of both large- and small-scale experiments that include small contained detonations, gas and powder gun firings, larger outdoor detonations, large-scale hydrodynamic tests, and at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site, underground sub-critical experiments.

Shock initiated reactions of reactive multi-phase blast explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Dennis; Granier, John; Johnson, Richard; Littrell, Donald

2017-01-01

This paper describes a new class of non-ideal explosive compositions made of perfluoropolyether (PFPE), nanoaluminum, and a micron-size, high mass density, reactive metal. Unlike high explosives, these compositions release energy via a fast self-oxidized combustion wave rather than a true self-sustaining detonation. Their reaction rates are shock dependent and they can be overdriven to change their energy release rate. These compositions are fuel rich and have an extended aerobic energy release phase. The term "reactive multiphase blast" refers to the post-dispersion blast behavior: multiphase in that there are a gas phase that imparts pressure and a solid (particulate) phase that imparts energy and momentum [1]; and reactive in that the hot metal particles react with atmospheric oxygen and the explosive gas products to give an extended pressure pulse. Tantalum-based RMBX formulations were tested in two spherical core-shell configurations - an RMBX shell exploded by a high explosive core, and an RMBX core imploded by a high explosive shell. The fireball and blast characteristics were compared to a C-4 baseline charge.

Understanding ultrafine nanodiamond formation using nanostructured explosives

PubMed Central

Pichot, Vincent; Risse, Benedikt; Schnell, Fabien; Mory, Julien; Spitzer, Denis

2013-01-01

The detonation process is able to build new materials with a bottom-up approach. Diamond, the hardest material on earth, can be synthesized in this way. This unconventional synthesis route is possible due to the presence of carbon inside the high-explosive molecules: firing high-explosive mixtures with a negative oxygen balance in a non-oxidative environment leads to the formation of nanodiamond particles. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexogen (RDX) are the explosives primarily used to synthesize nanodiamonds. Here we show that the use of nanostructured explosive charges leads to the formation of smaller detonation nanodiamonds, and it also provides new understanding of nanodiamond formation-mechanisms. The discontinuity of the explosive at the nanoscale level plays the key role in modifying the diamond particle size, and therefore varying the size with microstructured charges is impossible. PMID:23831716

Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence Measurements of High Explosives

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Caggiano, Joseph A.; Warren, Glen A.; Korbly, Steve

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Passport Systems have collaborated to perform Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence experiments using several high quality high-explosive simulant samples. These measurements were conducted to determine the feasibility of finding and characterizing high explosive material by NRF interrogation. Electron beams of 5.1, 5.3, 8, and 10 MeV were used to produce bremsstrahlung photon beams, which irradiated the samples. The gamma-ray spectra were collected using high-purity germanium detectors. Nitrogen-to-carbon ratios of the high-explosive simulants were extracted from the 5.1 and 5.3 MeV data and compare favorably with accepted values. Analysis of the 8 and 10 MeV data is inmore » progress; preliminary isotopic comparisons within the samples are consistent with the expected results.« less

A mesoscopic reaction rate model for shock initiation of multi-component PBX explosives.

PubMed

Liu, Y R; Duan, Z P; Zhang, Z Y; Ou, Z C; Huang, F L

2016-11-05

The primary goal of this research is to develop a three-term mesoscopic reaction rate model that consists of a hot-spot ignition, a low-pressure slow burning and a high-pressure fast reaction terms for shock initiation of multi-component Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBX). Thereinto, based on the DZK hot-spot model for a single-component PBX explosive, the hot-spot ignition term as well as its reaction rate is obtained through a "mixing rule" of the explosive components; new expressions for both the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure fast reaction term are also obtained by establishing the relationships between the reaction rate of the multi-component PBX explosive and that of its explosive components, based on the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure fast reaction term of a mesoscopic reaction rate model. Furthermore, for verification, the new reaction rate model is incorporated into the DYNA2D code to simulate numerically the shock initiation process of the PBXC03 and the PBXC10 multi-component PBX explosives, and the numerical results of the pressure histories at different Lagrange locations in explosive are found to be in good agreements with previous experimental data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Organic nanofibrils based on linear carbazole trimer for explosive sensing.

PubMed

Zhang, Chengyi; Che, Yanke; Yang, Xiaomei; Bunes, Benjamin R; Zang, Ling

2010-08-14

Organic fluorescent nanofibrils were fabricated from a linear carbazole trimer and employed for expedient detection of nitroaromatic explosives (DNT and TNT) and highly volatile nitroaliphatic explosives (nitromethane).

Resource recycling technique of abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Siyang; Ding, Yukui

2017-08-01

TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive is a kind of high energy mixed explosive. It has the detonation characteristics even when reaching the scrapping standard. Inappropriate disposal often causes serious accident. Employing the resource recycling technique, the abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive can be recycled. This paper summarized the progress of recycling of abandoned mixed explosive. What's more, three kinds of technological process of resource recycling abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosives are introduced. The author analysis of the current recovery processes and provided a reference for the recycling of the other same type explosive.

Dispensing Pollen via Catapult: Explosive Pollen Release in Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia).

PubMed

Switzer, Callin M; Combes, Stacey A; Hopkins, Robin

2018-06-01

The astonishing amount of floral diversity has inspired countless assumptions about the function of diverse forms and their adaptive significance, yet many of these hypothesized functions are untested. We investigated an often-repeated adaptive hypothesis about how an extreme floral form functions. In this study, we conducted four investigations to understand the adaptive function of explosive pollination in Kalmia latifolia, the mountain laurel. We first performed a kinematic analysis of anther movement. Second, we constructed a heat map of pollen trajectories in three-dimensional space. Third, we conducted field observations of pollinators and their behaviors while visiting K. latifolia. Finally, we conducted a pollination experiment to investigate the importance of pollinators for fertilization success. Our results suggest that insect visitation dramatically improves fertilization success and that bees are the primary pollinators that trigger explosive pollen release.

Multilateral haptics-based immersive teleoperation for improvised explosive device disposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, David; Lacheray, Hervé; Daly, John

2013-05-01

Of great interest to police and military organizations is the development of effective improvised explosive device (IED) disposal (IEDD) technology to aid in activities such as mine field clearing, and bomb disposal. At the same time minimizing risk to personnel. This paper presents new results in the research and development of a next generation mobile immersive teleoperated explosive ordnance disposal system. This system incorporates elements of 3D vision, multilateral teleoperation for high transparency haptic feedback, immersive augmented reality operator control interfaces, and a realistic hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) 3D simulation environment incorporating vehicle and manipulator dynamics for both operator training and algorithm development. In the past year, new algorithms have been developed to facilitate incorporating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) robotic hardware into the teleoperation system. In particular, a real-time numerical inverse position kinematics algorithm that can be applied to a wide range of manipulators has been implemented, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attitude stabilization system for manipulators has been developed and experimentally validated, and a voice­operated manipulator control system has been developed and integrated into the operator control station. The integration of these components into a vehicle simulation environment with half-car vehicle dynamics has also been successfully carried out. A physical half-car plant is currently being constructed for HIL integration with the simulation environment.

A general framework for numerical simulation of improvised explosive device (IED)-detection scenarios using density functional theory (DFT) and terahertz (THz) spectra.

PubMed

Shabaev, Andrew; Lambrakos, Samuel G; Bernstein, Noam; Jacobs, Verne L; Finkenstadt, Daniel

2011-04-01

We have developed a general framework for numerical simulation of various types of scenarios that can occur for the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through the use of excitation using incident electromagnetic waves. A central component model of this framework is an S-matrix representation of a multilayered composite material system. Each layer of the system is characterized by an average thickness and an effective electric permittivity function. The outputs of this component are the reflectivity and the transmissivity as functions of frequency and angle of the incident electromagnetic wave. The input of the component is a parameterized analytic-function representation of the electric permittivity as a function of frequency, which is provided by another component model of the framework. The permittivity function is constructed by fitting response spectra calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and parameter adjustment according to any additional information that may be available, e.g., experimentally measured spectra or theory-based assumptions concerning spectral features. A prototype simulation is described that considers response characteristics for THz excitation of the high explosive β-HMX. This prototype simulation includes a description of a procedure for calculating response spectra using DFT as input to the Smatrix model. For this purpose, the DFT software NRLMOL was adopted. © 2011 Society for Applied Spectroscopy

Thermal explosion violence of HMX-based explosives -- effect of composition, confinement and phase transition using the scaled thermal explosion experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maienschein, J L; Wardell, J F; Reaugh, J E

We developed the Scaled Thermal Explosion Experiment (STEX) to provide a database of reaction violence from thermal explosion of explosives of interest. A cylinder of explosive, 1, 2 or 4 inches in diameter, is confined in a steel cylinder with heavy end caps, and heated under controlled conditions until it explodes. Reaction violence is quantified by micropower radar measurement of the cylinder wall velocity, and by strain gauge data at reaction onset. Here we describe the test concept and design, show that the conditions are well understood, and present initial data with HMX-based explosives. The HMX results show that anmore » explosive with high binder content yields less-violent reactions that an explosive with low binder content, and that the HMX phase at the time of explosion plays a key role in reaction violence.« less

Explosion hazards of LPG-air mixtures in vented enclosure with obstacles.

PubMed

Zhang, Qi; Wang, Yaxing; Lian, Zhen

2017-07-15

Numerical simulations were performed to study explosion characteristics of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) explosion in enclosure with a vent. Unlike explosion overpressure and dynamic pressure, explosion temperature of the LPG-air mixture at a given concentration in a vented enclosure has very little variation with obstacle numbers for a given blockage ratio. For an enclosure without obstacle, explosion overpressures for the stoichiometric mixtures and the fuel-lean mixtures reach their maximum within the vent and that for fuel-rich mixture reaches its maximum beyond and near the vent. Dynamic pressures produced by an indoor LPG explosion reach their maximum always beyond the vent no matter obstacles are present or not in the enclosure. A LPG explosion in a vented enclosure with built-in obstacles is strong enough to make the brick and mortar wall with a thickness of 370mm damaged. If there is no obstacle in the enclosure, the lower explosion pressure of several kPa can not break the brick and mortar wall with a thickness of 370mm. For a LPG explosion produced in an enclosure with a vent, main hazards, within the vent, are overpressure and high temperature. However main hazards are dynamic pressure, blast wind, and high temperature beyond the vent. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of different materials subjected to open-air explosions in search of explosive traces by Raman microscopy.

PubMed

Zapata, Félix; García-Ruiz, Carmen

2017-06-01

Post-explosion scenes offer such chaos and destruction that evidence recovery and detection of post-blast residues from the explosive in the surrounding materials is highly challenging and difficult. The suitability of materials to retain explosives residues and their subsequent analysis has been scarcely investigated. Particularly, the use of explosive mixtures containing inorganic oxidizing salts to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a current security concern due to their wide availability and lax control. In this work, a wide variety of materials such as glass, steel, plywood, plastic bag, brick, cardboard or cotton subjected to open-air explosions were examined using confocal Raman microscopy, aiming to detect the inorganic oxidizing salts contained in explosives as black powder, chloratite, dynamite, ammonium nitrate fuel oil and ammonal. Post-blast residues were detected through microscopic examination of materials surfaces. In general, the more homogeneous and smoother the surface was, the less difficulties and better results in terms of identification were obtained. However, those highly irregular surfaces were the most unsuitable collectors for the posterior identification of explosive traces by Raman microscopy. The findings, difficulties and some recommendations related to the identification of post-blast particles in the different materials studied are thoroughly discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the Explosive Internal Impact on the Barriers of Building Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siwiński, Jarosław; Stolarski, Adam

2017-10-01

Work issues concern the safety of construction in relation to the hazards arising from explosion of the explosive charge located inside the building. The algorithms proposed in the paper for determining the parameters of the overpressure wave resulting from the detonation of clustered explosive charges, determine the basis for numerical simulation analyzes. Determination of the maximum value of peak pressure on the wave forehead of an internal explosion is presented on the basis of reflected wave analysis. Changeability in time of the internal explosion action describes the overpressure phase only. The analysis of the load caused by the internal explosive charge detonation was carried out under conditions of the undisturbed standard atmosphere. A load determination algorithm has been developed, taking into account the geometrical characteristics of the building barriers and the rooms as well as the parameters of environment in which the detonation occurs. The way of taking into account the influence of venting surfaces, i.e. windows, doors, ventilation ducts, on the overpressure wave parameters, was presented. Discloses a method to take into account the effect of the surface relief, i.e. windows, doors, air ducts, pressure wave parameters. Modification of the method for explosive overpressure determination presented by Cormie, Smith, Mays (2009), was proposed in the paper. This modification was developed on the basis of substitute impulse analysis for multiple overpressure pulses. In order to take into account the pressure distribution of explosive gases on the barrier surface, the method of modification the relationship for determination the changeability over time and space of the pressure of explosive gases, was presented. For this purpose, the changeability of the pressure wave angles of incidence to the barrier and the distance of the explosive charge to any point on the surface of the barrier, was taken into account. Based on the developed procedure, the overpressure changeability over time was determined for selected measurement points of the reference room. A comparative analysis of the determined loadings with experimental results and theoretical results of other authors, taken from the original work of Weerhiejm et al. (2012), was carried out.

Pattern extraction for high-risk accidents in the construction industry: a data-mining approach.

PubMed

Amiri, Mehran; Ardeshir, Abdollah; Fazel Zarandi, Mohammad Hossein; Soltanaghaei, Elahe

2016-09-01

Accidents involving falls and falling objects (group I) are highly frequent accidents in the construction industry. While being hit by a vehicle, electric shock, collapse in the excavation and fire or explosion accidents (group II) are much less frequent, they make up a considerable proportion of severe accidents. In this study, multiple-correspondence analysis, decision tree, ensembles of decision tree and association rules methods are employed to analyse a database of construction accidents throughout Iran between 2007 and 2011. The findings indicate that in group I, there is a significant correspondence among these variables: time of accident, place of accident, body part affected, final consequence of accident and lost workdays. Moreover, the frequency of accidents in the night shift is less than others, and the frequency of injury to the head, back, spine and limbs are more. In group II, the variables time of accident and body part affected are mostly related and the frequency of accidents among married and older workers is more than single and young workers. There was a higher frequency in the evening, night shifts and weekends. The results of this study are totally in line with the previous research.

30 CFR 77.1301 - Explosives; magazines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... than 6 feet high. (h) Ammonium nitrate-fuel oil blasting agents shall be physically separated from... explosion hazard. (d) Box-type magazines used to store explosives or detonators in work areas shall be...

Thermally stable, plastic-bonded explosives

DOEpatents

Benziger, Theodore M.

1979-01-01

By use of an appropriate thermoplastic rubber as the binder, the thermal stability and thermal stress characteristics of plastic-bonded explosives may be greatly improved. In particular, an HMX-based explosive composition using an oil-extended styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene block copolymer as the binder exhibits high explosive energy and thermal stability and good handling safety and physical properties.

Los Alamos Explosives Performance Key to Stockpile Stewardship

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dattelbaum, Dana

2014-11-03

As the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent ages, one essential factor in making sure that the weapons will continue to perform as designed is understanding the fundamental properties of the high explosives that are part of a nuclear weapons system. As nuclear weapons go through life extension programs, some changes may be advantageous, particularly through the addition of what are known as "insensitive" high explosives that are much less likely to accidentally detonate than the already very safe "conventional" high explosives that are used in most weapons. At Los Alamos National Laboratory explosives research includes a wide variety of both large- andmore » small-scale experiments that include small contained detonations, gas and powder gun firings, larger outdoor detonations, large-scale hydrodynamic tests, and at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site, underground sub-critical experiments.« less

Atomistic Simulations of Chemical Reactivity of TATB Under Thermal and Shock Conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Manaa, M R; Reed, E J; Fried, L E

2009-09-23

The study of chemical transformations that occur at the reactive shock front of energetic materials provides important information for the development of predictive models at the grain-and continuum scales. A major shortcoming of current high explosives models is the lack of chemical kinetics data of the reacting explosive in the high pressure and temperature regimes. In the absence of experimental data, long-time scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with reactive chemistry become a viable recourse to provide an insight into the decomposition mechanism of explosives, and to obtain effective reaction rate laws. These rates can then be incorporated into thermo-chemical-hydro codesmore » (such as Cheetah linked to ALE3D) for accurate description of the grain and macro scales dynamics of reacting explosives. In this talk, I will present quantum simulations of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) crystals under thermal decomposition (high density and temperature) and shock compression conditions. This is the first time that condensed phase quantum methods have been used to study the chemistry of insensitive high explosives. We used the quantum-based, self-consistent charge density functional tight binding method (SCC{_}DFTB) to calculate the interatomic forces for reliable predictions of chemical reactions, and to examine electronic properties at detonation conditions for a relatively long time-scale on the order of several hundreds of picoseconds. For thermal decomposition of TATB, we conducted constant volume-temperature simulations, ranging from 0.35 to 2 nanoseconds, at {rho} = 2.87 g/cm{sup 3} at T = 3500, 3000, 2500, and 1500 K, and {rho} = 2.9 g/cm{sup 3} and 2.72 g/cm{sup 3}, at T = 3000 K. We also simulated crystal TATB's reactivity under steady overdriven shock compression using the multi-scale shock technique. We conducted shock simulations with specified shock speeds of 8, 9, and 10 km/s for up to 0.43 ns duration, enabling us to track the reactivity of TATB well into the formation of several stable gas products, such as H{sub 2}O, N{sub 2}, and CO{sub 2}. Although complex chemical transformations are occurring continuously in the dynamical, high temperature, reactive environment of our simulations, a simple overall scheme for the decomposition of TATB emerges: Water is the earliest decomposition products to form, followed by a polymerization (or condensation) process in which several TATB remaining fragments are joined together, initiating the early step in the formation of high-nitrogen clusters, along with stable products such as N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2}. Remarkably, these clusters with high concentration of carbon and nitrogen (and little oxygen) remain dynamically stable for the remaining period of the simulations. Our simulations, thus, reveal a hitherto unidentified region of high concentrations of nitrogen-rich heterocyclic clusters in reacting TATB, whose persistence impede further reactivity towards final products of fluid N{sub 2} and solid carbon. These simulations also predict significant populations of charged species such as NCO{sup -}, H{sup +}, OH{sup -}, H{sub 3}O{sup +}, and O{sup -2}, the first such observation in a reacting explosive. Finally, A reduced four steps, global reaction mechanism with Arrhenius kinetic rates for the decomposition of TATB, along with comparative Cheetah decomposition kinetics at various temperatures has been constructed and will be discussed.« less

Explosive particle soil surface dispersion model for detonated military munitions.

PubMed

Hathaway, John E; Rishel, Jeremy P; Walsh, Marianne E; Walsh, Michael R; Taylor, Susan

2015-07-01

The accumulation of high explosive mass residue from the detonation of military munitions on training ranges is of environmental concern because of its potential to contaminate the soil, surface water, and groundwater. The US Department of Defense wants to quantify, understand, and remediate high explosive mass residue loadings that might be observed on active firing ranges. Previously, efforts using various sampling methods and techniques have resulted in limited success, due in part to the complicated dispersion pattern of the explosive particle residues upon detonation. In our efforts to simulate particle dispersal for high- and low-order explosions on hypothetical firing ranges, we use experimental particle data from detonations of munitions from a 155-mm howitzer, which are common military munitions. The mass loadings resulting from these simulations provide a previously unattained level of detail to quantify the explosive residue source-term for use in soil and water transport models. In addition, the resulting particle placements can be used to test, validate, and optimize particle sampling methods and statistical models as applied to firing ranges. Although the presented results are for a hypothetical 155-mm howitzer firing range, the method can be used for other munition types once the explosive particle characteristics are known.

Threshold Studies on TNT, Composition B, and C-4 Explosives Using the Steven Impact Test

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vandersall, K S; Switzer, L L; Garcia, F

2005-09-26

Steven Impact Tests were performed at low velocity on the explosives TNT, Comp B, and C-4 in attempts to obtain a threshold for reaction. A 76 mm helium driven gas gun was used to accelerate the Steven Test projectiles up to approximately 200 m/s in attempts to react (ignite) the explosive samples. Blast overpressure gauges, acoustic microphones, standard video and high-speed photography were used to characterize the level of any high explosive reaction violence. No bulk reactions were observed in the TNT, Composition B, or C-4 explosive samples impacted up to velocities in the range of 190-200 m/s. This workmore » will outline the experimental details and discuss the lack of reaction when compared to the reaction thresholds of other common explosives.« less

Identification of Explosives from Porous Materials: Applications Using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

C.J. Miller; G. Elias; N.C. Schmitt

2010-06-01

High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography techniques are well documented and widely used for the detection of trace explosives from organic solvents. These techniques were modified to specifically identify and quantify explosives extracted from various materials taken from people who had recently handled explosives. Documented techniques were modified to specifically detect and quantify RDX, TNT, and PETN from denim, colored flannel, vinyl, and canvas extracted in methanol using no sample cleanup prior to analysis. The methanol extracts were injected directly into several different column types and analyzed by HPLC-UV and/or GC-ECD. This paper describes general screening methods that weremore » used to determine the presence of explosives in unknown samples and techniques that have been optimized for quantification of each explosive from the substrate extracts.« less

High Energy Rate Forming Induced Phase Transition in Austenitic Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovacs, T.; Kuzsella, L.

2017-02-01

In this study, the effects of explosion hardening on the microstructure and the hardness of austenitic stainless steel have been studied. The optimum explosion hardening technology of austenitic stainless steel was researched. In case of the explosive hardening used new idea means indirect hardening setup. Austenitic stainless steels have high plasticity and can be cold formed easily. However, during cold processing the hardening phenomena always occurs. Upon the explosion impact, the deformation mechanism indicates a plastic deformation and this deformation induces a phase transformation (martensite). The explosion hardening enhances the mechanical properties of the material, includes the wear resistance and hardness [1]. In case of indirect hardening as function of the setup parameters specifically the flayer plate position the hardening increased differently. It was find a relationship between the explosion hardening setup and the hardening level.

Electric conductivity of high explosives with carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubtsov, I. A.; Pruuel, E. R.; Ten, K. A.; Kashkarov, A. O.; Kremenko, S. I.

2017-09-01

The paper presents a technique for introducing carbon nanotubes into high explosives (HEs). For a number of explosives (trinitrotoluene, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, benzotrifuroxan), it was possible to achieve the appearance of conductivity by adding a small amount (up to 1% by mass) of single-walled carbon nanotubes TUBALL COATE H2O (CNTs) produced by OCSiAl. Thus it is possible to reduce the sensitivity of explosives to static electricity by adding an insignificant part of conductive nanotubes. This will increase safety of HEs during production and application and will reduce the number of accidents.

A novel method for the measurement of the von Neumann spike in detonating high explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sollier, A.; Bouyer, V.; Hébert, P.; Doucet, M.

2016-06-01

We present detonation wave profiles measured in T2 (97 wt. % TATB) and TX1 (52 wt. % TATB and 45 wt. % HMX) high explosives. The experiments consisted in initiating a detonation wave in a 15 mm diameter cylinder of explosive using an explosive wire detonator and an explosive booster. Free surface velocity wave profiles were measured at the explosive/air interface using a Photon Doppler Velocimetry system. We demonstrate that a comparison of these free surface wave profiles with those measured at explosive/window interfaces in similar conditions allows to bracket the von Neumann spike in a narrow range. For T2, our measurements show that the spike pressure lies between 35.9 and 40.1 GPa, whereas for TX1, it lies between 42.3 and 47.0 GPa. The numerical simulations performed in support to these measurements show that they can be used to calibrate reactive burn models and also to check the accuracy of the detonation products equation of state at low pressure.

TIME-SEQUENCED X-RAY OBSERVATION OF A THERMAL EXPLOSION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tringe, J. W.; Molitoris, J. D.; Kercher, J. R.

The evolution of a thermally-initiated explosion is studied using a multiple-image x-ray system. HMX-based PBX 9501 is used in this work, enabling direct comparison to recently-published data obtained with proton radiography [1]. Multiple x-ray images of the explosion are obtained with image spacing of ten microseconds or more. The explosion is simultaneously characterized with a high-speed camera using an interframe spacing of 11 mus. X-ray and camera images were both initiated passively by signals from an embedded thermocouple array, as opposed to being actively triggered by a laser pulse or other external source. X-ray images show an accelerating reacting frontmore » within the explosive, and also show unreacted explosive at the time the containment vessel bursts. High-speed camera images show debris ejected from the vessel expanding at 800-2100 m/s in the first tens of mus after the container wall failure. The effective center of the initiation volume is about 6 mm from the geometric center of the explosive.« less

Automated detection and cataloging of global explosive volcanism using the International Monitoring System infrasound network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matoza, Robin S.; Green, David N.; Le Pichon, Alexis; Shearer, Peter M.; Fee, David; Mialle, Pierrick; Ceranna, Lars

2017-04-01

We experiment with a new method to search systematically through multiyear data from the International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network to identify explosive volcanic eruption signals originating anywhere on Earth. Detecting, quantifying, and cataloging the global occurrence of explosive volcanism helps toward several goals in Earth sciences and has direct applications in volcanic hazard mitigation. We combine infrasound signal association across multiple stations with source location using a brute-force, grid-search, cross-bearings approach. The algorithm corrects for a background prior rate of coherent unwanted infrasound signals (clutter) in a global grid, without needing to screen array processing detection lists from individual stations prior to association. We develop the algorithm using case studies of explosive eruptions: 2008 Kasatochi, Alaska; 2009 Sarychev Peak, Kurile Islands; and 2010 Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland. We apply the method to global IMS infrasound data from 2005-2010 to construct a preliminary acoustic catalog that emphasizes sustained explosive volcanic activity (long-duration signals or sequences of impulsive transients lasting hours to days). This work represents a step toward the goal of integrating IMS infrasound data products into global volcanic eruption early warning and notification systems. Additionally, a better understanding of volcanic signal detection and location with the IMS helps improve operational event detection, discrimination, and association capabilities.

The effect of explosive percentage on underwater explosion energy release of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane and octogen based aluminized explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, Qingjie; Wang, Qiushi; Nie, Jianxin; Guo, Xueyong; Zhang, Wei; Fan, Wenqi

2018-03-01

To control the explosion energy output by optimizing explosive components is a key requirement in a number of different application areas. The effect of different Al/O Ratio on underwater explosion of aluminized explosives has been studied detailedly. However, the effect of explosive percentage in the same Al/O Ratio is rarely researched, especially for Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) based aluminized explosives. In this study, we performed the underwater explosion experiments with 1.2-kilogram explosives in order to investigate the explosion energy released from CL-20 and Octogen (HMX) based aluminized explosives. The percentage of the explosive varied from 5% to 30% and it is shown that: the shockwave peak pressure (pm) grows gradually; shock wave energy (Es) continues increasing, bubble energy (Eb) increases then decreases peaking at 15% for both formulas, and the total energy (E) and energy release rate (η) peak at 20% for CL-20 and 15% for HMX. This paper outlines the physical mechanism of Eb change under the influence of an aluminium initial reaction temperature and reaction active detonation product percentage coupling. The result shows that CL-20 is superior as a new high explosive and has promising application prospects in the regulation of explosive energy output for underwater explosives.

Explosive laser light initiation of propellants

DOEpatents

Piltch, Martin S.

1993-01-01

A improved initiator for artillery shell using an explosively generated laser light to uniformly initiate the propellent. A small quantity of a high explosive, when detonated, creates a high pressure and temperature, causing the surrounding noble gas to fluoresce. This fluorescence is directed into a lasing material, which lases, and directs laser light into a cavity in the propellant, uniformly initiating the propellant.

Explosive laser light initiation of propellants

DOEpatents

Piltch, M.S.

1993-05-18

A improved initiator for artillery shell using an explosively generated laser light to uniformly initiate the propellent. A small quantity of a high explosive, when detonated, creates a high pressure and temperature, causing the surrounding noble gas to fluoresce. This fluorescence is directed into a lasing material, which lases, and directs laser light into a cavity in the propellant, uniformly initiating the propellant.

Explosion-Induced Implosions of Cylindrical Shell Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, C. M.; Duncan, J. H.

2010-11-01

An experimental study of the explosion-induced implosion of cylindrical shell structures in a high-pressure water environment was performed. The shell structures are filled with air at atmospheric pressure and are placed in a large water-filled pressure vessel. The vessel is then pressurized to various levels P∞=αPc, where Pc is the natural implosion pressure of the model and α is a factor that ranges from 0.1 to 0.9. An explosive is then set off at various standoff distances, d, from the model center line, where d varies from R to 10R and R is the maximum radius of the explosion bubble. High-speed photography (27,000 fps) was used to observe the explosion and resulting shell structure implosion. High-frequency underwater blast sensors recorded dynamic pressure waves at 6 positions. The cylindrical models were made from aluminum (diameter D = 39.1 mm, wall thickness t = 0.89 mm, length L = 240 mm) and brass (D = 16.7 mm, t = 0.36 mm, L=152 mm) tubes. The pressure records are interpreted in light of the high-speed movies. It is found that the implosion is induced by two mechanisms: the shockwave generated by the explosion and the jet formed during the explosion-bubble collapse. Whether an implosion is caused by the shockwave or the jet depends on the maximum bubble diameter and the standoff distance.

Molecular design and property prediction of high density polynitro[3.3.3]-propellane-derivatized frameworks as potential high explosives.

PubMed

Zhang, Qinghua; Zhang, Jiaheng; Qi, Xiujuan; Shreeve, Jean'ne M

2014-11-13

Research in energetic materials is now heavily focused on the design and synthesis of novel insensitive high explosives (IHEs) for specialized applications. As an effective and time-saving tool for screening potential explosive structures, computer simulation has been widely used for the prediction of detonation properties of energetic molecules with relatively high precision. In this work, a series of new polynitrotetraoxopentaaza[3.3.3]-propellane molecules with tricyclic structures were designed. Their properties as potential high explosives including density, heats of formation, detonation properties, impact sensitivity, etc., have been extensively evaluated using volume-based thermodynamic calculations and density functional theory (DFT).These new energetic molecules exhibit high densities of >1.82 g cm(-3), in which 1 gives the highest density of 2.04 g cm(-3). Moreover, most new materials show good detonation properties and acceptable impact sensitivities, in which 5 displays much higher detonation velocity (9482 m s(-1)) and pressure (43.9 GPa) than HMX and has a h50 value of 11 cm. These results are expected to facilitate the experimental synthesis of new-generation nitramine-based high explosives.

Hot-spot contributions in shocked high explosives from mesoscale ignition models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levesque, G.; Vitello, P.; Howard, W. M.

2013-06-01

High explosive performance and sensitivity is strongly related to the mesoscale defect densities. Bracketing the population of mesoscale hot spots that are active in the shocked ignition of explosives is important for the development of predictive reactive flow models. By coupling a multiphysics-capable hydrodynamics code (ale3d) with a chemical kinetics solver (cheetah), we can parametrically analyze different pore sizes undergoing collapse in high pressure shock conditions with evolving physical parameter fields. Implementing first-principles based decomposition kinetics, burning hot spots are monitored, and the regimes of pore sizes that contribute significantly to burnt mass faction and those that survive thermal conduction on the time scales of ignition are elucidated. Comparisons are drawn between the thermal explosion theory and the multiphysics models for the determination of nominal pore sizes that burn significantly during ignition for the explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene.

LX-04 VIOLENCE MEASUREMENTS- STEVEN TESTS IMPACTED BY PROJECTILES SHOT FROM A HOWITZER GUN

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chidester, S K; Vandersall, K S; Switzer, L L

Characterization of the reaction violence of LX-04 explosive (85% HMX and 15% Viton A by weight) was obtained from Steven Impact Tests performed above the reaction initiation threshold. A 155 mm Howitzer propellant driven gas gun was used to accelerate the Steven Test projectiles in the range of approximately 170-300 m/s to react (ignite) the LX-04 explosive. Blast overpressure gauges, acoustic microphones, and high-speed photography characterized the level of high explosive reaction violence. A detonation in this velocity range was not observed and when comparing these results (and the Susan test results) with that of other HMX based explosives, LX-04more » has a more gradual reaction violence slope as the impact velocity increases. The high binder content (15%) of the LX-04 explosive is believed to be the key factor to the lower level of violence.« less

Accuracy and Calibration of High Explosive Thermodynamic Equations of State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, Ernest L.; Capellos, Christos; Stiel, Leonard I.; Pincay, Jack

2010-10-01

The Jones-Wilkins-Lee-Baker (JWLB) equation of state (EOS) was developed to more accurately describe overdriven detonation while maintaining an accurate description of high explosive products expansion work output. The increased mathematical complexity of the JWLB high explosive equations of state provides increased accuracy for practical problems of interest. Increased numbers of parameters are often justified based on improved physics descriptions but can also mean increased calibration complexity. A generalized extent of aluminum reaction Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL)-based EOS was developed in order to more accurately describe the observed behavior of aluminized explosives detonation products expansion. A calibration method was developed to describe the unreacted, partially reacted, and completely reacted explosive using nonlinear optimization. A reasonable calibration of a generalized extent of aluminum reaction JWLB EOS as a function of aluminum reaction fraction has not yet been achieved due to the increased mathematical complexity of the JWLB form.

Detonation equation of state at LLNL, 1995. Revision 3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Souers, P.C.; Wu, B.; Haselman, L.C. Jr.

1996-02-01

JWL`s and 1-D Look-up tables are shown to work for ``one-track`` experiments like cylinder shots and the expanding sphere. They fail for ``many-track`` experiments like the compressed sphere. As long as the one-track experiment has dimensions larger than the explosive`s reaction zone and the explosive is near-ideal, a general JWL with R{sub 1} = 4.5 and R{sub 2} = 1.5 can be constructed, with both {omega} and E{sub o} being calculated from thermochemical codes. These general JWL`s allow comparison between various explosives plus recalculation of the JWL for different densities. The Bigplate experiment complements the cylinder test by providing continuousmore » oblique angles of shock incidence from 0{degrees} to 70{degrees}. Explosive reaction zone lengths are determined from metal plate thicknesses, extrapolated run-to-detonation distances, radius size effects and detonation front curvature. Simple theories of the cylinder test, Bigplate, the cylinder size effect and detonation front curvature are given. The detonation front lag at the cylinder edge is shown to be proportional to the half-power of the reaction zone length. By calibrating for wall blow-out, a full set of reaction zone lengths from PETN to ANFO are obtained. The 1800--2100 K freezing effect is shown to be caused by rapid cooling of the product gases. Compiled comparative data for about 80 explosives is listed. Ten Chapters plus an Appendix.« less

Design of a Simple Blast Pressure Gauge Based on a Heterodyne Velocimetry Measuring Technique

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

deployed in an experiment during which the blast pressure was measured from detonation of 114 g of Primasheet 1000 high explosive. The gauge reported... detonation of high explosive where accelerated projectiles and debris may occur. Many times, overpressures generated by such events can be a nuisance to...as that generated by release of energy from a high-explosive detonation or deflagration, materials such as metals or ceramics may be needed. A

High-Speed Photography of Detonation Propagation in Dynamically Precompressed Liquid Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petel, O. E.; Higgins, A. J.; Yoshinaka, A. C.; Zhang, F.

2007-12-01

The propagation of detonation in shock-compressed nitromethane was observed with a high-speed framing camera. The test explosive, nitromethane, was compressed by a reverberating shock wave to pressures as high as 10 GPa prior to being detonated by a secondary detonation event. The pressure and density in the test explosive prior to detonation were determined using two methods: manganin stress gauge measurements and LS-DYNA simulations. The velocity of the detonation front was determined from consecutive frames and correlated to the density of the reverberating shock-compressed explosive prior to detonation. Observing detonation propagation under these non-ambient conditions provides data which can be useful in the validation of equation of state models.

Underwater sympathetic detonation of pellet explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubota, Shiro; Saburi, Tei; Nagayama, Kunihito

2017-06-01

The underwater sympathetic detonation of pellet explosives was taken by high-speed photography. The diameter and the thickness of the pellet were 20 and 10 mm, respectively. The experimental system consists of the precise electric detonator, two grams of composition C4 booster and three pellets, and these were set in water tank. High-speed video camera, HPV-X made by Shimadzu was used with 10 Mfs. The underwater explosions of the precise electric detonator, the C4 booster and a pellet were also taken by high-speed photography to estimate the propagation processes of the underwater shock waves. Numerical simulation of the underwater sympathetic detonation of the pellet explosives was also carried out and compared with experiment.

Sensitivity of energy-packed compounds based on superfine and nanoporous silicon to pulsed electrical treatments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zegrya, G. G.; Savenkov, G. G.; Morozov, V. A.

2017-04-15

The sensitivity of an energy-packed compound based on nanoporous silicon and calcium perchlorate to a high-current electron beam is studied. The initiation of explosive transformations in a mixture of potassium picrate with a highly dispersed powder of boron-doped silicon by means of a high-voltage discharge is examined. It is shown that explosive transformation modes (combustion and explosion) appear in the energy-packed compound under study upon its treatment with an electron beam. A relationship is established between the explosive transformation modes and the density of the energy-packed compound and between the breakdown (initiation) voltage and the mass fraction of the siliconmore » powder.« less

The classification of explosion-proof protected induction motor into adequate temperature and efficiency class

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brinovar, Iztok; Srpčič, Gregor; Seme, Sebastijan; Štumberger, Bojan; Hadžiselimović, Miralem

2017-07-01

This article deals with the classification of explosion-proof protected induction motors, which are used in hazardous areas, into adequate temperature and efficiency class. Hazardous areas are defined as locations with a potentially explosive atmosphere where explosion may occur due to present of flammable gasses, liquids or combustible dusts (industrial plants, mines, etc.). Electric motors and electrical equipment used in such locations must be specially designed and tested to prevent electrical initiation of explosion due to high surface temperature and arcing contacts. This article presents the basic tests of three-phase explosion-proof protected induction motor with special emphasis on the measuring system and temperature rise test. All the measurements were performed with high-accuracy instrumentation and accessory equipment and carried out at the Institute of energy technology in the Electric machines and drives laboratory and Applied electrical engineering laboratory.

Explosion interaction with water in a tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Homae, T.; Sugiyama, Y.; Wakabayashi, K.; Matsumura, T.; Nakayama, Y.

2017-02-01

As proposed and legislated in Japan, subsurface magazines have an explosive storage chamber, a horizontal passageway, and a vertical shaft for a vent. The authors found that a small amount of water on the floor of the storage chamber mitigated blast pressure remarkably. The mitigation mechanism has been examined more closely. To examine the effect of water, the present study assesses explosions in a transparent, square cross section, and a straight tube. A high-speed camera used to observe the tube interior. Blast pressure in and around the tube was also measured. Images obtained using the high-speed camera revealed that water inside the tube did not move after the explosion. Differences between cases of tubes without water and with water were unclear. Along with blast pressure measurements, these study results suggest that blast pressure mitigation by water occurs because of interaction between the explosion and the water near the explosion point.

Ultrasonic approach to the synthesis of HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with improved mechanical sensitivity.

PubMed

Huang, Bing; Hao, Xiaofei; Zhang, Haobin; Yang, Zhijian; Ma, Zhigang; Li, Hongzhen; Nie, Fude; Huang, Hui

2014-07-01

To improve the safety of sensitive explosive HMX while maintaining explosion performance, a moderately powerful but insensitive explosive TATB was used to coat HMX microparticles via a facile ultrasonic method. By using Estane as surface modifier and nano-sized TATB as the shell layer, the HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with a monodisperse size and compact shell structure were successfully constructed. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the formation of perfect core-shell structured composites. Based on a systematic and comparative study of the effect of experimental conditions, a possible formation mechanism of core-shell structure was proposed in detail. Moreover, the perfect core-shell HMX@TATB microparticles exhibited a unique thermal behavior and significantly improved mechanical sensitivity compared with that of the physical mixture. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structure and explosive performance of a new CL-20/caprolactam cocrystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Changyan; Zhang, Haobin; Wang, Xiaochuan; Xu, Jinjiang; Liu, Yu; Liu, Xiaofeng; Huang, Hui; Sun, Jie

2013-09-01

Co-crystallization is an effective way to improve performance of the high explosive 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20). A new CL-20/caprolactam (CPL) cocrystal has been prepared by a rapid solvent evaporation method, and the crystal structure investigations show that the cocrystal is formed by strong intermolecular hydrogen bond interaction. The cocrystal can only be prepared with low moisture content of the air, because water in the air has a profound effect on the cocrystal formation, and it can lead to crystal form conversion of CL-20, but not the formation of cocrystal. The CL20/CPL explosive possess very low sensitivity, and may be used as additive in explosives formulation to desensitize other high explosives.

Test of the stress sensitization model in adolescents following the pipeline explosion.

PubMed

Shao, Di; Gao, Qing-Ling; Li, Jie; Xue, Jiao-Mei; Guo, Wei; Long, Zhou-Ting; Cao, Feng-Lin

2015-10-01

The stress sensitization model states that early traumatic experiences increase vulnerability to the adverse effects of subsequent stressful life events. This study examined the effect of stress sensitization on development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Chinese adolescents who experienced the pipeline explosion. A total of 670 participants completed self-administered questionnaires on demographic characteristics and degree of explosion exposure, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Associations among the variables were explored using MANOVA, and main effects and interactions were analyzed. Overall MANOVA tests with the PCL-C indicated significant differences for gender (F=6.86, p=.000), emotional abuse (F=6.79, p=.000), and explosion exposure (F=22.40, p=.000). There were significant interactions between emotional abuse and explosion exposure (F=3.98, p=.008) and gender and explosion exposure (F=2.93, p=.033). Being female, childhood emotional abuse, and a high explosion exposure were associated with high PTSD symptom levels. Childhood emotional abuse moderated the effect of explosion exposure on PTSD symptoms. Thus, stress sensitization influenced the development of PTSD symptoms in Chinese adolescents who experienced the pipeline explosion as predicted by the model. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biotransformation of explosives by Reticulitermes flavipes--associated termite Endosymbionts.

PubMed

Indest, Karl J; Eaton, Hillary L; Jung, Carina M; Lounds, Caly B

2014-01-01

Termites have an important role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles despite their reputation as destructive pests. With the assistance of microbial endosymbionts, termites are responsible for the conversion of complex biopolymers into simple carbon substrates. Termites also rely on endosymbionts for fixing and recycling nitrogen. As a result, we hypothesize that termite bacterial endosymbionts are a novel source of metabolic pathways for the transformation of nitrogen-rich compounds like explosives. Explosives transformation capability of termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)-derived endosymbionts was determined in media containing the chemical constituents nitrotriazolone (NTO) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) that comprise new insensitive explosive formulations. Media dosed with 40 µg/ml of explosive was inoculated with surface-sterilized, macerated termites. Bacterial isolates capable of explosives transformation were characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. Termite-derived enrichment cultures demonstrated degradation activity towards the explosives NTO, RDX, as well as the legacy explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Three isolates with high similarity to the Enterobacteriaceae(Enterobacter, Klebsiella) were able to transform TNT and NTO within 2 days, while isolates with high similarity to Serratia marcescens and Lactococcus lactis were able to transform RDX. Termite endosymbionts harbor a range of metabolic activities and possess unique abilities to transform nitrogen-rich explosives. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The role of fission in Supernovae r-process nucleosynthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsuki, Kaori; Kajino, Toshitaka; Sumiyoshi, Kosuke; Ohta, Masahisa; Mathews, J. Grant

2001-10-01

The r-process elements are presumed to be produced in an explosive environment with short timescale at high entropy, like type-II supernova explosion. Intensive flux of free neutrons are absorbed successively by seed elements to form the nuclear reaction flow on extremely unstable nuclei on the neutron rich side. It would probe our knowledge of the properties of nulei far from the beta stability. It is also important in astronomy since this process forms the long-lived nuclear chronometers Thorium and Uranium that are utilised dating the age of the Milky Way. In our previous work, we showed that the succesful r-process nucleosynthesis can occure above young, hot protoneutron star. Although these long-lived heavy elements are produced comparable amounts to observation in several supernova models which we constructed, fission and alpha-decay were not included there. The fission products could play an important role in setting actinide yields which are used as cosmochronometers. In this talk, we report an infulence of fission on actinide yields and on estimate of Galactic age as well. We also discuss fission yields at lighter elements (Z ~ 50).

Explosive Welding in the 1990's

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lalwaney, N. S.; Linse, V. D.

1985-01-01

Explosive bonding is a unique joining process with the serious potential to produce composite materials capable of fulfilling many of the high performance materials capable of fulfilling many of the high performance materials needs of the 1990's. The process has the technological versatility to provide a true high quality metallurgical compatible and incompatible systems. Metals routinely explosively bonded include a wide variety of combinations of reactive and refractory metals, low and high density metals and their alloys, corrosion resistant and high strength alloys, and common steels. The major advantage of the process is its ability to custom design and engineer composites with physical and/or mechanical properties that meet a specific or unusual performance requirement. Explosive bonding offers the designer unique opportunities in materials selection with unique combinations of properties and high integrity bonds that cannot be achieved by any other metal joining process. The process and some applications are discussed.

The eruptive chronology of the Ampato-Sabancaya volcanic complex (Southern Peru)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samaniego, Pablo; Rivera, Marco; Mariño, Jersy; Guillou, Hervé; Liorzou, Céline; Zerathe, Swann; Delgado, Rosmery; Valderrama, Patricio; Scao, Vincent

2016-09-01

We have reconstructed the eruptive chronology of the Ampato-Sabancaya volcanic complex (Southern Peru) on the basis of extensive fieldwork, and a large dataset of geochronological (40K-40Ar, 14C and 3He) and geochemical (major and trace element) data. This volcanic complex is composed of two successive edifices that have experienced discontinuous volcanic activity from Middle Pleistocene to Holocene times. The Ampato compound volcano consists of a basal edifice constructed over at least two cone-building stages dated at 450-400 ka and 230-200 ka. After a period of quiescence, the Ampato Upper edifice was constructed firstly during an effusive stage (80-70 ka), and then by the formation of three successive peaks: the Northern, Southern (40-20 ka) and Central cones (20-10 ka). The Southern peak, which is the biggest, experienced large explosive phases, resulting in deposits such as the Corinta plinian fallout. During the Holocene, eruptive activity migrated to the NE and constructed the mostly effusive Sabancaya edifice. This cone comprised many andesitic and dacitic blocky lava flows and a young terminal cone, mostly composed of pyroclastic material. Most samples from the Ampato-Sabancaya define a broad high-K magmatic trend composed of andesites and dacites with a mineral assemblage of plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, ortho- and clino-pyroxene, and Fe-Ti oxides. A secondary trend also exists, corresponding to rare dacitic explosive eruptions (i.e. Corinta fallout and flow deposits). Both magmatic trends are derived by fractional crystallisation involving an amphibole-rich cumulate with variable amounts of upper crustal assimilation. A marked change in the overall eruptive rate has been identified between Ampato ( 0.1 km3/ka) and Sabancaya (0.6-1.7 km3/ka). This abrupt change demonstrates that eruptive rates have not been homogeneous throughout the volcano's history. Based on tephrochronologic studies, the Late Holocene Sabancaya activity is characterised by strong vulcanian events, although its erupted volume remained low and only produced a local impact through ash fallout. We have identified at least 6 eruptions during the last 4-5 ka, including the historical AD 1750-1784 and 1987-1998 events. On the basis of this recurrent low-to-moderate explosive activity, Sabancaya must be considered active and a potentially threatening volcano.

Are amino groups advantageous to insensitive high explosives (IHEs)?

PubMed

Cao, Xia; Wen, Yushi; Xiang, Bin; Long, Xinping; Zhang, Chaoyang

2012-10-01

There is usually a contradiction between increasing energy densities and reducing sensitivities of explosives. The explosives with both high energy densities and low sensitivities, or the so-called insensitive high explosives (IHEs), are desirable in most cases. It seems from applied explosives that amino groups are advantageous to IHE but the amount of amino groups contained IHEs is very limited. To make this clear, we present systemic examinations of the effects on the two properties stressed in IHEs after introducing amino groups to different molecular skeletons. As a result, the amino groups on resonant sites to nitro groups in conjugated systems can improve distinctly sensitivities and change energy densities in terms of oxygen balance; while the amino groups in unconjugated systems can hardly increase energy densities and usually cause increased sensitivities. It agrees well with a fact that almost all the molecules of applied amino group contained explosives possess conjugated skeletons. We therefore confirm that if amino groups are introduced resonantly to a nitro group in a conjugated system and the introduction improves OB, they are advantageous to IHEs.

Remote detection of buried explosives by fluorescent and bioluminescent microbial sensors (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belkin, Shimshon; Yagur-Kroll, Sharon; Zohar, Cheinat; Rabinovitz, Zahi; Nussinovitch, Amos; Kabessa, Yossi; Agranat, Aharon J.

2017-06-01

Current landmine detection methodologies are not much different in principle from those employed 75 years ago, in that they require actual presence in the minefield, with obvious risks to personnel and equipment. Other limitations include an extremely large ratio of false positives, as well as a very limited ability to detect non-metallic landmines. In this lecture a microbial-based solution for the remote detection of buried landmines described. The small size requirements, rapid responses and sensing versatility of bacterial bioreporters allow their integration into diverse types of devices, for laboratory as well as field applications. The relative ease by which molecular sensing and reporting elements can be fused together to generate dose-dependent quantifiable physical (luminescent, fluorescent, colorimetric, electrochemical) responses to pre-determined conditions allows the construction of diverse classes of sensors. Over the last two decades we and others have employed this principle to design and construct microbial bioreporter strains for the sensitive detection of (a) specific chemicals of environmental concern (heavy metals, halogenated organics etc.) or (b) their deleterious biological effects on living systems (such as toxicity or genotoxicity). In many of these cases, additional molecular manipulations beyond the initial sensor-reporter fusion may be highly beneficial for enhancing the performance of the engineered sensor systems. This presentation highlights several of the approaches we have adopted over the years to achieve this aim, while focusing on the application of live cell microbeads for the remote detection of buried landmines and other explosive devices.

30 CFR 57.4430 - Surface storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....4430 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Fire Prevention... ignition sources to prevent fire or explosion; and (4) Vented or otherwise constructed to prevent...

30 CFR 56.4430 - Storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS-SURFACE METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Fire Prevention and... separated from ignition sources to prevent fire or explosion; and (4) Vented or otherwise constructed to...

High Temperature Perforating System for Geothermal Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smart, Moises E.

The objective of this project is to develop a perforating system consisting of all the explosive components and hardware, capable of reliable performance in high temperatures geothermal wells (>200 ºC). In this light we will focused on engineering development of these components, characterization of the explosive raw powder and developing the internal infrastructure to increase the production of the explosive from laboratory scale to industrial scale.

The High Energy Lightning Simulator (HELS) Test Facility for Testing Explosive Items

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-08-01

Center, Redstone Arsenal, AL Thomas E. Roy and David W. Bagwell AMTEC Corporation, Huntsville, AL ABSTRACT Details of the High Energy Lightning...simulated lightning testing of inerted missiles and inerted explosive items containing electrically initiated explosive trains is to determine the...penetrate the safety cages, which are electrically conductive and grounded, without loss of current. This transmission system consists of six large

Prediction of the explosion effect of aluminized explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qi; Xiang, Cong; Liang, HuiMin

2013-05-01

We present an approach to predict the explosion load for aluminized explosives using a numerical calculation. A code to calculate the species of detonation products of high energy ingredients and those of the secondary reaction of aluminum and the detonation products, velocity of detonation, pressure, temperature and JWL parameters of aluminized explosives has been developed in this study. Through numerical calculations carried out with this code, the predicted JWL parameters for aluminized explosives have been compared with those measured by the cylinder test. The predicted JWL parameters with this code agree with those measured by the cylinder test. Furthermore, the load of explosion for the aluminized explosive was calculated using the numerical simulation by using the JWL equation of state. The loads of explosion for the aluminized explosive obtained using the predicted JWL parameters have been compared with those using the measured JWL parameters. Both of them are almost the same. The numerical results using the predicted JWL parameters show that the explosion air shock wave is the strongest when the mass fraction of aluminum powder in the explosive mixtures is 30%. This result agrees with the empirical data.

Method and apparatus for detecting explosives

DOEpatents

Moore, David Steven [Santa Fe, NM

2011-05-10

A method and apparatus is provided for detecting explosives by thermal imaging. The explosive material is subjected to a high energy wave which can be either a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave which will initiate a chemical reaction in the explosive material which chemical reaction will produce heat. The heat is then sensed by a thermal imaging device which will provide a signal to a computing device which will alert a user of the apparatus to the possibility of an explosive device being present.

Performance comparison of single and dual-excitation-wavelength resonance-Raman explosives detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yellampalle, Balakishore; Martin, Robert; Witt, Kenneth; McCormick, William; Wu, Hai-Shan; Sluch, Mikhail; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian

2017-05-01

Deep-ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy is a very useful approach for standoff detection of explosive traces. Using two simultaneous excitation wavelengths improves the specificity and sensitivity to standoff explosive detection. The High Technology Foundation developed a highly compact prototype of resonance Raman explosives detector. In this work, we discuss the relative performance of a dual-excitation sensor compared to a single-excitation sensor. We present trade space analysis comparing three representative Raman systems with similar size, weight, and power. The analysis takes into account, cost, spectral resolution, detection/identification time and the overall system benefit.

On the Violence of High Explosive Reactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tarver, C M; Chidester, S K

High explosive reactions can be caused by three general energy deposition processes: impact ignition by frictional and/or shear heating; bulk thermal heating; and shock compression. The violence of the subsequent reaction varies from benign slow combustion to catastrophic detonation of the entire charge. The degree of violence depends on many variables, including the rate of energy delivery, the physical and chemical properties of the explosive, and the strength of the confinement surrounding the explosive charge. The current state of experimental and computer modeling research on the violence of impact, thermal, and shock-induced reactions is reviewed.

Two dimensional numerical prediction of deflagration-to-detonation transition in porous energetic materials.

PubMed

Narin, B; Ozyörük, Y; Ulas, A

2014-05-30

This paper describes a two-dimensional code developed for analyzing two-phase deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) phenomenon in granular, energetic, solid, explosive ingredients. The two-dimensional model is constructed in full two-phase, and based on a highly coupled system of partial differential equations involving basic flow conservation equations and some constitutive relations borrowed from some one-dimensional studies that appeared in open literature. The whole system is solved using an optimized high-order accurate, explicit, central-difference scheme with selective-filtering/shock capturing (SF-SC) technique, to augment central-diffencing and prevent excessive dispersion. The sources of the equations describing particle-gas interactions in terms of momentum and energy transfers make the equation system quite stiff, and hence its explicit integration difficult. To ease the difficulties, a time-split approach is used allowing higher time steps. In the paper, the physical model for the sources of the equation system is given for a typical explosive, and several numerical calculations are carried out to assess the developed code. Microscale intergranular and/or intragranular effects including pore collapse, sublimation, pyrolysis, etc. are not taken into account for ignition and growth, and a basic temperature switch is applied in calculations to control ignition in the explosive domain. Results for one-dimensional DDT phenomenon are in good agreement with experimental and computational results available in literature. A typical shaped-charge wave-shaper case study is also performed to test the two-dimensional features of the code and it is observed that results are in good agreement with those of commercial software. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simulation of detonation of ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixture confined by aluminum: edge angles for DSD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Short, Mark; Quirk, James J; Kiyanda, Charles B

2010-01-01

Non-ideal high explosives are typically porous, low-density materials with a low detonation velocity (3--5 km/s) and long detonation reaction zone ({approx} cms). As a result, the interaction of a non-ideal high explosive with an inert confiner can be markedly different than for a conventional high explosive. Issues arise, for example, with light stiff confiners where the confiner can drive the high explosive (HE) through a Prandtl-Meyer fan at the HE/confiner interface rather than the HE driving the confiner. For a non-ideal high explosive confined by a high sound speed inert such that the detonation velocity is lower than the inertmore » sound speed, the flow is subsonic and thus shockless in the confiner. In such cases, the standard detonation shock dynamics methodology, which requires a positive edge-angle be specified at the HE/confiner interface in order that the detonation shape be divergent, cannot be directly utilized. In order to study how detonation shock dynamics can be utilized in such cases, numerical simulations of the detonation of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) confined by aluminum 6061 are conducted.« less

Experimental investigation of Rayleigh Taylor instability in elastic-plastic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haley, Aaron Alan; Banerjee, Arindam

2010-11-01

The interface of an elastic-plastic plate accelerated by a fluid of lower density is Rayleigh Taylor (RT) unstable, the growth being mitigated by the mechanical strength of the plate. The instability is observed when metal plates are accelerated by high explosives, in explosive welding, and in volcanic island formation due to the strength of the inner crust. In contrast to the classical case involving Newtonian fluids, RT instability in accelerated solids is not well understood. The difficulties for constructing a theory for the linear growth phase in solids is essentially due to the character of elastic-plastic constitutive properties which has a nonlinear dependence on the magnitude of the rate of deformation. Experimental investigation of the phenomena is difficult due to the exceedingly small time scales (in high energy density experiments) and large measurement uncertainties of material properties. We performed experiments on our Two-Wheel facility to study the linear stage of the incompressible RT instability in elastic-plastic materials (yogurt) whose properties were well characterized. Rotation of the wheels imparted a constant centrifugal acceleration on the material interface that was cut with a small sinusoidal ripple. The controlled initial conditions and precise acceleration amplitudes are levied to investigate transition from elastic to plastic deformation and allow accurate and detailed measurements of flow properties.

Gamma-resonance Contraband Detection using a high current tandem accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milton, B. F.; Beis, J.; Dale, D.; Debiak, T.; Kamykowski, E.; Melnychuk, S.; Rathke, J.; Rogers, J.; Ruegg, R.; Sredniawski, J.

1999-04-01

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by 14N of gammas produced using 13C(p,γ)14N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non-resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerable confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H- tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.

Time-sequenced X-ray Observation of a Thermal Explosion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tringe, J W; Molitoris, J D; Smilowitz, L

The evolution of a thermally-initiated explosion is studied using a multiple-image x-ray system. HMX-based PBX 9501 is used in this work, enabling direct comparison to recently-published data obtained with proton radiography [1]. Multiple x-ray images of the explosion are obtained with image spacing of ten microseconds or more. The explosion is simultaneously characterized with a high-speed camera using an interframe spacing of 11 {micro}s. X-ray and camera images were both initiated passively by signals from an embedded thermocouple array, as opposed to being actively triggered by a laser pulse or other external source. X-ray images show an accelerating reacting frontmore » within the explosive, and also show unreacted explosive at the time the containment vessel bursts. High-speed camera images show debris ejected from the vessel expanding at 800-2100 m/s in the first tens of {micro}s after the container wall failure. The effective center of the initiation volume is about 6 mm from the geometric center of the explosive.« less

Shock-treated Lunar Soil Simulant: Preliminary Assessment as a Construction Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boslough, Mark B.; Bernold, Leonhard E.; Horie, Yasuyuki

1992-01-01

In an effort to examine the feasibility of applying dynamic compaction techniques to fabricate construction materials from lunar regolith, preliminary explosive shock-loading experiments on lunar soil simulants were carried out. Analysis of our shock-treated samples suggests that binding additives, such as metallic aluminum powder, may provide the necessary characteristics to fabricate a strong and durable building material (lunar adobe) that takes advantage of a cheap base material available in abundance: lunar regolith.

29 CFR 1926.911 - Misfires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 8 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Misfires. 1926.911 Section 1926.911 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION Blasting and the Use of Explosives § 1926.911 Misfires. (a...

29 CFR 1926.911 - Misfires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 8 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Misfires. 1926.911 Section 1926.911 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION Blasting and the Use of Explosives § 1926.911 Misfires. (a...

29 CFR 1926.911 - Misfires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 8 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Misfires. 1926.911 Section 1926.911 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION Blasting and the Use of Explosives § 1926.911 Misfires. (a...

29 CFR 1926.911 - Misfires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 8 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Misfires. 1926.911 Section 1926.911 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION Blasting and the Use of Explosives § 1926.911 Misfires. (a...

29 CFR 1926.911 - Misfires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 8 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Misfires. 1926.911 Section 1926.911 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION Blasting and the Use of Explosives § 1926.911 Misfires. (a...

30 CFR 18.34 - Motors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... PRODUCTS ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES Construction and Design Requirements § 18.34 Motors. Explosion-proof electric motor assemblies intended for use in approved equipment in underground... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Motors. 18.34 Section 18.34 Mineral Resources...

Characterisation of an Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, H. R.; Chapman, D. J.; Vine, T. A.; Proud, W. G.

2009-06-01

Exploding Foil Initiators (EFIs) provide a safe and reliable means of detonation of explosives. They are highly insensitive to mechanical shock and electrical interference, requiring a specific high current pulse for initiation. The use of only insensitive secondary explosives and not more sensitive primary explosives further improves safety. When a high current is passed through the metal bridge, a plasma is formed as the metal can not expand beyond the polymer film layer above. This causes the film to expand forming a bubble or shearing off to form a flyer. These flyers can then be used to initiate secondary explosives. Due to the very high speed at which these systems operate, high speed streak photography was used to characterise the behaviour of the polymer film flyers produced. This paper will report the preliminary findings on the mechanical, electrical and velocity changes seen in some proprietary systems.

[A case of carbon monoxide poisoning by explosion of coal mine presenting as visual agnosia: re-evaluation after 40 years].

PubMed

Takaiwa, Akiko; Yamashita, Kenichiro; Nomura, Takuo; Shida, Kenshiro; Taniwaki, Takayuki

2005-11-01

We re-evaluated a case of carbon monoxide poisoning presenting as visual agnosia who had been injured by explosion of Miike-Mikawa coal mine 40 years ago. In an early stage, his main neuropsychological symptoms were visual agnosia, severe anterograde amnesia, alexia, agraphia, constructional apraxia, left hemispatial neglect and psychic paralysis of gaze, in addition to pyramidal and extra pyramidal signs. At the time of re-evaluation after 40 years, he still showed visual agnosia associated with agraphia and constructional apraxia. Concerning visual agnosia, recognition of the real object was preserved, while recognition of object photographs and picture was impaired. Thus, this case was considered to have picture agnosia as he could not recognize the object by pictorial cues on the second dimensional space. MRI examination revealed low signal intensity lesions and cortical atrophy in the bilateral parieto-occipital lobes on T1-weighted images. Therefore, the bilateral parieto-occipital lesions are likely to be responsible for his picture agnosia.

High-speed multi-frame laser Schlieren for visualization of explosive events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, S. A.; Murphy, M. J.; Landon, C. D.; Mason, T. A.; Adrian, R. J.; Akinci, A. A.; Martinez, M. E.; Thomas, K. A.

2007-09-01

High-Speed Multi-Frame Laser Schlieren is used for visualization of a range of explosive and non-explosive events. Schlieren is a well-known technique for visualizing shock phenomena in transparent media. Laser backlighting and a framing camera allow for Schlieren images with very short (down to 5 ns) exposure times, band pass filtering to block out explosive self-light, and 14 frames of a single explosive event. This diagnostic has been applied to several explosive initiation events, such as exploding bridgewires (EBW), Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI) (or slappers), Direct Optical Initiation (DOI), and ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD). Additionally, a series of tests have been performed on "cut-back" detonators with varying initial pressing (IP) heights. We have also used this Diagnostic to visualize a range of EBW, EFI, and DOI full-up detonators. The setup has also been used to visualize a range of other explosive events, such as explosively driven metal shock experiments and explosively driven microjets. Future applications to other explosive events such as boosters and IHE booster evaluation will be discussed. Finite element codes (EPIC, CTH) have been used to analyze the schlieren images to determine likely boundary or initial conditions to determine the temporal-spatial pressure profile across the output face of the detonator. These experiments are part of a phased plan to understand the evolution of detonation in a detonator from initiation shock through run to detonation to full detonation to transition to booster and booster detonation.

The 1908 Tunguska explosion - Atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chyba, Christofer F.; Thomas, Paul J.; Zahnle, Kevin J.

1993-01-01

The explosion over Tunguska, Central Siberia, in 1908 released 10 to 20 megatons (high explosive equivalent) of energy at an altitude of about 10 km. This event represents a typical fate for stony asteroids tens of meters in radius entering the Earth's atmosphere at common hypersonic velocities. Comets and carbonaceous asteroids of the appropriate energy disrupt too high, whereas typical iron objects reach and crater the terrestrial surface.

Safety issues of high-concentrated hydrogen peroxide production used as rocket propellant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romantsova, O. V.; Ulybin, V. B.

2015-04-01

The article dwells on the possibility of production of high-concentrated hydrogen peroxide with the Russian technology of isopropyl alcohol autoxidation. Analysis of fire/explosion hazards and reasons of insufficient quality is conducted for the technology. Modified technology is shown. Non-standard fire/explosion characteristics required for integrated fire/explosion hazards rating for modified hydrogen peroxide production based on the autoxidation of isopropyl alcohol are defined.

Invited Article: Quantitative imaging of explosions with high-speed cameras

DOE PAGES

McNesby, Kevin L.; Homan, Barrie E.; Benjamin, Richard A.; ...

2016-05-31

Here, the techniques presented in this paper allow for mapping of temperature, pressure, chemical species, and energy deposition during and following detonations of explosives, using high speed cameras as the main diagnostic tool. Additionally, this work provides measurement in the explosive near to far-field (0-500 charge diameters) of surface temperatures, peak air-shock pressures, some chemical species signatures, shock energy deposition, and air shock formation.

Beam Research Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

wavelengths. A direct application of such a laser is isotope separation. 2. For a brief status report of the Laboratory’s high- explosive flash...operation in the fall of 1982. in a 50-MeV Advanced Test Accelerator Facility (the ATA)1 that we are con- structing at our high- explosives test loca...chemical explosives in target-damage studies. Potential hazards associated with the ATA experiments were considered in choosing our site. LLNL’s

Highly sensitive screening method for nitroaromatic, nitramine and nitrate ester explosives by high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-API-MS) in forensic applications.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaoma; van de Craats, Anick M; de Bruyn, Peter C A M

2004-11-01

A highly sensitive screening method based on high performance liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-API-MS) has been developed for the analysis of 21 nitroaromatic, nitramine and nitrate ester explosives, which include the explosives most commonly encountered in forensic science. Two atmospheric pressure ionization (API) methods, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI), and various experimental conditions have been applied to allow for the detection of all 21 explosive compounds. The limit of detection (LOD) in the full-scan mode has been found to be 0.012-1.2 ng on column for the screening of most explosives investigated. For nitrobenzene, an LOD of 10 ng was found with the APCI method in the negative mode. Although the detection of nitrobenzene, 2-, 3-, and 4-nitrotoluene is hindered by the difficult ionization of these compounds, we have found that by forming an adduct with glycine, LOD values in the range of 3-16 ng on column can be achieved. Compared with previous screening methods with thermospray ionization, the API method has distinct advantages, including simplicity and stability of the method applied, an extended screening range and a low detection limit for the explosives studied.

Infrared Spectroscopy of Explosives Residues: Measurement Techniques and Spectral Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Phillips, Mark C.; Bernacki, Bruce E.

2015-03-11

Infrared laser spectroscopy of explosives is a promising technique for standoff and non-contact detection applications. However, the interpretation of spectra obtained in typical standoff measurement configurations presents numerous challenges. Understanding the variability in observed spectra from explosives residues and particles is crucial for design and implementation of detection algorithms with high detection confidence and low false alarm probability. We discuss a series of infrared spectroscopic techniques applied toward measuring and interpreting the reflectance spectra obtained from explosives particles and residues. These techniques utilize the high spectral radiance, broad tuning range, rapid wavelength tuning, high scan reproducibility, and low noise ofmore » an external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) system developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The ECQCL source permits measurements in configurations which would be either impractical or overly time-consuming with broadband, incoherent infrared sources, and enables a combination of rapid measurement speed and high detection sensitivity. The spectroscopic methods employed include standoff hyperspectral reflectance imaging, quantitative measurements of diffuse reflectance spectra, reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, microscopic imaging and spectroscopy, and nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy. Measurements of explosives particles and residues reveal important factors affecting observed reflectance spectra, including measurement geometry, substrate on which the explosives are deposited, and morphological effects such as particle shape, size, orientation, and crystal structure.« less

Luminescent Li-based metal-organic framework tailored for the selective detection of explosive nitroaromatic compounds: direct observation of interaction sites.

PubMed

Kim, Tae Kyung; Lee, Jae Hwa; Moon, Dohyun; Moon, Hoi Ri

2013-01-18

A luminescent lithium metal-organic framework (MOF) is constructed from the solvothermal reaction of Li(+) and a well-designed organic ligand, bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-N-methylamine (H(2)CPMA). A Li-based MOF can detect an explosive aromatic compound containing nitro groups as an explosophore, by showing a dramatic color change with concurrent luminescence quenching in the solid state. The detection sites are proven directly through single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations, which show strong interactions between the aromatic rings of the electron-rich CPMA(2-) molecules and the electron-deficient nitrobenzene.

Wave run-up of a possible Anak-Krakatau tsunami on planned and optimized Jakarta Sea Dike

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badriana, M. R.; Bachtiar, H.; Adytia, D.; Sembiring, L.; Andonowati, van Groesen, E.

2017-07-01

The infrastructural plans in the Jakarta Bay to reduce risks of flooding in Jakarta city comprise a large Sea Dike that encloses a retention lake. Part of the planned dike has the shape of the iconic Garuda bird. This paper shows that if in the future an explosion of Anak Krakatau will occur with strength 1/4th of the original Karkatau 1883 explosion, wave crests of 11m and troughs of 6m may collide against the bird's head. As an alternative example, a more optimized design of the dike is constructed that reduces the maximal wave effects considerably.

Completely explosive ultracompact high-voltage nanosecond pulse-generating system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shkuratov, Sergey I.; Talantsev, Evgueni F.; Baird, Jason; Rose, Millard F.; Shotts, Zachary; Altgilbers, Larry L.; Stults, Allen H.

2006-04-01

A conventional pulsed power technology has been combined with an explosive pulsed power technology to produce an autonomous high-voltage power supply. The power supply contained an explosive-driven high-voltage primary power source and a power-conditioning stage. The ultracompact explosive-driven primary power source was based on the physical effect of shock-wave depolarization of high-energy Pb (Zr52Ti48)O3 ferroelectric material. The volume of the energy-carrying ferroelectric elements in the shock-wave ferroelectric generators (SWFEGs) varied from 1.2 to 2.6cm3. The power-conditioning stage was based on the spiral vector inversion generator (VIG). The SWFEG-VIG system demonstrated successful operation and good performance. The amplitude of the output voltage pulse of the SWFEG-VIG system exceeded 90kV, with a rise time of 5.2ns.

In-Situ Silver Acetylide Silver Nitrate Explosive Deposition Measurements Using X-Ray Fluorescence.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Covert, Timothy Todd

2014-09-01

The Light Initiated High Explosive facility utilized a spray deposited coating of silver acetylide - silver nitrate explosive to impart a mechanical shock into targets of interest. A diagnostic was required to measure the explosive deposition in - situ. An X - ray fluorescence spectrometer was deployed at the facility. A measurement methodology was developed to measure the explosive quantity with sufficient accuracy. Through the use of a tin reference material under the silver based explosive, a field calibration relationship has been developed with a standard deviation of 3.2 % . The effect of the inserted tin material into themore » experiment configuration has been explored.« less

Effect of Velocity of Detonation of Explosives on Seismic Radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stroujkova, A. F.; Leidig, M.; Bonner, J. L.

2014-12-01

We studied seismic body wave generation from four fully contained explosions of approximately the same yields (68 kg of TNT equivalent) conducted in anisotropic granite in Barre, VT. The explosions were detonated using three types of explosives with different velocities of detonation (VOD): Black Powder (BP), Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil/Emulsion (ANFO), and Composition B (COMP B). The main objective of the experiment was to study differences in seismic wave generation among different types of explosives, and to determine the mechanism responsible for these differences. The explosives with slow burn rate (BP) produced lower P-wave amplitude and lower corner frequency, which resulted in lower seismic efficiency (0.35%) in comparison with high burn rate explosives (2.2% for ANFO and 3% for COMP B). The seismic efficiency estimates for ANFO and COMP B agree with previous studies for nuclear explosions in granite. The body wave radiation pattern is consistent with an isotropic explosion with an added azimuthal component caused by vertical tensile fractures oriented along pre-existing micro-fracturing in the granite, although the complexities in the P- and S-wave radiation patterns suggest that more than one fracture orientation could be responsible for their generation. High S/P amplitude ratios and low P-wave amplitudes suggest that a significant fraction of the BP source mechanism can be explained by opening of the tensile fractures as a result of the slow energy release.

High energy forming facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ciurlionis, B.

1967-01-01

Watertight, high-explosive forming facility, 25 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep, withstands repeated explosions of 10 pounds of TNT equivalent. The shell is fabricated of high strength steel and allows various structural elements to deform or move elastically and independently while retaining structural integrity.

Explosive-driven, high speed, arcless switch

DOEpatents

Skogmo, P.J.; Tucker, T.J.

1986-05-02

An explosive-actuated, fast-acting arcless switch contains a highly conductive foil to carry high currents positioned adjacent a dielectric surface within a casing. At one side of the foil opposite the dielectric surface is an explosive which, when detonated, drives the conductive foil against the dielectric surface. A pattern of grooves in the dielectric surface ruptures the foil to establish a rupture path having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the grooves. The impedance of the ruptured foil is greater than that of the original foil to divert high current to a load. Planar and cylindrical embodiments of the switch are disclosed.

Explosive-driven, high speed, arcless switch

DOEpatents

Skogmo, Phillip J.; Tucker, Tillman J.

1987-01-01

An explosive-actuated, fast-acting arcless switch contains a highly conductive foil to carry high currents positioned adjacent a dielectric surface within a casing. At one side of the foil opposite the dielectric surface is an explosive which, when detonated, drives the conductive foil against the dielectric surface. A pattern of grooves in the dielectric surface ruptures the foil to establish a rupture path having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the grooves. The impedance of the ruptured foil is greater than that of the original foil to divert high current to a load. Planar and cylindrical embodiments of the switch are disclosed.

Evaluation of various organic fertilizer substrates and hydraulic retention times for enhancing anaerobic degradation of explosives-contaminated groundwater while using constructed wetlands at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Milan, Tennessee. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Behrends, L.L.; Almond, R.A.; Kelly, D.A.

1998-05-01

This document describes studies conducted at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MAAP) to improve the design, operation, and cost of gravel-based anaerobic cells when phytoremediating explosives-contaminated groundwater. To conduct this study, small-scale anaerobic test cells were used to determine: (1) If the hydraulic retention time of a large demonstration-scale anaerobic cell at MAAP could be reduced, and (2) if other carbon sources could be used as an anaerobic feedstock. The study results indicated that: (1) The existing anaerobic cell`s 7.5-day retention time should not be reduced since residual explosive by-products were present in the effluent of treatments with a 3.5-daymore » retention time. (2) Daily application of a relatively soluble substrate, such as molasses syrup, will provide better explosives removal than periodic application of less soluble substrates like milk replacement starter and sewage sludge. (3) Molasses syrup could be, and should be, used as a substitute for milk replacement power. The recommendation to use molasses syrup was based on: (1) The lower cost of molasses syrup as compared to milk replacement starter, (2) molasses syrup`s higher solubility (which makes it easier to apply), and (3) molasses syrup`s ability to provide enhanced explosives removal.« less

Anaerobic biotransformation of explosives in aquifer slurries amended with ethanol and propylene glycol.

PubMed

Adrian, Neal R; Arnett, Clint M

2007-01-01

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) are explosives that are frequently found as environmental contaminants on military installations. Hydrogen has been shown to support the anaerobic transformation of these explosives. We investigated ethanol and propylene glycol as electron donors for providing syntrophically produced H2 for stimulating the anaerobic biodegradation of explosives in contaminated soil. The study was conducted using anoxic microcosms constructed with slurries of the contaminated soil and groundwater. The addition of 5mM ethanol and propylene glycol enhanced the biodegradation of RDX and HMX relative to the control bottles. Ethanol was depleted within about 20 days, resulting in the transient formation of hydrogen, acetate, and methane. The hydrogen headspace concentration increased from 8 ppm to 1838 ppm before decreasing to background concentrations. Propylene glycol was completely degraded after 15 days, forming hydrogen, propionate, and acetate as end-products. The hydrogen headspace concentrations increased from 56 ppm to 628 ppm before decreasing to background concentrations. No methane formation was observed during the incubation period of 48 days. Our findings indicate the addition of ethanol and propylene to the aquifer slurries increased the hydrogen concentrations and enhanced the biotransformation of RDX and HMX in the explosive-contaminated soil.

Experimental investigation on the energy deposition and expansion rate under the electrical explosion of aluminum wire in vacuum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shi, Zongqian; Wang, Kun; Shi, Yuanjie

Experimental investigations on the electrical explosion of aluminum wire using negative polarity current in vacuum are presented. Current pulses with rise rates of 40 A/ns, 80 A/ns, and 120 A/ns are generated for investigating the influence of current rise rate on energy deposition. Experimental results show a significant increase of energy deposition into the wire before the voltage breakdown with the increase of current rise rate. The influence of wire dimension on energy deposition is investigated as well. Decreasing the wire length allows more energy to be deposited into the wire. The energy deposition of a 0.5 cm-long wire explosion ismore » ∼2.5 times higher than the energy deposition of a 2 cm-long wire explosion. The dependence of the energy deposition on wire diameter demonstrates a maximum energy deposition of 2.7 eV/atom with a diameter of ∼18 μm. Substantial increase in energy deposition is observed in the electrical explosion of aluminum wire with polyimide coating. A laser probe is applied to construct the shadowgraphy, schlieren, and interferometry diagnostics. The morphology and expansion trajectory of exploding products are analyzed based on the shadowgram. The interference phase shift is reconstructed from the interferogram. Parallel dual wires are exploded to estimate the expansion velocity of the plasma shell.« less

Fuse Selection for the Two-Stage Explosive Type Switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muravlev, I. O.; Surkov, M. A.; Tarasov, E. V.; Uvarov, N. F.

2017-04-01

In the two-level explosive switch destruction of a delay happens in the form of electric explosion. Criteria of similarity of electric explosion in transformer oil are defined. The challenge of protecting the power electrical equipment from short circuit currents is still urgent, especially with the growth of unit capacity. Is required to reduce the tripping time as much as possible, and limit the amplitude of the fault current, that is very important for saving of working capacity of life-support systems. This is particularly important when operating in remote stand-alone power supply systems with a high share of renewable energy, working through the inverter transducers, as well as inverter-type diesel generators. The explosive breakers copes well with these requirements. High-speed flow of transformer oil and high pressure provides formation rate of a contact gap of 20 - 100 m/s. In these conditions there is as a rapid increase in voltage on the discontinuity, and recovery of electric strength (Ures) after current interruption.

Standoff detection of explosive substances at distances of up to 150 m.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Anadi; Von der Porten, Steven; Patel, C Kumar N

2010-04-10

We report detection and identification of trace quantities of explosives at standoff distances up to 150 m with high sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 70) and high selectivity. The technique involves illuminating the target object with laser radiation at a wavelength that is strongly absorbed by the target. The resulting temperature rise is observed by remotely monitoring the increased blackbody radiation from the sample. An unambiguous determination of the target, TNT, in soil samples collected from an explosives test site in China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station is achieved through the use of a tunable CO(2) laser that scans over the absorption fingerprint of the target explosives. The theoretical analysis supports the observation and indicates that, with optimized detectors and data processing algorithms, the measurement capability can be improved significantly, permitting rapid standoff detection of explosives at distances approaching 1 km. The detection sensitivity varies as R(-2) and, thus, with the availability of high power, room-temperature, tunable mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared quantum cascade lasers, this technology may play an important role in screening personnel and their belongings at short distances, such as in airports, for detecting and identifying explosives material residue on persons.

Energy stable and high-order-accurate finite difference methods on staggered grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Reilly, Ossian; Lundquist, Tomas; Dunham, Eric M.; Nordström, Jan

2017-10-01

For wave propagation over distances of many wavelengths, high-order finite difference methods on staggered grids are widely used due to their excellent dispersion properties. However, the enforcement of boundary conditions in a stable manner and treatment of interface problems with discontinuous coefficients usually pose many challenges. In this work, we construct a provably stable and high-order-accurate finite difference method on staggered grids that can be applied to a broad class of boundary and interface problems. The staggered grid difference operators are in summation-by-parts form and when combined with a weak enforcement of the boundary conditions, lead to an energy stable method on multiblock grids. The general applicability of the method is demonstrated by simulating an explosive acoustic source, generating waves reflecting against a free surface and material discontinuity.

Acoustic wavefield and Mach wave radiation of flashing arcs in strombolian explosion measured by image luminance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genco, Riccardo; Ripepe, Maurizio; Marchetti, Emanuele; Bonadonna, Costanza; Biass, Sebastien

2014-10-01

Explosive activity often generates visible flashing arcs in the volcanic plume considered as the evidence of the shock-front propagation induced by supersonic dynamics. High-speed image processing is used to visualize the pressure wavefield associated with flashing arcs observed in strombolian explosions. Image luminance is converted in virtual acoustic signal compatible with the signal recorded by pressure transducer. Luminance variations are moving with a spherical front at a 344.7 m/s velocity. Flashing arcs travel at the sound speed already 14 m above the vent and are not necessarily the evidence of a supersonic explosive dynamics. However, seconds later, the velocity of small fragments increases, and the spherical acousto-luminance wavefront becomes planar recalling the Mach wave radiation generated by large scale turbulence in high-speed jet. This planar wavefront forms a Mach angle of 55° with the explosive jet axis, suggesting an explosive dynamics moving at Mo = 1.22 Mach number.

High explosive spot test analyses of samples from Operable Unit (OU) 1111

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McRae, D.; Haywood, W.; Powell, J.

1995-01-01

A preliminary evaluation has been completed of environmental contaminants at selected sites within the Group DX-10 (formally Group M-7) area. Soil samples taken from specific locations at this detonator facility were analyzed for harmful metals and screened for explosives. A sanitary outflow, a burn pit, a pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) production outflow field, an active firing chamber, an inactive firing chamber, and a leach field were sampled. Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to obtain semi-quantitative concentrations of metals in the soil. Two field spot-test kits for explosives were used to assess the presence of energetic materials in the soilmore » and in items found at the areas tested. PETN is the major explosive in detonators manufactured and destroyed at Los Alamos. No measurable amounts of PETN or other explosives were detected in the soil, but items taken from the burn area and a high-energy explosive (HE)/chemical sump were contaminated. The concentrations of lead, mercury, and uranium are given.« less

The concurrence of atmospheric rivers and explosive cyclogenesis in the North Atlantic and North Pacific basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eiras-Barca, Jorge; Ramos, Alexandre M.; Pinto, Joaquim G.; Trigo, Ricardo M.; Liberato, Margarida L. R.; Miguez-Macho, Gonzalo

2018-01-01

The explosive cyclogenesis of extratropical cyclones and the occurrence of atmospheric rivers are characteristic features of a baroclinic atmosphere, and are both closely related to extreme hydrometeorological events in the mid-latitudes, particularly on coastal areas on the western side of the continents. The potential role of atmospheric rivers in the explosive cyclone deepening has been previously analysed for selected case studies, but a general assessment from the climatological perspective is still missing. Using ERA-Interim reanalysis data for 1979-2011, we analyse the concurrence of atmospheric rivers and explosive cyclogenesis over the North Atlantic and North Pacific basins for the extended winter months (ONDJFM). Atmospheric rivers are identified for almost 80 % of explosive deepening cyclones. For non-explosive cyclones, atmospheric rivers are found only in roughly 40 % of the cases. The analysis of the time evolution of the high values of water vapour flux associated with the atmospheric river during the cyclone development phase leads us to hypothesize that the identified relationship is the fingerprint of a mechanism that raises the odds of an explosive cyclogenesis occurrence and not merely a statistical relationship. These new insights on the relationship between explosive cyclones and atmospheric rivers may be helpful to a better understanding of the associated high-impact weather events.

Detecting Earthquakes--Part 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isenberg, C.; And Others

1983-01-01

Basic concepts associated with seismic wave propagation through the earth and the location of seismic events were explained in part 1 (appeared in January 1983 issue). This part focuses on the construction of a student seismometer for detecting earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions anywhere on the earth's surface. (Author/JN)

30 CFR 22.7 - Specific requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS PORTABLE METHANE DETECTORS § 22.7 Specific requirements. (a) Design. In the... explosion hazard—(1) Detectors. Detectors shall be constructed so that they will not cause external... diameter and are of reasonably thick glass. (4) Battery. If the detector is equipped with a battery, it...

30 CFR 22.7 - Specific requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS PORTABLE METHANE DETECTORS § 22.7 Specific requirements. (a) Design. In the... explosion hazard—(1) Detectors. Detectors shall be constructed so that they will not cause external... diameter and are of reasonably thick glass. (4) Battery. If the detector is equipped with a battery, it...

30 CFR 22.7 - Specific requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS PORTABLE METHANE DETECTORS § 22.7 Specific requirements. (a) Design. In the... explosion hazard—(1) Detectors. Detectors shall be constructed so that they will not cause external... diameter and are of reasonably thick glass. (4) Battery. If the detector is equipped with a battery, it...

30 CFR 22.7 - Specific requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... APPROVAL OF MINING PRODUCTS PORTABLE METHANE DETECTORS § 22.7 Specific requirements. (a) Design. In the... explosion hazard—(1) Detectors. Detectors shall be constructed so that they will not cause external... diameter and are of reasonably thick glass. (4) Battery. If the detector is equipped with a battery, it...

Wireless device for activation of an underground shock wave absorber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chikhradze, M.; Akhvlediani, I.; Bochorishvili, N.; Mataradze, E.

2011-10-01

The paper describes the mechanism and design of the wireless device for activation of energy absorber for localization of blast energy in underground openings. The statistics shows that the greatest share of accidents with fatal results associate with explosions in coal mines due to aero-methane and/or air-coal media explosion. The other significant problem is terrorist or accidental explosions in underground structures. At present there are different protective systems to reduce the blast energy. One of the main parts of protective Systems is blast Identification and Registration Module. The works conducted at G. Tsulukidze Mining Institute of Georgia enabled to construct the wireless system of explosion detection and mitigation of shock waves. The system is based on the constant control on overpressure. The experimental research continues to fulfill the system based on both threats, on the constant control on overpressure and flame parameters, especially in underground structures and coal mines. Reaching the threshold value of any of those parameters, the system immediately starts the activation. The absorber contains a pyrotechnic device ensuring the discharge of dispersed water. The operational parameters of wireless device and activation mechanisms of pyrotechnic element of shock wave absorber are discussed in the paper.

Risk assessment for stonecutting enterprises Accidental risks in the course of petroleum production and stone extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleksandrova, A. J.; Timofeeva, S. S.

2018-01-01

The paper is devoted to the assessment of accidental risks occurring at the works engaged in stone extracting and petroleum production. Two basic kinds of accidents common for stone extracting and petroleum production have been chosen to be discussed in the part under consideration. The most dangerous accidental situation characteristic for a stone milling line is an unsanctioned explosion, UE, of blasting agents used for the development of stone deposits. The analysis of a risk occurrence in certain accidental situations is to be carried out. With reference to petroleum extraction, a combustibles and lubricants (C & L) explosion is the most dangerous of characteristic accidental situations. To reveal the most probable causes of accidental situations to be realized, a graph of cause and effect relations has been constructed for each of the accidental situations most probable causes to real situation of an accident. Disasters of a natural origin are the most probable causes of unsanctioned explosions at the deposits of stone raw materials. Technology related natural disasters are the most probable causes of unsanctioned explosions to be realized at multiple well platforms engaged in petroleum production.

Fire and Ice: Thermoluminescent Temperature Sensing in High-Explosive Detonations and Optical Characterization Methods for Glacier Ice Boreholes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mah, Merlin Lyn

The environment around a detonating high explosive is incredibly energetic and dynamic, generating shock waves, turbulent mixing, chemical reactions, and temperature excursions of thousands of Kelvin. Probing this violent but short-lived phenomena requires durable sensors with fast response times. By contrast, the glacier ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland change on geologic time scales; the accumulation and compression of snow into ice preserves samples of atmospheric gas, dust, and volcanic ash, while the crystal orientations of the ice reflect its conditions and movement over hundreds of thousands of years. Here, difficulty of characterization stems primarily from the location, scale, and depth of the ice sheet. This work describes new sensing technologies for both of these environments. Microparticles of thermoluminescent materials are proposed as high-survivability, bulk-deployable temperature sensors for applications such as assessing bioagent inactivation. A technique to reconstruct thermal history from subsequent thermoluminescence observations is described. MEMS devices were designed and fabricated to assist in non-detonation testing: large-area electrostatic membrane actuators were used to apply mechanical stress to thermoluminescent Y2O3 :Tb thin film, and microheaters impose rapid temperature excursions upon particles of Mg2SiO4:Tb,Co to demonstrate predictable thermoluminescent response. Closed- and open-chamber explosive detonation tests using dosimetric LiF:Mg,Ti and two experimental thermometry materials were performed to test survivability and attempt thermal event reconstruction. Two borehole logging devices are described for optical characterization of glacier ice. For detecting and recording layers of volcanic ash in glacier ice, we developed a lightweight, compact probe which uses optical fibers and purely passive downhole components to detect single-scattered long-wavelength light. To characterize ice fabric orientation, we propose a technique which uses reflection measurements from a small, fixed set of geometries. The design and construction of a borehole logger implementing these techniques is described, and its testing discussed.

Underwater explosive compaction-sintering of tungsten-copper coating on a copper surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiang; Li, Xiaojie; Yan, Honghao; Wang, Xiaohong; Chen, Saiwei

2018-01-01

This study investigated underwater explosive compaction-sintering for coating a high-density tungsten-copper composite on a copper surface. First, 50% W-50% Cu tungsten-copper composite powder was prepared by mechanical alloying. The composite powder was pre-compacted and sintered by hydrogen. Underwater explosive compaction was carried out. Finally, a high-density tungsten-copper coating was obtained by diffusion sintering of the specimen after explosive compaction. A simulation of the underwater explosive compaction process showed that the peak value of the pressure in the coating was between 3.0 and 4.8 GPa. The hardness values of the tungsten-copper layer and the copper substrate were in the range of 87-133 and 49 HV, respectively. The bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was approximately 100-105 MPa.

Synthesis of TiCx Powder via the Underwater Explosion of an Explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Shigeru; Bataev, Ivan; Hamashima, Hideki; Tsurui, Akihiko; Hokamoto, Kazuyuki

2018-05-01

In this study, a novel approach to the explosive synthesis of titanium carbide (TiC) is discussed. Nonstoichiometric TiCx powder was produced via the underwater explosion of a Ti powder encapsulated within a spherical explosive charge. The explosion process, bubble formation, and synthesis process were visualized using high-speed camera imaging. It was concluded that synthesis occurred within the detonation gas during the first expansion/contraction cycle of the bubble, which was accompanied by a strong emission of light. The recovered powders were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Submicron particles were generated during the explosion. An increase in the carbon content of the starting powder resulted in an increase in the carbon content of the final product. No oxide byproducts were observed within the recovered powders.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leskovar, Matjaz; Koncar, Bostjan

An ex-vessel steam explosion may occur when during a severe reactor accident the reactor vessel fails and the molten core pours into the water in the reactor cavity. A steam explosion is a fuel coolant interaction process where the heat transfer from the melt to water is so intense and rapid that the timescale for heat transfer is shorter than the timescale for pressure relief. This can lead to the formation of shock waves and production of missiles at later times, during the expansion of the highly pressurized water vapor, that may endanger surrounding structures. In contrast to specialized steammore » explosion CFD codes, where the steam explosion is modeled on micro-scale using fundamental averaged multiphase flow conservation equations, in the presented approach the steam explosion is modeled in a simplified manner as an expanding high-pressure pre-mixture of dispersed molten fuel, liquid water and vapor. Applying the developed steam explosion model, a comprehensive analysis of the ex-vessel steam explosion in a typical PWR reactor cavity was done using the CFD code CFX-10. At four selected locations, which are of importance for the assessment of the vulnerability of cavity structures, the pressure histories were recorded and the corresponding pressure impulses calculated. The pressure impulses determine the destructive potential of the steam explosion and represent the input for the structural mechanical analysis of the cavity structures. The simulation results show that the pressure impulses depend mainly on the steam explosion energy conversion ratio, whereas the influence of the pre-mixture vapor volume fraction, which is a parameter in our model and determines the maximum steam explosion pressure, is not significant. (authors)« less

An Empirical Non-TNT Approach to Launch Vehicle Explosion Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blackwood, James M.; Skinner, Troy; Richardson, Erin H.; Bangham, Michal E.

2015-01-01

In an effort to increase crew survivability from catastrophic explosions of Launch Vehicles (LV), a study was conducted to determine the best method for predicting LV explosion environments in the near field. After reviewing such methods as TNT equivalence, Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE) theory, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), it was determined that the best approach for this study was to assemble all available empirical data from full scale launch vehicle explosion tests and accidents. Approximately 25 accidents or full-scale tests were found that had some amount of measured blast wave, thermal, or fragment explosion environment characteristics. Blast wave overpressure was found to be much lower in the near field than predicted by most TNT equivalence methods. Additionally, fragments tended to be larger, fewer, and slower than expected if the driving force was from a high explosive type event. In light of these discoveries, a simple model for cryogenic rocket explosions is presented. Predictions from this model encompass all known applicable full scale launch vehicle explosion data. Finally, a brief description of on-going analysis and testing to further refine the launch vehicle explosion environment is discussed.

Computer code for the optimization of performance parameters of mixed explosive formulations.

PubMed

Muthurajan, H; Sivabalan, R; Talawar, M B; Venugopalan, S; Gandhe, B R

2006-08-25

LOTUSES is a novel computer code, which has been developed for the prediction of various thermodynamic properties such as heat of formation, heat of explosion, volume of explosion gaseous products and other related performance parameters. In this paper, we report LOTUSES (Version 1.4) code which has been utilized for the optimization of various high explosives in different combinations to obtain maximum possible velocity of detonation. LOTUSES (Version 1.4) code will vary the composition of mixed explosives automatically in the range of 1-100% and computes the oxygen balance as well as the velocity of detonation for various compositions in preset steps. Further, the code suggests the compositions for which least oxygen balance and the higher velocity of detonation could be achieved. Presently, the code can be applied for two component explosive compositions. The code has been validated with well-known explosives like, TNT, HNS, HNF, TATB, RDX, HMX, AN, DNA, CL-20 and TNAZ in different combinations. The new algorithm incorporated in LOTUSES (Version 1.4) enhances the efficiency and makes it a more powerful tool for the scientists/researches working in the field of high energy materials/hazardous materials.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography and capillary electrochromatography of nitroaromatic explosives in seawater.

PubMed

Giordano, Braden C; Copper, Christine L; Collins, Greg E

2006-02-01

The ability to separate nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives in seawater sample matrices is demonstrated using both MEKC and CEC. While several capillary-based separations exist for explosives, none address direct sampling from seawater, a sample matrix of particular interest in the detection of undersea mines. Direct comparisons are made between MEKC and CEC in terms of sensitivity and separation efficiency for the analysis of 14 explosives and explosive degradation products in seawater and diluted seawater. The use of high-salt stacking with MEKC results, on average, in a three-fold increase in the number of theoretical plates, and nearly double resolution for samples prepared in 25% seawater. By taking advantage of long injection times in conjunction with stacking, detection limits down to sub mg/L levels are attainable; however, resolution is sacrificed. CEC of explosive mixtures using sol-gels prepared from methyltrimethoxysilane does not perform as well as MEKC in terms of resolving power, but does permit extended injection times for concentrating analyte onto the head of the separation column with little or no subsequent loss in resolution. Electrokinetic injections of 8 min at high voltage allow for detection limits of explosives below 100 microg/L.

The hydrodynamics of off-center explosions. [of supernovae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fryxell, B. A.

1979-01-01

The behavior of off-center supernova explosions is investigated using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic code. An important application of these calculations is the possible formation of high-velocity pulsars. The dependence of the final velocity of the collapsed remnant on the location and energy of the explosion is computed. The largest remnant velocities result from explosions located at a mass fraction of 0.5. An explosion energy 50% greater than the binding energy of the star ejects 0.51 solar masses, producing a 1.4 solar mass remnant with a velocity of 400 km/s. However, this energy must be generated in a very small region of the star in order to create the required asymmetry in the explosion. Because of this, a specific energy of about 10 to the 20th ergs/g is needed. Nuclear reactions can produce no more than about 5 x 10 to the 17th erg/g, and it is unclear how the energy produced in gravitational collapse models can be sufficiently localized. Unless a supernova mechanism can be found which can produce enough energy in a small region of the star, off-center explosions do not provide a satisfactory explanation for high-velocity pulsars.

A Scaling Analysis of Frequency Dependent Energy Partition for Local and Regional Seismic Phases from Explosions

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-31

explosions at the former Soviet Semipalatinsk test site (STS). Labeled stations are those for which high resolution digital data are available. 12 8...characteristics of regional phase observations from underground nuclear explosions at the former Soviet Semipalatinsk and Novaya Zemlya test sites , the...various regional phases observed from underground nuclear explosions at the former Soviet Semipalatinsk test site (STS). Labeled stations are those for

Air Force construction automation/robotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nease, AL; Dusseault, Christopher

1994-01-01

The Air Force has several unique requirements that are being met through the development of construction robotic technology. The missions associated with these requirements place construction/repair equipment operators in potentially harmful situations. Additionally, force reductions require that human resources be leveraged to the maximum extent possible and that more stringent construction repair requirements push for increased automation. To solve these problems, the U.S. Air Force is undertaking a research and development effort at Tyndall AFB, FL to develop robotic teleoperation, telerobotics, robotic vehicle communications, automated damage assessment, vehicle navigation, mission/vehicle task control architecture, and associated computing environment. The ultimate goal is the fielding of robotic repair capability operating at the level of supervised autonomy. The authors of this paper will discuss current and planned efforts in construction/repair, explosive ordnance disposal, hazardous waste cleanup, fire fighting, and space construction.

Source spectral variation and yield estimation for small, near-source explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, S.; Mayeda, K. M.

2012-12-01

Significant S-wave generation is always observed from explosion sources which can lead to difficulty in discriminating explosions from natural earthquakes. While there are numerous S-wave generation mechanisms that are currently the topic of significant research, the mechanisms all remain controversial and appear to be dependent upon the near-source emplacement conditions of that particular explosion. To better understand the generation and partitioning of the P and S waves from explosion sources and to enhance the identification and discrimination capability of explosions, we investigate near-source explosion data sets from the 2008 New England Damage Experiment (NEDE), the Humble-Redwood (HR) series of explosions, and a Massachusetts quarry explosion experiment. We estimate source spectra and characteristic source parameters using moment tensor inversions, direct P and S waves multi-taper analysis, and improved coda spectral analysis using high quality waveform records from explosions from a variety of emplacement conditions (e.g., slow/fast burning explosive, fully tamped, partially tamped, single/ripple-fired, and below/above ground explosions). The results from direct and coda waves are compared to theoretical explosion source model predictions. These well-instrumented experiments provide us with excellent data from which to document the characteristic spectral shape, relative partitioning between P and S-waves, and amplitude/yield dependence as a function of HOB/DOB. The final goal of this study is to populate a comprehensive seismic source reference database for small yield explosions based on the results and to improve nuclear explosion monitoring capability.

Ballistically Initiated Fire Ball Generation Using M&S: Innovation Grant (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-26

isotropic in nature Phenomenological models for explosives initiation. – HVRB, forest fire etc. Equation of state – Ideal gas, Mie-Gruneisen, JWL ...perfectly plastic description • EOS • Mie Gruneisen • JWL for explosive • Phenomenological Model for EFP • High Explosive input for programmed burn

Explosively pumped laser light

DOEpatents

Piltch, Martin S.; Michelotti, Roy A.

1991-01-01

A single shot laser pumped by detonation of an explosive in a shell casing. The shock wave from detonation of the explosive causes a rare gas to luminesce. The high intensity light from the gas enters a lasing medium, which thereafter outputs a pulse of laser light to disable optical sensors and personnel.

10 CFR 50.55 - Conditions of construction permits, early site permits, combined licenses, and manufacturing...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., combined licenses, and manufacturing licenses. 50.55 Section 50.55 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION... experimental nature of the facility or fire, flood, explosion, strike, sabotage, domestic violence, enemy... submitted to the Document Control Desk, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, by an appropriate method listed...

10 CFR 50.55 - Conditions of construction permits, early site permits, combined licenses, and manufacturing...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., combined licenses, and manufacturing licenses. 50.55 Section 50.55 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION... experimental nature of the facility or fire, flood, explosion, strike, sabotage, domestic violence, enemy... submitted to the Document Control Desk, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, by an appropriate method listed...

10 CFR 50.55 - Conditions of construction permits, early site permits, combined licenses, and manufacturing...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., combined licenses, and manufacturing licenses. 50.55 Section 50.55 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION... experimental nature of the facility or fire, flood, explosion, strike, sabotage, domestic violence, enemy... submitted to the Document Control Desk, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, by an appropriate method listed...

30 CFR 7.96 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... diesel engine with an intake system, exhaust system, and a safety shutdown system installed. Dry exhaust.... A system connected to the outlet of the diesel engine which includes, but is not limited to, the... constructed that flame or sparks from the diesel engine cannot propagate an explosion of a flammable mixture...

30 CFR 7.96 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... diesel engine with an intake system, exhaust system, and a safety shutdown system installed. Dry exhaust.... A system connected to the outlet of the diesel engine which includes, but is not limited to, the... constructed that flame or sparks from the diesel engine cannot propagate an explosion of a flammable mixture...

Reactive Behavior of Explosive Billets in Deflagration Tube of Varied Confinements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Haibo; Guo, Yingwen; Li, Tao; Fu, Hua; Shang, Hailin; Wen, Shanggang; Qiu, Tian; LaboratoryShock Wave; Detonation Physics Research Team

2017-06-01

The deflagration process of small size cylinder billets of pressed HMX-based explosive JO-9159 and the deflagration tube wall deformation is recorded by combined pressure velocity-meter high-speed frame photographic and radiographic diagnostic system. The influence of confinement structure strength on deflagration evolution behavior is compared with analysis of convective flame propagation along the slot between explosive billet and confinement wall.The follow-up reaction inside the cracks on the initiation site end surface on the side surfaces and between the end surfaces of explosive billets is restored with the analysis results of post experimental explosive billet remains.

Explosive-driven, high speed, arcless switch

DOEpatents

Skogmo, P.J.; Tucker, T.J.

1987-07-14

An explosive-actuated, fast-acting arcless switch contains a highly conductive foil to carry high currents positioned adjacent a dielectric surface within a casing. At one side of the foil opposite the dielectric surface is an explosive which, when detonated, drives the conductive foil against the dielectric surface. A pattern of grooves in the dielectric surface ruptures the foil to establish a rupture path having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the grooves. The impedance of the ruptured foil is greater than that of the original foil to divert high current to a load. Planar and cylindrical embodiments of the switch are disclosed. 7 figs.

Enhancement of eruption explosivity by heterogeneous bubble nucleation triggered by magma mingling.

PubMed

Paredes-Mariño, Joali; Dobson, Katherine J; Ortenzi, Gianluigi; Kueppers, Ulrich; Morgavi, Daniele; Petrelli, Maurizio; Hess, Kai-Uwe; Laeger, Kathrin; Porreca, Massimiliano; Pimentel, Adriano; Perugini, Diego

2017-12-04

We present new evidence that shows magma mingling can be a key process during highly explosive eruptions. Using fractal analysis of the size distribution of trachybasaltic fragments found on the inner walls of bubbles in trachytic pumices, we show that the more mafic component underwent fracturing during quenching against the trachyte. We propose a new mechanism for how this magmatic interaction at depth triggered rapid heterogeneous bubble nucleation and growth and could have enhanced eruption explosivity. We argue that the data support a further, and hitherto unreported contribution of magma mingling to highly explosive eruptions. This has implications for hazard assessment for those volcanoes in which evidence of magma mingling exists.

Nanoengineered explosives

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.

1996-04-09

A complex modulated structure is described for reactive elements that have the capability of considerably more heat than organic explosives while generating a working fluid or gas. The explosive and method of fabricating same involves a plurality of very thin, stacked, multilayer structures, each composed of reactive components, such as aluminum, separated from a less reactive element, such as copper oxide, by a separator material, such as carbon. The separator material not only separates the reactive materials, but it reacts therewith when detonated to generate higher temperatures. The various layers of material, thickness of 10 to 10,000 angstroms, can be deposited by magnetron sputter deposition. The explosive detonates and combusts a high velocity generating a gas, such as CO, and high temperatures. 2 figs.

Hydroacoustic Recordings of Explosion-Induced Tremor at NW Rota-1 Volcano, Marianas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caplan-Auerbach, J.; Dziak, R. P.; Lau, T. A.

2013-12-01

Hydroacoustic data recorded during the long-term eruption of NW Rota-1 submarine volcano (Marianas) reveal a wide variety of explosion and tremor signals. Data from a moored hydrophone deployed near the summit of NW Rota-1 from February 2009 to April 2010 confirm that NW Rota-1 was nearly continuously active during this time. Explosion acoustic signals have a wide range of frequencies: some carry energy that is bandlimited between 5-25 Hz while others show broadband signal strength between 5-200 Hz (even higher frequencies may be attenuated by the hydrophone's anti-aliasing filter at 220 Hz). The signal is observed to switch rapidly between low frequency and broadband explosion types. In many cases the explosion signals repeat at a high rate, with recurrence intervals between 0.1-0.5 seconds. In such instances the explosions blend into tremor, exhibiting a large number of spectral harmonics that we attribute to the Dirac comb effect. The presence of these harmonics indicates that explosion recurrence intervals are highly regular, although subtle gliding within the harmonic frequencies suggests that there is some variability in the timing between explosions. This suggests a strongly repeatable explosion source. The frequency of explosions at NW Rota-1 is confirmed by ROV observations of eruption plume dynamics (Chadwick et al., 2008; Deardorff et al., 2008). We also observe a strong low-frequency (< 5 Hz) tremor signal that does not correlate with the explosion tremor, as well as strongly harmonic tremor that is not obviously composed of repeating explosions. These signals may reflect processes deeper within the conduit, yet still capable of coupling into the water column. Video footage collected during ROV dives in 2009 shows multiple instances in which the ground is observed to move, but these signals do not clearly correlate with hydroacoustic pulses. Deeper study into the source of these signals requires seismic instrumentation on and around NW Rota-1.

Detonation initiation of heterogeneous melt-cast high explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuzeville, V.; Baudin, G.; Lefrançois, A.; Genetier, M.; Barbarin, Y.; Jacquet, L.; Lhopitault, J.-L.; Peix, J.; Boulanger, R.; Catoire, L.

2017-01-01

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is widely used in conventional and insensitive munitions as a fusible binder, commonly melt-cast with other explosives such as 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) or 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-one (NTO). In this paper, we study the shock-to-detonation transition phenomenon in two melt-cast high explosives (HE). We have performed plate impact tests on wedge samples to measure run-distance and time-to-detonation in order to establish the Pop-plot relation for several melt-cast HE. Highlighting the existence of the single curve buildup, we propose a two phase model based on a Zeldovich, Von-Neumann, Döring (ZND) approach where the deflagration fronts grow from the explosive grain boundaries. Knowing the grain size distribution, we calculate the deflagration velocities of the explosive charges as a function of shock pressure and explore the possible grain fragmentation.

On mechanism of explosive boiling in nanosecond regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çelen, Serap

2016-06-01

Today laser-based machining is used to manufacture vital parts for biomedical, aviation and aerospace industries. The aim of the paper is to report theoretical, numerical and experimental investigations of explosive boiling under nanosecond pulsed ytterbium fiber laser irradiation. Experiments were performed in an effective peak power density range between 1397 and 1450 MW/cm2 on pure titanium specimens. The threshold laser fluence for phase explosion, the pressure and temperature at the target surface and the velocity of the expulsed material were reported. A narrow transition zone was realized between the normal vaporization and phase explosion fields. The proof of heterogeneous boiling was given with detailed micrographs. A novel thermal model was proposed for laser-induced splashing at high fluences. Packaging factor and scattering arc radius terms were proposed to state the level of the melt ejection process. Results of the present investigation explain the explosive boiling during high-power laser interaction with metal.

Characterization of ANFO explosive by high accuracy ESI(±)-FTMS with forensic identification on real samples by EASI(-)-MS.

PubMed

Hernandes, Vinicius Veri; Franco, Marcos Fernado; Santos, Jandyson Machado; Melendez-Perez, Jose J; de Morais, Damila Rodrigues; Rocha, Werickson Fortunato de Carvalho; Borges, Rodrigo; de Souza, Wanderley; Zacca, Jorge Jardim; Logrado, Lucio Paulo Lima; Eberlin, Marcos Nogueira; Correa, Deleon Nascimento

2015-04-01

Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) is an explosive used in many civil applications. In Brazil, ANFO has unfortunately also been used in criminal attacks, mainly in automated teller machine (ATM) explosions. In this paper, we describe a detailed characterization of the ANFO composition and its two main constituents (diesel and a nitrate explosive) using high resolution and accuracy mass spectrometry performed on an FT-ICR-mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization (ESI(±)-FTMS) in both the positive and negative ion modes. Via ESI(-)-MS, an ion marker for ANFO was characterized. Using a direct and simple ambient desorption/ionization technique, i.e., easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS), in a simpler, lower accuracy but robust single quadrupole mass spectrometer, the ANFO ion marker was directly detected from the surface of banknotes collected from ATM explosion theft. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Manufacturing Methods and Technology Program Accomplishments

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

573,74,77.78,4139 AppI of Radar to Ballistic ACC Test of Amo (ARBAT) 43 574 4162 Automated Line for Melt-Pour Process of High Explosives 44 571,72 4171 Investigation...Sensitivity Criteria 49 576 4288 Explosive Safe Separation and Sensitivity Criteria 50 577 4288 Explosive Safe Separation and Sensitivity Sriteria 51...1 ANICIPATE. BEN(EPITS ACTUAL BENE’ITS PRO3ECT NUMBER $ SAVINGS OTHER SAVINGS OTHER REMARKS 5 73 1139 REDUCED EXPLOSIVE HAZARD TWO MACHINES WERE

Flash Radiographic Studies of Hypervelocity Projectile Interactions with Explosives

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-01

radiography . Explosive/metal target assemblies were designed to be representative of various aspects of explosive filled ordnance or components. The...with Explosives 1. Introduction Flash radiography (flash X-ray) is an effective instrumentation technique that can be used to record ultra high speed...firing chamber and provide a stable mount for the X-ray tubehead. i_ 11 611 Fmim A \\.\\\\ / \\,\\\\ // "-.. .•\\ /i--" " "’ ’i Xray source ColliatorBase X-ray

Remediation by in-situ solidification/stabilisation of Ardeer landfill, Scotland

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wyllie, M.; Esnault, A.; Barker, P.

1997-12-31

The Ardeer Landfill site at ICI Explosives factory on the west coast of Scotland had been a repository for waste from the site for 40 years. In order to safeguard the local environment ICI Explosives, with approval of Local Authorities and the Clyde River Purification Board put into action a programme of investigation and planning which culminated in the in-situ treatment of 10,000 m3 of waste within the landfill by a deep mixing method using the {open_quotes}Colmix{close_quotes} system. The paper describes in varying degrees of detail the remediation from investigation to the execution of the in-situ stabilisation and presents themore » post construction monitoring results.« less

A Study of SDT in an Ammonium Nitrate (NH4 NO3) Based Granular Explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burns, Malcolm; Taylor, Peter

2007-06-01

In order to study the SDT process in a granular non ideal explosive (NIE) an experimental technique has been developed that allows the granular explosive to be shock initiated at a well controlled ``tap density''. The granular NIE was contained in a PMMA cone and a planar shock was delivered to the explosive through buffer plates of varying material. A combination of piezoelectric probes, ionization pins, PVDF stress gauges and a high speed framing camera were used to measure the input shock pressure and shock and detonation wave positions in the explosive. Four trials were performed to characterize the run to detonation distance versus pressure relationship (Pop plot) of the granular NH4 NO3 explosive. Input pressures ranged from close to the 4GPa predicted CJ pressure of the granular explosive down to 1.4 GPa, giving run distances up to 14mm for the lowest pressure. The data indicates a steady acceleration of the input shock to the detonation velocity, implying significant reaction growth at the shock front. This is in contrast to the behaviour of most high density pressed PBXs which show little growth in shock front velocity before transit to detonation. The experimentally observed initiation behaviour is compared to that predicted by a simple JWL++ reactive burn model for the granular NH4 NO3 explosive which has been fitted to other detonics experiments on this material.

Chemical Reactivity Test (CRT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zaka, F.

The Chemical Reactivity Test (CRT) is used to determine the thermal stability of High Explosives (HEs) and chemical compatibility between (HEs) and alien materials. The CRT is one of the small-scale safety tests performed on HE at the High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF).

The Detection And Analysis Of Blasting Problems Encountered In A Colliery Using High Speed Photography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rorke, A. J.; Kohler, E. W.

1987-09-01

Premature initiation of ANFO (an explosive mixture of Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil) at a large colliery, near Witbank, was first detected from routine high speed films taken of large mid-burden, and overburden blasts. The analysis of these films shows that the rapid migration of very hot gasses through cracks ahead of the blast may have caused the explosive to initiate prematurely. The problem was not seen in the less competent overburden rocks. A less sensitive explosive has been successfully tried. The assessment of these blasts using high speed photography is discussed.

Analysis of Xrage and Flag High Explosive Burn Models with PBX 9404 Cylinder Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrier, Danielle; Fessenden, Julianna; Ramsey, Scott

2016-11-01

High explosives are energetic materials that release their chemical energy in a short interval of time. They are able to generate extreme heat and pressure by a shock driven chemical decomposition reaction, which makes them valuable tools that must be understood. This study investigated the accuracy and performance of two Los Alamos National Laboratory hydrodynamic codes, which are used to determine the behavior of explosives within a variety of systems: xRAGE which utilizes an Eulerian mesh, and FLAG with utilizes a Lagrangian mesh. Various programmed and reactive burn models within both codes were tested, using a copper cylinder expansion test. The test was based off of a recent experimental setup which contained the plastic bonded explosive PBX 9404. Detonation velocity versus time curves for this explosive were obtained from the experimental velocity data collected using Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). The modeled results from each of the burn models tested were then compared to one another and to the experimental results using the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state parameters that were determined and adjusted from the experimental tests. This study is important to validate the accuracy of our high explosive burn models and the calibrated EOS parameters, which are important for many research topics in physical sciences.

Sorbent Film-Coated Passive Samplers for Explosives Vapour Detection Part A: Materials Optimisation and Integration with Analytical Technologies.

PubMed

McEneff, Gillian L; Murphy, Bronagh; Webb, Tony; Wood, Dan; Irlam, Rachel; Mills, Jim; Green, David; Barron, Leon P

2018-04-11

A new thin-film passive sampler is presented as a low resource dependent and discrete continuous monitoring solution for explosives-related vapours. Using 15 mid-high vapour pressure explosives-related compounds as probes, combinations of four thermally stable substrates and six film-based sorbents were evaluated. Meta-aramid and phenylene oxide-based materials showed the best recoveries from small voids (~70%). Analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-high resolution accurate mass spectrometry which also enabled tentative identification of new targets from the acquired data. Preliminary uptake kinetics experiments revealed plateau concentrations on the device were reached between 3-5 days. Compounds used in improvised explosive devices, such as triacetone triperoxide, were detected within 1 hour and were stably retained by the sampler for up to 7 days. Sampler performance was consistent for 22 months after manufacture. Lastly, its direct integration with currently in-service explosives screening equipment including ion mobility spectrometry and thermal desorption mass spectrometry is presented. Following exposure to several open environments and targeted interferences, sampler performance was subsequently assessed and potential interferences identified. High-security building and area monitoring for concealed explosives using such cost-effective and discrete passive samplers can add extra assurance to search routines while minimising any additional burden on personnel or everyday site operation.

Explosive Bolt Dual-Initiated from One Side

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snow, Eric

2011-01-01

An explosive bolt has been developed that has a one-sided dual initiation train all the way down to the pyro charge for high reliability, while still allowing the other side of the bolt to remain in place after actuation to act as a thermal seal in an extremely high-temperature environment. This lightweight separation device separates at a single fracture plane, and has as much redundancy/reliability as possible. The initiation train comes into the explosive bolt from one side.

Tritium distribution in ground water around large underground fusion explosions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stead, F.W.

1963-01-01

Tritium will be released in significant amounts from large underground nuclear fusion explosions in the Plowshare Program. The tritium could become highly concentrated in nearby ground waters, and could be of equal or more importance as a possible contaminant than other long-lived fission-product and induced radionuclides. Behavior of tritiated water in particular hydrologic and geologic environments, as illustrated by hypothetical explosions in dolomite and tuff, must be carefully evaluated to predict under what conditions high groundwater concentrations of tritium might occur.

New developments of the CARTE thermochemical code: A two-phase equation of state for nanocarbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubois, Vincent; Pineau, Nicolas

2016-01-01

We developed a new equation of state (EOS) for nanocarbons in the thermodynamic range of high explosives detonation products (up to 50 GPa and 4000 K). This EOS was fitted to an extensive database of thermodynamic properties computed by molecular dynamics simulations of nanodiamonds and nano-onions with the LCBOPII potential. We reproduced the detonation properties of a variety of high explosives with the CARTE thermochemical code, including carbon-poor and carbon-rich explosives, with excellent accuracy.

The application of single particle aerosol mass spectrometry for the detection and identification of high explosives and chemical warfare agents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martin, Audrey Noreen

2006-01-01

Single Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (SPAMS) was evaluated as a real-time detection technique for single particles of high explosives. Dual-polarity time-of-flight mass spectra were obtained for samples of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN); peaks indicative of each compound were identified. Composite explosives, Comp B, Semtex 1A, and Semtex 1H were also analyzed, and peaks due to the explosive components of each sample were present in each spectrum. Mass spectral variability with laser fluence is discussed. The ability of the SPAMS system to identify explosive components in a single complex explosive particle (~1 pg) without the need formore » consumables is demonstrated. SPAMS was also applied to the detection of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) simulants in the liquid and vapor phases. Liquid simulants for sarin, cyclosarin, tabun, and VX were analyzed; peaks indicative of each simulant were identified. Vapor phase CWA simulants were adsorbed onto alumina, silica, Zeolite, activated carbon, and metal powders which were directly analyzed using SPAMS. The use of metal powders as adsorbent materials was especially useful in the analysis of triethyl phosphate (TEP), a VX stimulant, which was undetectable using SPAMS in the liquid phase. The capability of SPAMS to detect high explosives and CWA simulants using one set of operational conditions is established.« less

Identification of inorganic improvised explosive devices by analysis of postblast residues using portable capillary electrophoresis instrumentation and indirect photometric detection with a light-emitting diode.

PubMed

Hutchinson, Joseph P; Evenhuis, Christopher J; Johns, Cameron; Kazarian, Artaches A; Breadmore, Michael C; Macka, Miroslav; Hilder, Emily F; Guijt, Rosanne M; Dicinoski, Greg W; Haddad, Paul R

2007-09-15

A commercial portable capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument has been used to separate inorganic anions and cations found in postblast residues from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of the type used frequently in terrorism attacks. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the type of explosive used. The CE instrument was modified for use with an in-house miniaturized light-emitting diode (LED) detector to enable sensitive indirect photometric detection to be employed for the detection of 15 anions (acetate, benzoate, carbonate, chlorate, chloride, chlorite, cyanate, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, perchlorate, phosphate, sulfate, thiocyanate, thiosulfate) and 12 cations (ammonium, monomethylammonium, ethylammonium, potassium, sodium, barium, strontium, magnesium, manganese, calcium, zinc, lead) as the target analytes. These ions are known to be present in postblast residues from inorganic IEDs constructed from ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mixtures, black powder, and chlorate/perchlorate/sugar mixtures. For the analysis of cations, a blue LED (470 nm) was used in conjunction with the highly absorbing cationic dye, chrysoidine (absorption maximum at 453 nm). A nonaqueous background electrolyte comprising 10 mM chrysoidine in methanol was found to give greatly improved baseline stability in comparison to aqueous electrolytes due to the increased solubility of chrysoidine and its decreased adsorption onto the capillary wall. Glacial acetic acid (0.7% v/v) was added to ensure chrysoidine was protonated and to enhance separation selectivity by means of complexation with transition metal ions. The 12 target cations were separated in less than 9.5 min with detection limits of 0.11-2.30 mg/L (calculated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The anions separation system utilized a UV LED (370 nm) in conjunction with an aqueous chromate electrolyte (absorption maximum at 371 nm) consisting of 10 mM chromium(VI) oxide and 10 mM sodium chromate, buffered with 40 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane at pH 8.05. All 15 target anions were baseline separated in less than 9 min with limits of detection ranging from 0.24 to 1.15 mg/L (calculated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). Use of the portable instrumentation in the field was demonstrated by analyzing postblast residues in a mobile laboratory immediately after detonation of the explosive devices. Profiling the ionic composition of the inorganic IEDs allowed identification of the chemicals used in their construction.

Real time recognition of explosophorous group and explosive material using laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy associated with novel algorithm for time and frequency domain analysis.

PubMed

El-Sharkawy, Yasser H; Elbasuney, Sherif

2018-06-07

Energy-rich bonds such as nitrates (NO 3 - ) and percholorates (ClO 4 - ) have an explosive nature; they are frequently encountered in high energy materials. These bonds encompass two highly electronegative atoms competing for electrons. Common explosive materials including urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium percholorates were subjected to photoacoustic spectroscopy. The captured signal was processed using novel digital algorithm designed for time and frequency domain analysis. Frequency domain analysis offered not only characteristic frequencies for NO 3 - and ClO 4 - groups; but also characteristic fingerprint spectra (based on thermal, acoustical, and optical properties) for different materials. The main outcome of this study is that phase-shift domain analysis offered an outstanding signature for each explosive material, with novel discrimination between explosive and similar non-explosive material. Photoacoustic spectroscopy offered different characteristic signatures that can be employed for real time detection with stand-off capabilities. There is no two materials could have the same optical, thermal, and acoustical properties. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, Formulation and Evaluation of New Less Sensitive Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tappan, Bryce; Bowden, Patrick; Lebrun, Robert; Shorty, Marvin; Leonard, Philip; Lichthardt, Joseph; Schmitt, Matthew; Manner, Virginia; Hill, Larry

2017-06-01

The search for insensitive high-explosive (IHE) materials has been on-going for numerous decades at LANL, with numerous advances made in synthesis of new molecules with promising properties. In this study, we have evaluated novel formulations of existing explosives with the intention of developing high explosives with small critical diameters and low shock sensitivities while maintaining high performance. Specifically, 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (DADNE or FOX-7) or 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-azoxyfurazan (DAAF) was formulated with 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO) to determine what weight percentage of added DADNE or DAAF yielded steady detonation near predicted values at 12.7 mm diameter. Preparation, purification and characterization have been performed for two mono-molecular explosives, 5,7-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (CL-14) and 1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (m-RDX or mononitroso-RDX). A new, one-pot synthesis of m-RDX has produced a 59% yield with limited RDX contamination. Results from small-scale sensitivity tests on CL-14, m-RDX and NTO-based formulations, and rate sticks will be discussed.

Performance and Shock Sensitivity Evaluations of Reduced Sensitivity Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowden, Patrick; Tappan, Bryce; Schmitt, Matthew; Lichthardt, Joseph; Hill, Larry

2017-06-01

Making high explosives that possess insensitivity on par with TATB-based plastic bonded explosives (PBXs), while outperforming them, has proven to be a difficult challenge. Many molecules that have challenged TATB have fallen short in either small-scale sensitivity (impact, friction), thermal stability, or possessing a shock sensitivity that is either too high or too low. Recently, an alternative approach to single-molecule-based PBXs has been blending and/or co-crystallizing explosive molecules to address shortcomings of individual components. With this approach in mind, formulations have been prepared containing 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (DADNE or FOX-7) or 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-azoxyfurazan (DAAF) with 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO). Detailed characterization of these mixtures has been described in a concurrent study. Here we focus on in depth performance metrics such as cylinder wall expansion and CJ pressure (via free surface velocity) and shock sensitivity, by small-scale gap-testing, were investigated as a function of weight percentages of the components. Results will be contrasted with known insensitive high explosives.

What factors control the superficial lava dome explosivity?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudon, Georges; Balcone-Boissard, Hélène; Villemant, Benoit; Morgan, Daniel J.

2015-04-01

Dome-forming eruption is a frequent eruptive style; lava domes result from intermittent, slow extrusion of viscous lava. Most dome-forming eruptions produce highly microcrystallized and highly- to almost totally-degassed magmas which have a low explosive potential. During lava dome growth, recurrent collapses of unstable parts are the main destructive process of the lava dome, generating concentrated pyroclastic density currents (C-PDC) channelized in valleys. These C-PDC have a high, but localized, damage potential that largely depends on the collapsed volume. Sometimes, a dilute ash cloud surge develops at the top of the concentrated flow with an increased destructive effect because it may overflow ridges and affect larger areas. In some cases, large lava dome collapses can induce a depressurization of the magma within the conduit, leading to vulcanian explosions. By contrast, violent, laterally directed, explosions may occur at the base of a growing lava dome: this activity generates dilute and turbulent, highly-destructive, pyroclastic density currents (D-PDC), with a high velocity and propagation poorly dependent on the topography. Numerous studies on lava dome behaviors exist, but the triggering of lava dome explosions is poorly understood. Here, seven dome-forming eruptions are investigated: in the Lesser Antilles arc: Montagne Pelée, Martinique (1902-1905, 1929-1932 and 650 y. BP eruptions), Soufrière Hills, Montserrat; in Guatemala, Santiaguito (1929 eruption); in La Chaîne des Puys, France (Puy de Dome and Puy Chopine eruptions). We propose a new model of superficial lava-dome explosivity based upon a textural and geochemical study (vesicularity, microcrystallinity, cristobalite distribution, residual water contents, crystal transit times) of clasts produced by these key eruptions. Superficial explosion of a growing lava dome may be promoted through porosity reduction caused by both vesicle flattening due to gas escape and syn-eruptive cristobalite precipitation. Both processes generate an impermeable and rigid carapace allowing overpressurisation of the inner parts of the lava dome by the rapid input of vesiculated magma batches. The thickness of the cristobalite-rich carapace is an inverse function of the external lava dome surface area. Thus the probability of a superficial lava dome explosion inversely depends on its size; explosive activity more likely occurs at the onset of the lava dome extrusion in agreement with observations. We evidence a two-step process in magma ascent with edification of the lava dome that may be accompanied by a rapid ascent of an undegassed batch of magma some days prior the explosive activity. This new result is of interest for the whole volcanological community and for risk management.

Construction of a High Temporal-spectral Resolution Spectrometer for Detection of Fast Transients from Observations of the Sun at 1.4 GHz.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casillas-Perez, G. A.; Jeyakumar, S.; Perez-Enriquez, R.

2014-12-01

Transients explosive events with time durations from nanoseconds to several hours, are observed in the Sun at high energy bands such as gamma ray and xray. In the radio band, several types of radio bursts are commonly detected from the ground. A few observations of the Sun in the past have also detected a new class of fast transients which are known to have short-live electromagnetic emissions with durations less than 100 ms. The mechanisms that produce such fast transiets remain unclear. Observations of such fast transients over a wide bandwidth is necessary to uderstand the underlying physical process that produce such fast transients. Due to their very large flux densities, fast radio transients can be observed at high time resolution using small antennas in combination with digital signal processing techniques. In this work we report the progress of an spectrometer that is currently in construction at the Observatorio de la Luz of the Universidad de Guanajuato. The instrument which will have the purpose of detecting solar fast radio transients, involves the use of digital devices such as FPGA and ADC cards, in addition with a receiver with high temporal-spectral resolution centered at 1.4 GHz and a pair of 2.3 m satellite dish.

High-speed velocity measurements on an EFI-system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prinse, W. C.; van't Hof, P. G.; Cheng, L. K.; Scholtes, J. H. G.

2007-01-01

For the development of an Exploding Foil Initiator for Insensitive Munitions applications the following topics are of interest: the electrical circuit, the exploding foil, the velocity of the flyer, the driver explosive, the secondary flyer and the acceptor explosive. Several parameters of the EFI have influences on the velocity of the flyer. To investigate these parameters a Fabry-Perot Velocity Interferometer System (F-PVIS) has been used. The light to and from the flyer is transported by a multimode fibre terminated with a GRIN-lens. By this method the velocity of very tiny objects (0.1 mm), can be measured. The velocity of flyer can be recorded with nanosecond resolution, depending on the Fabry-Perot etalon and the streak camera. With this equipment the influence of the dimensions of the exploding foil and the flyer on the velocity and the acceleration of the flyer are investigated. Also the integrity of the flyer during flight can be analyzed. To characterize the explosive material, to be used as driver explosive in EFI's, the initiation behaviour of the explosive has been investigated by taking pictures of the explosion with a high speed framing and streak camera. From these pictures the initiation distance and the detonation behaviour of the explosive has been analyzed. Normally, the driver explosive initiates the acceptor explosive (booster) by direct contact. This booster explosive is embedded in the main charge of the munitions. The combination of initiator, booster explosive and main charge explosive is called the detonation train. In this research the possibility of initiation of the booster by an intermediate flyer is investigated. This secondary flyer can be made of different materials, like aluminium, steel and polyester with different sizes. With the aid of the F-PVIS the acceleration of the secondary flyer is investigated. This reveals the influence of the thickness and density of the flyer on the acceleration and final velocity. Under certain circumstances the flyer breaks up in several parts and several velocities at the same time have been recorded. Several flyer materials and dimensions exist that are able to initiate very insensitive explosives like TATB.

The extimated presence of differentiated higly explosive magmas beneath Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei: evidence from geochemical and textural studies.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pappalardo, Lucia; Mastrolorenzo, Giuseppe

2010-05-01

Highly catastrophic explosive eruptions are supplied by Si-rich magmas, generated at shallower level in crust by the evolution of mantle liquids. The timescale of these evolution processes is a crucial factor, because of its control on the length of volcano repose interval leading to high explosive events. Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius alkaline volcanic systems, located respectively at few kilometers west and east of Neapolitan metropolitan area, produced a variety of eruptions ranging from not explosive lava flows and domes to highly destructive eruptions. Both these high risk volcanoes are in repose time since the last eruption occurred in the 1538 and 1944 BP, respectively. Since that time, the volcanoes experienced fumarolic activity, low level of seismicity with rare earthquakes swarms, as well as two bradyseismic crisis (1969-1972 and 1982-1984) localized in the center of Campi Flegrei caldera, that generated a net uplift of 3.5 m around the town of Pozzuoli. A wide low velocity layer interpreted as an extended magmatic body has been detected at 8-10 km depth beneath these volcanoes by seismic data. The capability of this reservoir to erupt explosively again strongly depends on magma differentiation degree, therefore the knowledge of the time lapse necessary at not explosive mafic liquids to differentiate toward explosive magmas is very crucial to predict the size of a possible short-term future eruption in Campanian area. Our petrologic data indicate that a multi-depth supply system was active under the Campanian Plain since 39 ka. Fractional crystallization during magma cooling associated with upward migration of less dense evolved liquids appears to be the prevalent differentiation process. Our results indicate that huge steam exolution occurred during the late stage of trachyte and phonolite crystallization thus accounting for the high Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of eruptions supplied by these melts. Moreover our CSD data on phenocrysts reveal rapid crystallization and differentiation time for alkaline Campanian magmas (in the order of decades to few centuries). This evidence implies that the 400 km2 partial melting zone detected by tomography study at 8-10 km depth beneath Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei, should consist of differentiated magma already capable to produce also large scale (plinian) explosive events in case of renewal of the activity from the present closed-conduit state.

Military applications and examples of near-surface seismic surface wave methods (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

sloan, S.; Stevens, R.

2013-12-01

Although not always widely known or publicized, the military uses a variety of geophysical methods for a wide range of applications--some that are already common practice in the industry while others are truly novel. Some of those applications include unexploded ordnance detection, general site characterization, anomaly detection, countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and security monitoring, to name a few. Techniques used may include, but are not limited to, ground penetrating radar, seismic, electrical, gravity, and electromagnetic methods. Seismic methods employed include surface wave analysis, refraction tomography, and high-resolution reflection methods. Although the military employs geophysical methods, that does not necessarily mean that those methods enable or support combat operations--often times they are being used for humanitarian applications within the military's area of operations to support local populations. The work presented here will focus on the applied use of seismic surface wave methods, including multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and backscattered surface waves, often in conjunction with other methods such as refraction tomography or body-wave diffraction analysis. Multiple field examples will be shown, including explosives testing, tunnel detection, pre-construction site characterization, and cavity detection.

Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance

DOEpatents

Muenchausen, Ross E.; Rivera, Thomas; Sanchez, John A.

2003-05-06

Method for laser machining explosives and related articles. A laser beam is directed at a surface portion of a mass of high explosive to melt and/or vaporize the surface portion while directing a flow of gas at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion. The gas flow sends the melted and/or vaporized explosive away from the charge of explosive that remains. The method also involves splitting the casing of a munition having an encased explosive. The method includes rotating a munition while directing a laser beam to a surface portion of the casing of an article of ordnance. While the beam melts and/or vaporizes the surface portion, a flow of gas directed at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion sends it away from the remaining portion of ordnance. After cutting through the casing, the beam then melts and/or vaporizes portions of the encased explosive and the gas stream sends the melted/vaporized explosive away from the ordnance. The beam is continued until it splits the article, after which the encased explosive, now accessible, can be removed safely for recycle or disposal.

Sources and Radiation Patterns of Volcano-Acoustic Signals Investigated with Field-Scale Chemical Explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowman, D. C.; Lees, J. M.; Taddeucci, J.; Graettinger, A. H.; Sonder, I.; Valentine, G.

2014-12-01

We investigate the processes that give rise to complex acoustic signals during volcanic blasts by monitoring buried chemical explosions with infrasound and audio range microphones, strong motion sensors, and high speed imagery. Acoustic waveforms vary with scaled depth of burial (SDOB, units in meters per cube root of joules), ranging from high amplitude, impulsive, gas expansion dominated signals at low SDOB to low amplitude, longer duration, ground motion dominated signals at high SDOB. Typically, the sudden upward acceleration of the substrate above the blast produces the first acoustic arrival, followed by a second pulse due to the eruption of pressurized gas at the surface. Occasionally, a third overpressure occurs when displaced material decelerates upon impact with the ground. The transition between ground motion dominated and gas release dominated acoustics ranges between 0.0038-0.0018 SDOB, respectively. For example, one explosion registering an SDOB=0.0031 produced two overpressure pulses of approximately equal amplitude, one due to ground motion, the other to gas release. Recorded volcano infrasound has also identified distinct ground motion and gas release components during explosions at Sakurajima, Santiaguito, and Karymsky volcanoes. Our results indicate that infrasound records may provide a proxy for the depth and energy of these explosions. Furthermore, while magma fragmentation models indicate the possibility of several explosions during a single vulcanian eruption (Alidibirov, Bull Volc., 1994), our results suggest that a single explosion can also produce complex acoustic signals. Thus acoustic records alone cannot be used to distinguish between single explosions and multiple closely-spaced blasts at volcanoes. Results from a series of lateral blasts during the 2014 field experiment further indicates whether vent geometry can produce directional acoustic radiation patterns like those observed at Tungarahua volcano (Kim et al., GJI, 2012). Beside infrasonic radiation, our multiparametric dataset also allowed us to investigate other acoustic processes relevant for explosive eruptions, including shock-wave generation and audible sound radiation, and to link them to the starting conditions and evolution of the blasts.

Production and Distribution of {sup 44}Ti and {sup 56}Ni in a Three-dimensional Supernova Model Resembling Cassiopeia A

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wongwathanarat, Annop; Janka, Hans-Thomas; Müller, Ewald

The spatial and velocity distributions of nuclear species synthesized in the innermost regions of core-collapse supernovae can yield important clues about explosion asymmetries and the operation of the still disputed explosion mechanism. Recent observations of radioactive {sup 44}Ti with high-energy satellite telescopes ( Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array [ NuSTAR ], INTEGRAL ) have measured gamma-ray line details, which provide direct evidence of large-scale explosion asymmetries in SN 1987A and in Cassiopeia A (Cas A) even by mapping of the spatial brightness distribution ( NuSTAR ). Here we discuss a 3D simulation of a neutrino-driven explosion, using a parameterized neutrino engine,more » whose {sup 44}Ti distribution is mostly concentrated in one hemisphere pointing opposite to the neutron star (NS) kick velocity. Both exhibit intriguing resemblance to the observed morphology of the Cas A remnant, although neither the progenitor nor the explosion was fine-tuned for a perfect match. Our results demonstrate that the asymmetries observed in this remnant can, in principle, be accounted for by a neutrino-driven explosion, and that the high {sup 44}Ti abundance in Cas A may be explained without invoking rapid rotation or a jet-driven explosion, because neutrino-driven explosions generically eject large amounts of high-entropy matter. The recoil acceleration of the NS is connected to mass ejection asymmetries and is opposite to the direction of the stronger explosion, fully compatible with the gravitational tugboat mechanism. Our results also imply that Cas A and SN 1987A could possess similarly “one-sided” Ti and Fe asymmetries, with the difference that Cas A is viewed from a direction with large inclination angle to the NS motion, whereas the NS in SN 1987A should have a dominant velocity component pointing toward us.« less

Increasing selectivity for TNT-based explosive detection by synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy with quantum yields of selected aromatic amines.

PubMed

Sheaff, Chrystal N; Eastwood, Delyle; Wai, Chien M

2007-01-01

The detection of explosive material is at the forefront of current analytical problems. A detection method is desired that is not restricted to detecting only explosive materials, but is also capable of identifying the origin and type of explosive. It is essential that a detection method have the selectivity to distinguish among compounds in a mixture of explosives. The nitro compounds found in explosives have low fluorescent yields or are considered to be non-fluorescent; however, after reduction, the amino compounds exhibit relatively high fluorescence. We discuss how to increase selectivity of explosive detection using fluorescence; this includes synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy with appropriate smoothing. By implementing synchronous luminescence and derivative spectroscopy, we were able to resolve the reduction products of one major TNT-based explosive compound, 2,4-diaminotoluene, and the reduction products of other minor TNT-based explosives in a mixture. We also report for the first time the quantum yields of these important compounds. Relative quantum yields are useful in establishing relative fluorescence intensities and are an important spectroscopic measurement of molecules. Our approach allows for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection with the discrimination necessary to distinguish among various explosives.

Process and apparatus for producing ultrafine explosive particles

DOEpatents

McGowan, Michael J.

1992-10-20

A method and an improved eductor apparatus for producing ultrafine explosive particles is disclosed. The explosive particles, which when incorporated into a binder system, have the ability to propagate in thin sheets, and have very low impact sensitivity and very high propagation sensitivity. A stream of a solution of the explosive dissolved in a solvent is thoroughly mixed with a stream of an inert nonsolvent by obtaining nonlaminar flow of the streams by applying pressure against the flow of the nonsolvent stream, to thereby diverge the stream as it contacts the explosive solution, and violently agitating the combined stream to rapidly precipitate the explosive particles from the solution in the form of generally spheroidal, ultrafine particles. The two streams are injected coaxially through continuous, concentric orifices of a nozzle into a mixing chamber. Preferably, the nonsolvent stream is injected centrally of the explosive solution stream. The explosive solution stream is injected downstream of and surrounds the nonsolvent solution stream for a substantial distance prior to being ejected into the mixing chamber.

Broadband Evaluation of DPRK Explosions, Collapse Event, and Induced Aftershocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayeda, K.; Roman-Nieves, J. I.; Wagner, G.; Jeon, Y. S.

2017-12-01

We report on the past 6 declared DPRK nuclear explosions, a collapse event, and recent associated induced shear dislocation sources using long-period waveform modeling, direct regional phases, and stable P-coda and S-coda spectral ratios. We find that the recent September 3rd, 2017 explosion is well modeled with an MM71 explosion source model at normal scale depth, but the previous 5 smaller yield explosions exhibit much larger relative high frequency radiation, strongly suggesting they are all over buried by varying amounts. The collapse event that occurred 8 minutes following the September 3rd DPRK explosion shares significant similarities with a number of NTS collapse events for explosions of comparable yield, both in absolute amplitude and spectral fall-off. A large number of smaller sources have been observed, which from stable coda spectral analysis and waveform modeling, are consistent with shallow shear dislocations likely caused by stress redistribution following the past nuclear explosions. We conclude with testing of a new discriminant that is specific to this region.

Hydrodynamic code calculations of airblast for an explosive test in a shallow underground storage magazine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennedy, Lynn W.; Schneider, Kenneth D.

1990-07-01

A large-sclae test of the detonation of 20,000 kilograms of high explosive inside a shallow underground tunnel/chamber complex, simulating an ammunition storage magazine, was carried out in August, 1988, at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California. The test was jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board; the Safety Services Organisation of the Ministry of Defence, United Kingdom; and the Norwegian Defence Construction Service. The overall objective of the test was to determine the hazardous effects (debris, airblast, and ground motion) produced in this configuration. Actual storage magazines have considerably more overburden and are expected to contain and accidental detonation. The test configuration, on the other hand, was expected to rupture, and to scatter a significant amount of rocks, dirt and debris. Among the observations and measurements made in this test was study of airblast propagation within the storage chamber, in the access tunnel, and outside, on the tunnel ramp, prior to overburden venting. The results of these observations are being used to evaluate and validate current quantity-distance standards for the underground storage of munitions near inabited structures. As part of the prediction effort for this test, to assist with transducer ranging in the access tunnel and with post-test interpretation of the results, S-CUBED was asked to perform two-dimensional inviscid hydrodynamic code calculations of the explosive detonation and subsequent blastwave propagation in the interior chamber and access tunnel. This was accomplished using the S-CUBED Hydrodynamic Advanced Research Code (SHARC). In this paper, details of the calculations configuration will be presented. These will be compared to the actual as-built internal configuration of the tunnel/chamber complex. Results from the calculations, including contour plots and airblast waveforms, will be shown. The latter will be compared with experimental records obtained at several points within the tunnel.

Mapping of explosive contamination using GC/chemiluminescence and ion mobility spectrometry techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Carla J.; Glenn, D. F.; Hartenstein, Steven D.; Hallowell, Susan F.

1998-12-01

Recent efforts at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) have included mapping explosive contamination resulting from manufacturing and carrying improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Two types of trace detection equipment were used to determine levels of contamination from designated sampling areas. A total of twenty IEDs were constructed: ten using TNT and ten using C-4. Two test scenarios were used. The first scenario tracked the activities of a manufacturer who straps the device onto an independent courier. The courier then performed a series of activities to simulate waiting in an airport. The second scenario tracked the activities of a manufacturer who also served as the courier. A sample set for each test consisted of thirty samples from various locations on each IED manufacturer, thirty from each IED courier, twenty-five from the manufacturing area, and twenty-five from the courier area. Pre-samples and post-samples were collected for analysis with each detection technique. Samples analyzed by gc/chemiluminescence were taken by swiping a teflon- coated sampling swipe across the surface of the sampling area to pick up any explosive particles. Samples analyzed by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) were taken from the clothing of the manufacturer and courier by vacuuming the surface and collecting particulates on a fiberglass filter. Samples for IMS analysis from the manufacturing and courier rooms were taken by wiping a cotton sampling swipe across the surface area. Currently, building IEDs and monitoring the explosive contamination is being directed toward detection with portal monitors.

Seismic Analysis of Three Bomb Explosions in Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Necmioglu, O.; Semin, K. U.; Kocak, S.; Destici, C.; Teoman, U.; Ozel, N. M.

2016-12-01

Seismic analysis of three vehicle-installed bomb explosions occurred on 13 March 2016 in Ankara, 12 May 2016 in Diyarbakır and 9 July 2016 in Mardin have been conducted using data from the nearest stations (LOD, DYBB and MAZI) of the Boğaziçi University - Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's (KOERI) seismic network and compared with low-magnitude earthquakes in similar distance based on phase readings and frequency content. Amplitude spectra has been compared through Fourier transformation and earthquake-explosion frequency discrimination has been performed using various filter bands. Time-domain and spectral analysis have been performed using Geotool software provided by CTBTO. Local magnitude (ML) values have been calculated for each explosion by removing instrument-response and adding Wood-Anderson type instrument response. Approximate amount of explosives used in these explosions have been determined using empirical methods of Koper (2002). Preliminary results indicated that 16 tons TNT equivalent explosives have been used in 12 May 2016 Diyarbakır explosion, which is very much in accordance with the media reports claiming 15 tons of TNT. Our analysis for 9 July 2016 Mardin explosion matched the reported 5 tons of explosives. Results concerning 13 March 2016 Ankara explosion indicated that approximately 1,7 ton of TNT equivalent explosives were used in the attack whereas security and intelligence reports claimed 300 kg explosives as a combination of TNT, RDX and ammonium nitrate. The overestimated results obtained in our analysis for the Ankara explosion may be related due to i) high relative effectiveness factor of the RDX component of the explosive ii) inefficiency of Koper (2002) method in lower yields (since the method was developed using explosions with yields of 3-12 tons of TNT), iii) combination of both.

Tool and process for miniature explosive joining of tubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Bailey, James W. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A tool and process to be used in the explosive joining of tubes is disclosed. The tool consists of an initiator, a tool form, and a ribbon explosive. The assembled tool is a compact, storable, and safe device suitable for explosive joining of small, lightweight tubes down to 0.20 inch in diameter. The invention is inserted into either another tube or a tube plate. A shim or standoff between the two surfaces to be welded is necessary. Initiation of the explosive inside the tube results in a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding wherein electron-sharing linkups are formed.

Characterization of detonation products of RSI-007 explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ager, Timothy; Neel, Christopher; Breaux, Bradley; Vineski, Christopher; Welle, Eric; Lambert, David; Chhabildas, Lalit

2012-03-01

PDV and VISAR have been employed to characterize the detonation products of a high-purity CL-20 based explosive. The explosive was part of an exploding foil initiator (EFI) detonator assembly in which the explosive was contained within a Kovar (Fe-Ni-Co alloy) cup. The back surface of the Kovar serves as the witness plate for interferometry measurements. Detailed reverberations corresponding to shock arrival and release are recorded on the witness plate and the isentropic release path of the explosive is inferred though the velocity history. Two separate window materials are bonded to the Kovar cup in subsequent experiments and are used to further refine the release states.

Gamma-resonance Contraband Detection using a high current tandem accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Milton, B. F.; Beis, J.; Dale, D.

1999-04-26

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by {sup 14}N of gammas produced using {sup 13}C(p,{gamma}){sup 14}N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non-resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerablemore » confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H{sup -} tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.« less

A High Current Tandem Accelerator for Gamma-Resonance Contraband Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milton, Bruce

1997-05-01

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by ^14N of gammas produced using ^13C(p,γ)^14N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non -resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerable confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H^- tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.

High-Speed Photography of Detonation Propagation in Dynamically Precompressed Liquid Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petel, Oren; Higgins, Andrew; Yoshinaka, Akio; Zhang, Fan

2007-06-01

The propagation of detonation in shock compressed nitromethane was observed with a high speed framing camera. The test explosive, nitromethane, was compressed by a reverberating shock wave to pressures on the order of 10 GPa prior to being detonated by a secondary detonation event. The pressure and density in the test explosive prior to detonation was determined using two methods: manganin strain gauge measurements and LS-DYNA simulations. The velocity of the detonation front was determined from consecutive frames and correlated to the density of the explosive post-reverberating shock wave and prior to being detonated. Observing detonation propagation under these non-ambient conditions provides data which can be useful in the validation of equation of state models.

Predicting the Plate Dent Test Output in Order to Assess the Performance of Condensed High Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frem, Dany

2017-01-01

In the present study, a relationship is proposed that is capable of predicting the output of the plate dent test. It is shown that the initial density ?; condensed phase heat of formation ?; the number of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O); and the composition molecular weight (MW) are the most important parameters needed in order to accurately predict the absolute dent depth ? produced on 1018 cold-rolled steel by a detonating organic explosive. The estimated ? values can be used to predict the detonation pressure (P) of high explosives; furthermore, we show that a correlation exists between ? and the Gurney velocity ? parameter. The new correlation is used to accurately estimate ? for several C-H-N-O explosive compositions.

49 CFR 174.110 - Car magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Car magazine. 174.110 Section 174.110...) Materials § 174.110 Car magazine. When specially authorized by the carrier, Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in quantity not exceeding 68 kg (150 pounds) may be carried in construction or repair cars if the...

49 CFR 174.110 - Car magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Car magazine. 174.110 Section 174.110...) Materials § 174.110 Car magazine. When specially authorized by the carrier, Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in quantity not exceeding 68 kg (150 pounds) may be carried in construction or repair cars if the...

49 CFR 174.110 - Car magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Car magazine. 174.110 Section 174.110...) Materials § 174.110 Car magazine. When specially authorized by the carrier, Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in quantity not exceeding 68 kg (150 pounds) may be carried in construction or repair cars if the...

49 CFR 174.110 - Car magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Car magazine. 174.110 Section 174.110...) Materials § 174.110 Car magazine. When specially authorized by the carrier, Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in quantity not exceeding 68 kg (150 pounds) may be carried in construction or repair cars if the...

49 CFR 174.110 - Car magazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Car magazine. 174.110 Section 174.110...) Materials § 174.110 Car magazine. When specially authorized by the carrier, Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in quantity not exceeding 68 kg (150 pounds) may be carried in construction or repair cars if the...

27 CFR 555.103 - Transactions among licensees/permittees and transactions among licensees and holders of user...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... organization showing the name, address, and date and place of birth of each representative or agent. A licensee... explosive materials, e.g., resale, mining, quarrying, agriculture, construction, sport rocketry, road... certified statement of intended use must specify the name, address, date and place of birth, and social...

33 CFR 159.95 - Safety.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Safety. 159.95 Section 159.95... SANITATION DEVICES Design, Construction, and Testing § 159.95 Safety. (a) Each device must— (1) Be free of... explosion or over pressurization as a result of an accumulation of gases; and (3) Meet all other safety...

A verification and validation effort for high explosives at Los Alamos National Lab (u)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scovel, Christina A; Menikoff, Ralph S

2009-01-01

We have started a project to verify and validate ASC codes used to simulate detonation waves in high explosives. Since there are no non-trivial analytic solutions, we are going to compare simulated results with experimental data that cover a wide range of explosive phenomena. The intent is to compare both different codes and different high explosives (HE) models. The first step is to test the products equation of state used for the HE models, For this purpose, the cylinder test, flyer plate and plate-push experiments are being used. These experiments sample different regimes in thermodynamic phase space: the CJ isentropemore » for the cylinder tests, the isentrope behind an overdriven detonation wave for the flyer plate experiment, and expansion following a reflected CJ detonation for the plate-push experiment, which is sensitive to the Gruneisen coefficient. The results of our findings for PBX 9501 are presented here.« less

High pressure-resistant nonincendive emulsion explosive

DOEpatents

Ruhe, Thomas C.; Rao, Pilaka P.

1994-01-01

An improved emulsion explosive composition including hollow microspheres/bulking agents having high density and high strength. The hollow microspheres/bulking agents have true particle densities of about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter or greater and include glass, siliceous, ceramic and synthetic resin microspheres, expanded minerals, and mixtures thereof. The preferred weight percentage of hollow microspheres/bulking agents in the composition ranges from 3.0 to 10.0 A chlorinated paraffin oil, also present in the improved emulsion explosive composition, imparts a higher film strength to the oil phase in the emulsion. The emulsion is rendered nonincendive by the production of sodium chloride in situ via the decomposition of sodium nitrate, a chlorinated paraffin oil, and sodium perchlorate. The air-gap sensitivity is improved by the in situ formation of monomethylamine perchlorate from dissolved monomethylamine nitrate and sodium perchlorate. The emulsion explosive composition can withstand static pressures to 139 bars and dynamic pressure loads on the order of 567 bars.

Interdisciplinary studies of eruption at Chaitén volcano, Chile

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pallister, John S.; Major, Jon J.; Pierson, Thomas C.; Holitt, Richard P.; Lowenstern, Jacob B.; Eichelberger, John C.; Luis, Lara; Moreno, Hugo; Muñoz, Jorge; Castro, Jonathan M.; Iroumé, Andrés; Andreoli, Andrea; Jones, Julia; Swanson, Fred; Crisafulli, Charlie

2010-01-01

High-silica rhyolite magma fuels Earth's largest and most explosive eruptions. Recurrence intervals for such highly explosive eruptions are in the 100- to 100,000-year time range, and there have been few direct observations of such eruptions and their immediate impacts. Consequently, there was keen interest within the volcanology community when the first large eruption of high-silica rhyolite since that of Alaska's Novarupta volcano in 1912 began on 1 May 2008 at Chaitén volcano, southern Chile, a 3-kilometer-diameter caldera volcano with a prehistoric record of rhyolite eruptions [Naranjo and Stern, 2004semi; Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), 2008semi; Carn et al., 2009; Castro and Dingwell, 2009; Lara, 2009; Muñoz et al., 2009]. Vigorous explosions occurred through 8 May 2008, after which explosive activity waned and a new lava dome was extruded.

Wideband acoustic records of explosive volcanic eruptions at Stromboli: New insights on the explosive process and the acoustic source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, A.; Ripepe, M.; Lacanna, G.

2014-06-01

Wideband acoustic waves, both inaudible infrasound (<20 Hz) and audible component (>20 Hz), generated by strombolian eruptions were recorded at 5 kHz and correlated with video images. The high sample rate revealed that in addition to the known initial infrasound, the acoustic signal includes an energetic high-frequency (typically >100 Hz) coda. This audible signal starts before the positive infrasound onset goes negative. We suggest that the infrasonic onset is due to magma doming at the free surface, whereas the immediate high-frequency signal reflects the following explosive discharge flow. During strong gas-rich eruptions, positively skewed shockwave-like components with sharp compression and gradual depression appeared. We suggest that successive bursting of overpressurized small bubbles and the resultant volcanic jets sustain the highly gas-rich explosions and emit the audible sound. When the jet is supersonic, microexplosions of ambient air entrained in the hot jet emit the skewed waveforms.

Cylindrical Explosive Dispersal of Metal Particles: Predictive Calculations in SUpport of Experimental Trials

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-11

motivated by an experimental effort at the High Explosives R&D facility at Eglin AFB that aims to simulate dispersal and afterburning effects using dense...3] Ripley, R.C., Donahue, L., Dunbar, T.E., and Zhang, F., Explosion performance of aluminized TNT in a chamber, Proc. 19th Military Aspects of

Detonation Chemistry: An Investigation of Fluorine as an Oxidizing Moiety in Explosives

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-07

Aluminized Explosives .. .. .... ....... ....... .... 32 Conclusion .. .. ....... ....... ....... .........34 References...heats with a knifeblade heater. A small centrifugal pump circulates water from the jacket through the jacket lid. The thermometric system is a Hewlett...and that the relative flatness of the expansion adiabats for products of aluminized explosives is due to very high vibrational energy (temperature) and

Direct Quantum Mechanical Simulations of Shocked Energetic Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

dynamics (QMD) simulations of shocked pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a conventional high explosive , and the polymeric cubic gauche phase of...nitrogen (cg-N), proposed as an environmentally acceptable energetic alternative to conventional explosive formulations. These simulations, made...stored structural potential energy can be liberated quickly enough, it is possible that explosion can occur with energies several orders of magnitude

The simulation of air recirculation and fire/explosion phenomena within a semiconductor factory.

PubMed

I, Yet-Pole; Chiu, Yi-Long; Wu, Shi-Jen

2009-04-30

The semiconductor industry is the collection of capital-intensive firms that employ a variety of hazardous chemicals and engage in the design and fabrication of semiconductor devices. Owing to its processing characteristics, the fully confined structure of the fabrication area (fab) and the vertical airflow ventilation design restrict the applications of traditional consequence analysis techniques that are commonly used in other industries. The adverse situation also limits the advancement of a fire/explosion prevention design for the industry. In this research, a realistic model of a semiconductor factory with a fab, sub-fabrication area, supply air plenum, and return air plenum structures was constructed and the computational fluid dynamics algorithm was employed to simulate the possible fire/explosion range and its severity. The semiconductor factory has fan module units with high efficiency particulate air filters that can keep the airflow uniform within the cleanroom. This condition was modeled by 25 fans, three layers of porous ceiling, and one layer of porous floor. The obtained results predicted very well the real airflow pattern in the semiconductor factory. Different released gases, leak locations, and leak rates were applied to investigate their influence on the hazard range and severity. Common mitigation measures such as a water spray system and a pressure relief panel were also provided to study their potential effectiveness to relieve thermal radiation and overpressure hazards within a fab. The semiconductor industry can use this simulation procedure as a reference on how to implement a consequence analysis for a flammable gas release accident within an air recirculation cleanroom.

A scheme for the classification of explosions in the chemical process industry.

PubMed

Abbasi, Tasneem; Pasman, H J; Abbasi, S A

2010-02-15

All process industry accidents fall under three broad categories-fire, explosion, and toxic release. Of these fire is the most common, followed by explosions. Within these broad categories occur a large number of sub-categories, each depicting a specific sub-type of a fire/explosion/toxic release. But whereas clear and self-consistent sub-classifications exist for fires and toxic releases, the situation is not as clear vis a vis explosions. In this paper the inconsistencies and/or shortcomings associated with the classification of different types of explosions, which are seen even in otherwise highly authentic and useful reference books on process safety, are reviewed. In its context a new classification is attempted which may, hopefully, provide a frame-of-reference for the future.

Using the spatial distribution and lithology of ballistic blocks to interpret eruption sequence and dynamics: August 6 2012 Upper Te Maari eruption, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breard, E. C. P.; Lube, G.; Cronin, S. J.; Fitzgerald, R.; Kennedy, B.; Scheu, B.; Montanaro, C.; White, J. D. L.; Tost, M.; Procter, J. N.; Moebis, A.

2014-10-01

The ballistic ejection of blocks during explosive eruptions constitutes a major hazard near active volcanoes. Fields of ballistic clasts can provide important clues towards quantifying the energy, dynamics and directionality of explosive events, but detailed datasets are rare. During the 6 August 2012 hydrothermal eruption of Upper Te Maari (Tongariro), New Zealand, three explosions occurred in rapid succession within less than 20 s. The first two produced laterally-directed pyroclastic density currents (PDC), and the final vertical explosion generated an ash plume. Each of these explosions was associated with the ejection of ballistic blocks. We present detailed maps of the resulting 5.1 km2 block impact field and the distribution of the > 2200 impact craters with diameters > 2.5 m. There are two distinct regions of high crater concentration, where crater densities reach more than six times the average background density. These occur at distances of 500-700 m east and 1000-1350 west of a 430-m-long fissure that was created during the eruption. The high-density fields are characterized by a narrow radial spread of < 45° and are located along the proximal transport direction of the pyroclastic density currents. A provenance analysis of ballistic blocks allowed us to reconstruct two different eruptive vents for the explosions. The first two laterally-directed explosions were sourced from the fissure, while the third explosion occurred through the pre-existing Upper Te Maari Crater, generating a roughly axisymmetric shower of ballistics. Stratigraphic relationships between impact craters, PDC and fall deposits suggest that the ballistic blocks were initially coupled with the rapidly expanding gas-particle mixtures that produced the PDCs. Ballistic trajectory modeling, reproducing the lateral extent and main impact density pattern of the western impact field, allows estimation of the vertical expansion angle of the second and largest explosion. The calculations show that the largest proportion of the explosion energy was strongly focused as a narrow and extremely shallow (from - 3 to 15° from the horizontal) laterally expanding hydrothermal blast. The results presented here constitute an important data set for ballistic hazard assessment at Tongariro volcano and they can provide further clues towards better understanding highly energetic laterally directed volcanic explosions at similar hydrothermal fields.

A metric space for Type Ia supernova spectra: a new method to assess explosion scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasdelli, Michele; Hillebrandt, W.; Kromer, M.; Ishida, E. E. O.; Röpke, F. K.; Sim, S. A.; Pakmor, R.; Seitenzahl, I. R.; Fink, M.

2017-04-01

Over the past years, Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have become a major tool to determine the expansion history of the Universe, and considerable attention has been given to, both, observations and models of these events. However, until now, their progenitors are not known. The observed diversity of light curves and spectra seems to point at different progenitor channels and explosion mechanisms. Here, we present a new way to compare model predictions with observations in a systematic way. Our method is based on the construction of a metric space for SN Ia spectra by means of linear principal component analysis, taking care of missing and/or noisy data, and making use of partial least-squares regression to find correlations between spectral properties and photometric data. We investigate realizations of the three major classes of explosion models that are presently discussed: delayed-detonation Chandrasekhar-mass explosions, sub-Chandrasekhar-mass detonations and double-degenerate mergers, and compare them with data. We show that in the principal component space, all scenarios have observed counterparts, supporting the idea that different progenitors are likely. However, all classes of models face problems in reproducing the observed correlations between spectral properties and light curves and colours. Possible reasons are briefly discussed.

Gas chromatographic detection of some nitro explosive compounds in soil samples after solid-phase microextraction with carbon ceramic copper nanoparticle fibers.

PubMed

Farhadi, Khalil; Bochani, Shayesteh; Hatami, Mehdi; Molaei, Rahim; Pirkharrati, Hossein

2014-07-01

In this research, a new solid-phase microextraction fiber based on carbon ceramic composites with copper nanoparticles followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was applied for the extraction and determination of some nitro explosive compounds in soil samples. The proposed method provides an overview of trends related to synthesis of solid-phase microextraction sorbents and their applications in preconcentration and determination of nitro explosives. The sorbents were prepared by mixing of copper nanoparticles with a ceramic composite produced by mixture of methyltrimethoxysilane, graphite, methanol, and hydrochloric acid. The prepared sorbents were coated on copper wires by dip-coating method. The prepared nanocomposites were evaluated statistically and provided better limits of detection than the pure carbon ceramic. The limit of detection of the proposed method was 0.6 μg/g with a linear response over the concentration range of 2-160 μg/g and square of correlation coefficient >0.992. The new proposed fiber has been demonstrated to be a suitable, inexpensive, and sensitive candidate for extraction of nitro explosive compounds in contaminated soil samples. The constructed fiber can be used more than 100 times without the need for surface generation. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Acoustic Full Waveform Inversion to Characterize Near-surface Chemical Explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, K.; Rodgers, A. J.

2015-12-01

Recent high-quality, atmospheric overpressure data from chemical high-explosive experiments provide a unique opportunity to characterize near-surface explosions, specifically estimating yield and source time function. Typically, yield is estimated from measured signal features, such as peak pressure, impulse, duration and/or arrival time of acoustic signals. However, the application of full waveform inversion to acoustic signals for yield estimation has not been fully explored. In this study, we apply a full waveform inversion method to local overpressure data to extract accurate pressure-time histories of acoustics sources during chemical explosions. A robust and accurate inversion technique for acoustic source is investigated using numerical Green's functions that take into account atmospheric and topographic propagation effects. The inverted pressure-time history represents the pressure fluctuation at the source region associated with the explosion, and thus, provides a valuable information about acoustic source mechanisms and characteristics in greater detail. We compare acoustic source properties (i.e., peak overpressure, duration, and non-isotropic shape) of a series of explosions having different emplacement conditions and investigate the relationship of the acoustic sources to the yields of explosions. The time histories of acoustic sources may refine our knowledge of sound-generation mechanisms of shallow explosions, and thereby allow for accurate yield estimation based on acoustic measurements. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Comparison Between Surf and Multi-Shock Forest Fire High Explosive Burn Models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greenfield, Nicholas Alexander

PAGOSA1 has several different burn models used to model high explosive detonation. Two of these, Multi-Shock Forest Fire and Surf, are capable of modeling shock initiation. Accurately calculating shock initiation of a high explosive is important because it is a mechanism for detonation in many accident scenarios (i.e. fragment impact). Comparing the models to pop-plot data give confidence that the models are accurately calculating detonation or lack thereof. To compare the performance of these models, pop-plots2 were created from simulations where one two cm block of PBX 9502 collides with another block of PBX 9502.

Laser based in-situ and standoff detection of chemical warfare agents and explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, C. Kumar N.

2009-09-01

Laser based detection of gaseous, liquid and solid residues and trace amounts has been developed ever since lasers were invented. However, the lack of availability of reasonably high power tunable lasers in the spectral regions where the relevant targets can be interrogated as well as appropriate techniques for high sensitivity, high selectivity detection has hampered the practical exploitation of techniques for the detection of targets important for homeland security and defense applications. Furthermore, emphasis has been on selectivity without particular attention being paid to the impact of interfering species on the quality of detection. Having high sensitivity is necessary but not a sufficient condition. High sensitivity assures a high probability of detection of the target species. However, it is only recently that the sensor community has come to recognize that any measure of probability of detection must be associated with a probability of false alarm, if it is to have any value as a measure of performance. This is especially true when one attempts to compare performance characteristics of different sensors based on different physical principles. In this paper, I will provide a methodology for characterizing the performance of sensors utilizing optical absorption measurement techniques. However, the underlying principles are equally application to all other sensors. While most of the current progress in high sensitivity, high selectivity detection of CWAs, TICs and explosives involve identifying and quantifying the target species in-situ, there is an urgent need for standoff detection of explosives from safe distances. I will describe our results on CO2 and quantum cascade laser (QCL) based photoacoustic sensors for the detection of CWAs, TICs and explosives as well the very new results on stand-off detection of explosives at distances up to 150 meters. The latter results are critically important for assuring safety of military personnel in battlefield environment, especially from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and of civilian personnel from terrorist attacks in metropolitan areas.

Determination of nitroaromatic explosives and their degradation products in unsaturated-zone water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array, mass spectrometric, and tandem mass spectrometric detection

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gates, Paul M.; Furlong, E.T.; Dorsey, T.F.; Burkhardt, M.R.

1996-01-01

Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, coupled by a thermospray interface to a high-performance liguid chromatography system and equipped with a photodiode array detector, were used to determine the presence of nitroaromatic explosives and their degradation products in USA unsaturated-zone water samples. Using this approach, the lower limits of quantitation for explosives determined by mass spectrometry in this study typically ranged from 10 to 100 ng/l.

Subnanosecond measurements of detonation fronts in solid high explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheffield, S. A.; Bloomquist, D. D.; Tarver, C. M.

1984-04-01

Detonation fronts in solid high explosives have been examined through measurements of particle velocity histories resulting from the interaction of a detonation wave with a thin metal foil backed by a water window. Using a high time resolution velocity-interferometer system, experiments were conducted on three explosives—a TATB (1,3,5-triamino-trinitrobenzene)-based explosive called PBX-9502, TNT (2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene), and CP (2-{5-cyanotetrazolato} pentaamminecobalt {III} perchlorate). In all cases, detonation-front rise times were found to be less than the 300 ps resolution of the interferometer system. The thermodynamic state in the front of the detonation wave was estimated to be near the unreacted state determined from an extrapolation of low-pressure unreacted Hugoniot data for both TNT and PBX-9502 explosives. Computer calculations based on an ignition and growth model of a Zeldovich-von Neumann-Doering (ZND) detonation wave show good agreement with the measurements. By using the unreacted Hugoniot and a JWL equation of state for the reaction products, we estimated the initial reaction rate in the high explosive after the detonation wave front interacted with the foil to be 40 μs-1 for CP, 60 μs-1 for TNT, and 80 μs-1 for PBX-9502. The shape of the profiles indicates the reaction rate decreases as reaction proceeds.

Robust, easily shaped, and epoxy-free carbon-fiber-aluminum cathodes for generating high-current electron beams.

PubMed

Liu, Lie; Li, Limin; Wen, Jianchun; Wan, Hong

2009-02-01

This paper presents the construction of carbon-fiber-aluminum (CFA) cathode by squeezing casting and its applications for generating high-current electron beams to drive high-power microwave sources. The fabrication process avoided using epoxy, a volatile deteriorating the vacuum system. These cathodes had a higher hardness than conventional aluminum, facilitating machining. After surface treatment, carbon fibers became the dominator determining emission property. A multineedle CFA cathode was utilized in a triode virtual cathode oscillator (vircator), powered by a approximately 450 kV, approximately 400 ns pulse. It was found that 300-400 MW, approximately 250 ns microwave was radiated at a dominant frequency of 2.6 GHz. Further, this cathode can endure high-current-density emission without detectable degradation in performance as the pulse shot proceeded, showing the robust nature of carbon fibers as explosive emitters. Overall, this new class of cold cathodes offers a potential prospect of developing high-current electron beam sources.

27 CFR 555.201 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... fireworks, pyrotechnic compositions, and explosive materials used in assembling fireworks and articles pyrotechnic. (e) The provisions of § 555.202(a) classifying flash powder and bulk salutes as high explosives...

27 CFR 555.201 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... fireworks, pyrotechnic compositions, and explosive materials used in assembling fireworks and articles pyrotechnic. (e) The provisions of § 555.202(a) classifying flash powder and bulk salutes as high explosives...

The point explosion with radiation transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Zhiwei; Zhang, Lu; Kuang, Longyu; Jiang, Shaoen

2017-10-01

Some amount of energy is released instantaneously at the origin to generate simultaneously a spherical radiative heat wave and a spherical shock wave in the point explosion with radiation transport, which is a complicated problem due to the competition between these two waves. The point explosion problem possesses self-similar solutions when only hydrodynamic motion or only heat conduction is considered, which are Sedov solution and Barenblatt solution respectively. The point explosion problem wherein both physical mechanisms of hydrodynamic motion and heat conduction are included has been studied by P. Reinicke and A.I. Shestakov. In this talk we numerically investigate the point explosion problem wherein both physical mechanisms of hydrodynamic motion and radiation transport are taken into account. The radiation transport equation in one dimensional spherical geometry has to be solved for this problem since the ambient medium is optically thin with respect to the initially extremely high temperature at the origin. The numerical results reveal a high compression of medium and a bi-peak structure of density, which are further theoretically analyzed at the end.

Analysis of xRAGE and flag high explosive burn models with PBX 9404 cylinder tests

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harrier, Danielle; Andersen, Kyle Richard

High explosives are energetic materials that release their chemical energy in a short interval of time. They are able to generate extreme heat and pressure by a shock driven chemical decomposition reaction, which makes them valuable tools that must be understood. This study investigated the accuracy and performance of two Los Alamos National Laboratory hydrodynamic codes, which are used to determine the behavior of explosives within a variety of systems: xRAGE which utilizes an Eulerian mesh, and FLAG with utilizes a Lagrangian mesh. Various programmed and reactive burn models within both codes were tested using a copper cylinder expansion test.more » The test was based on a recent experimental setup which contained the plastic bonded explosive PBX 9404. Detonation velocity versus time curves for this explosive were obtained using Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). The modeled results from each of the burn models tested were then compared to one another and to the experimental results. This study validate« less

Development of multi-component explosive lenses for arbitrary phase velocity generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loiseau, Jason; Huneault, Justin; Petel, Oren; Goroshin, Sam; Frost, David; Higgins, Andrew; Zhang, Fan

2013-06-01

The combination of explosives with different detonation velocities and lens-like geometric shaping is a well-established technique for producing structured detonation waves. This technique can be extended to produce nearly arbitrary detonation phase velocities for the purposes of sequentially imploding pressurized tubes or driving Mach disks through high-density metalized explosives. The current study presents the experimental development of accelerating, multi-component lenses designed using simple geometric optics and idealized front curvature. The fast explosive component is either Composition C4 (VOD = 8 km/s) or Primasheet 1000 (VOD = 7 km/s), while the slow component varies from heavily amine-diluted nitromethane (amine mass fraction exceeding 20%) to packed metal and glass particle beds wetted with amine-sensitized nitromethane. The applicability of the geometric optic analog to such highly heterogeneous explosives is also investigated. The multi-layered lens technique is further developed as a means of generating a directed mass and momentum flux of metal particles via Mach-disk formation and jetting in circular and oval planar lenses.

Nanoscience for Insensitive Munitions Development (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-03

reactive material Ni/Al Hypervelocity collisions of ND Melting of nitromethane Shocked energetic materials Self-sustained detonation of model explosive ...deformation by compressing, stretching or twisting the bond. First Observed by Bridgeman as Explosion of Common Substances Subjected to Pressure and Shear...in Energetic Materials as New Means for Designing Nonconventional High Explosives : An analysis of Soviet Research, Tech Report 1991. A. M

Two luminescent Zn(II) metal-organic frameworks for exceptionally selective detection of picric acid explosives.

PubMed

Shi, Zhi-Qiang; Guo, Zi-Jian; Zheng, He-Gen

2015-05-14

Two luminescent Zn(II) metal-organic frameworks were prepared from a π-conjugated thiophene-containing carboxylic acid ligand. These two MOFs show strong luminescene and their luminescence could be quenched by a series of nitroaromatic explosives. Importantly, they exhibit very highly sensitive and selective detection of picric acid compared to other nitroaromatic explosives.

Lifetimes and stabilities of familiar explosives molecular adduct complexes during ion mobility measurements

PubMed Central

McKenzie, Alan; DeBord, John Daniel; Ridgeway, Mark; Park, Melvin; Eiceman, Gary; Fernandez-Lima, Francisco

2015-01-01

Trapped ion mobility spectrometry coupled to mass spectrometry (TIMS-MS) was utilized for the separation and identification of familiar explosives in complex mixtures. For the first time, molecular adduct complex lifetimes, relative stability, binding energies and candidate structures are reported for familiar explosives. Experimental and theoretical results showed that the adduct size and reactivity, complex binding energy and the explosive structure tailors the stability of the molecular adduct complex. TIMS flexibility to adapt the mobility separation as a function of the molecular adduct complex stability (i.e., short or long IMS experiments / low or high IMS resolution) permits targeted measurements of explosives in complex mixtures with higher confidence levels. PMID:26153567

Dissipative rogue waves induced by soliton explosions in an ultrafast fiber laser.

PubMed

Liu, Meng; Luo, Ai-Ping; Xu, Wen-Cheng; Luo, Zhi-Chao

2016-09-01

We reported on the observation of dissipative rogue waves (DRWs) induced by soliton explosions in an ultrafast fiber laser. It was found that the soliton explosions could be obtained in the fiber laser at a critical pump power level. During the process of the soliton explosion, the high-amplitude waves that fulfill the rogue wave criteria could be detected. The appearance of the DRWs was identified by characterizing the intensity statistics of the time-stretched soliton profile based on the dispersive Fourier-transform method. Our findings provide the first experimental demonstration that the DRWs could be observed in the soliton explosion regime and further enhance the understanding of the physical mechanism of optical RW generation.

Formation of microbeads during vapor explosions of Field's metal in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouraytem, N.; Li, E. Q.; Thoroddsen, S. T.

2016-06-01

We use high-speed video imaging to investigate vapor explosions during the impact of a molten Field's metal drop onto a pool of water. These explosions occur for temperatures above the Leidenfrost temperature and are observed to occur in up to three stages as the metal temperature is increased, with each explosion being more powerful that the preceding one. The Field's metal drop breaks up into numerous microbeads with an exponential size distribution, in contrast to tin droplets where the vapor explosion deforms the metal to form porous solid structures. We compare the characteristic bead size to the wavelength of the fastest growing mode of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability.

Numerical Simulation of the Detonation of Condensed Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Cheng; Ye, Ting; Ning, Jianguo

Detonation process of a condensed explosive was simulated using a finite difference method. Euler equations were applied to describe the detonation flow field, an ignition and growth model for the chemical reaction and Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equations of state for the state of explosives and detonation products. Based on the simple mixture rule that assumes the reacting explosives to be a mixture of the reactant and product components, 1D and 2D codes were developed to simulate the detonation process of high explosive PBX9404. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which demonstrates that the finite difference method, mixture rule and chemical reaction proposed in this paper are adequate and feasible.

Energetic lanthanide complexes: coordination chemistry and explosives applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manner, V. W.; Barker, B. J.; Sanders, V. E.; Laintz, K. E.; Scott, B. L.; Preston, D. N.; Sandstrom, M.; Reardon, B. L.

2014-05-01

Metals are generally added to organic molecular explosives in a heterogeneous composite to improve overall heat and energy release. In order to avoid creating a mixture that can vary in homogeneity, energetic organic molecules can be directly bonded to high molecular weight metals, forming a single metal complex with Angstrom-scale separation between the metal and the explosive. To probe the relationship between the structural properties of metal complexes and explosive performance, a new series of energetic lanthanide complexes has been prepared using energetic ligands such as NTO (5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-3-one). These are the first examples of lanthanide NTO complexes where no water is coordinated to the metal, demonstrating novel control of the coordination environment. The complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR and IR spectroscopies, photoluminescence, and sensitivity testing. The structural and energetic properties are discussed in the context of enhanced blast effects and detection. Cheetah calculations have been performed to fine-tune physical properties, creating a systematic method for producing explosives with 'tailor made' characteristics. These new complexes will be benchmarks for further study in the field of metalized high explosives.

Energetic Lanthanide Complexes: Coordination Chemistry and Explosives Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manner, Virginia; Barker, Beau; Sanders, Eric; Laintz, Kenneth; Scott, Brian; Preston, Daniel; Sandstrom, Mary; Reardon, Bettina

2013-06-01

Metals are generally added to organic molecular explosives in a heterogeneous composite to improve overall heat and energy release. In order to avoid creating a mixture that can vary in homogeneity, energetic organic molecules can be directly bonded to high molecular weight metals, forming a single metal complex with Angstrom-scale separation between the metal and the explosive. To probe the relationship between the structural properties of metal complexes and explosive performance, a new series of energetic lanthanide complexes has been prepared using energetic ligands such as NTO (5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-3-one). These are the first examples of lanthanide NTO complexes where no water is coordinated to the metal, demonstrating novel control of the coordination environment. The complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR and IR spectroscopies, photoluminescence, and sensitivity testing. The structural and energetic properties are discussed in the context of enhanced blast effects and detection. Cheetah calculations have been performed to fine-tune physical properties, creating a systematic method for producing explosives with ``tailor made'' characteristics. These new complexes will be benchmarks for further study in the field of metalized high explosives.

Nonideal detonation regimes in low density explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ershov, A. P.; Kashkarov, A. O.; Pruuel, E. R.; Satonkina, N. P.; Sil'vestrov, V. V.; Yunoshev, A. S.; Plastinin, A. V.

2016-02-01

Measurements using Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) were performed for three high explosives at densities slightly above the natural loose-packed densities. The velocity histories at the explosive/window interface demonstrate that the grain size of the explosives plays an important role. Fine-grained materials produced rather smooth records with reduced von Neumann spike amplitudes. For commercial coarse-grained specimens, the chemical spike (if detectable) was more pronounced. This difference can be explained as a manifestation of partial burn up. In fine-grained explosives, which are more sensitive, the reaction can proceed partly within the compression front, which leads to a lower initial shock amplitude. The reaction zone was shorter in fine-grained materials because of higher density of hot spots. The noise level was generally higher for the coarse-grained explosives, which is a natural stochastic effect of the highly non-uniform flow of the heterogeneous medium. These results correlate with our previous data of electrical conductivity diagnostics. Instead of the classical Zel'dovich-von Neumann-Döring profiles, violent oscillations around the Chapman-Jouguet level were observed in about half of the shots using coarse-grained materials. We suggest that these unusual records may point to a different detonation wave propagation mechanism.

Collection of trace evidence of explosive residues from the skin in a death due to a disguised letter bomb. The synergy between confocal laser scanning microscope and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer analyses.

PubMed

Turillazzi, Emanuela; Monaci, Fabrizio; Neri, Margherita; Pomara, Cristoforo; Riezzo, Irene; Baroni, Davide; Fineschi, Vittorio

2010-04-15

In most deaths caused by explosive, the victim's body becomes a depot for fragments of explosive materials, so contributing to the collection of trace evidence which may provide clues about the specific type of device used with explosion. Improvised explosive devices are used which contain "homemade" explosives rather than high explosives because of the relative ease with which such components can be procured. Many methods such as chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, stereomicroscopy, capillary electrophoresis are available for use in the identification of explosive residues on objects and bomb fragments. Identification and reconstruction of the distribution of explosive residues on the decedent's body may give additional hints in assessing the position of the victim in relation to the device. Traditionally these residues are retrieved by swabbing the body and clothing during the early phase, at autopsy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and other analytical methods may be used to analyze the material swabbed from the victim body. The histological examination of explosive residues on skin samples collected during the autopsy may reveal significant details. The information about type, quantity and particularly about anatomical distribution of explosive residues obtained utilizing confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) together with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), may provide very significant evidence in the clarification and reconstruction of the explosive-related events. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

19 CFR 144.1 - Merchandise eligible for warehousing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... may be entered for warehousing except for perishable merchandise and explosive substances (other than firecrackers). Dangerous and highly flammable merchandise, though not classified as explosive, shall not be...

Template-directed synthesis of silica nanotubes for explosive detection.

PubMed

Yildirim, Adem; Acar, Handan; Erkal, Turan S; Bayindir, Mehmet; Guler, Mustafa O

2011-10-01

Fluorescent porous organic-inorganic thin films are of interest of explosive detection because of their vapor phase fluorescence quenching property. In this work, we synthesized fluorescent silica nanotubes using a biomineralization process through self-assembled peptidic nanostructures. We designed and synthesized an amyloid-like peptide self-assembling into nanofibers to be used as a template for silica nanotube formation. The amine groups on the peptide nanofibrous system were used for nucleation of silica nanostructures. Silica nanotubes were used to prepare highly porous surfaces, and they were doped with a fluorescent dye by physical adsorption for explosive sensing. These porous surfaces exhibited fast, sensitive, and highly selective fluorescence quenching against nitro-explosive vapors. The materials developed in this work have vast potential in sensing applications due to enhanced surface area. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Simulating the Thermal Response of High Explosives on Time Scales of Days to Microseconds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoh, Jack J.; McClelland, Matthew A.

2004-07-01

We present an overview of computational techniques for simulating the thermal cookoff of high explosives using a multi-physics hydrodynamics code, ALE3D. Recent improvements to the code have aided our computational capability in modeling the response of energetic materials systems exposed to extreme thermal environments, such as fires. We consider an idealized model process for a confined explosive involving the transition from slow heating to rapid deflagration in which the time scale changes from days to hundreds of microseconds. The heating stage involves thermal expansion and decomposition according to an Arrhenius kinetics model while a pressure-dependent burn model is employed during the explosive phase. We describe and demonstrate the numerical strategies employed to make the transition from slow to fast dynamics.

Long-term prospects: Mitigation of supernova and gamma-ray burst threat to intelligent beings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ćirković, Milan M.; Vukotić, Branislav

2016-12-01

We consider global catastrophic risks due to cosmic explosions (supernovae, magnetars and gamma-ray bursts) and possible mitigation strategies by humans and other hypothetical intelligent beings. While by their very nature these events are so huge to daunt conventional thinking on mitigation and response, we wish to argue that advanced technological civilizations would be able to develop efficient responses in the domain of astroengineering within their home planetary systems. In particular, we suggest that construction of shielding swarms of small objects/particles confined by electromagnetic fields could be one way of mitigating the risk of cosmic explosions and corresponding ionizing radiation surges. Such feats of astroengineering could, in principle, be detectable from afar by advanced Dysonian SETI searches.

75 FR 17529 - High-Voltage Continuous Mining Machine Standard for Underground Coal Mines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-06

..., requires manufacturers to provide safeguards against corona on all 4,160-volt circuits in explosion-proof enclosures. Corona is a luminous discharge that occurs around electric conductors that are subject to high electric stresses. Corona can cause premature breakdown of insulating materials in explosion-proof...

Simulation of Metal Particulates in High Energetic Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-28

in explosive mixtures increases the density of the shock wave, causing a higher pressure in the shock . The high pressure in the shock is devastating...19 2.3.3 Explosive Materials with Aluminum Powders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 2.3.4 An Analysis of Shock ...32 3.2.4 Nozzling Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 3.3

Equations of state for detonation products of high energy PBX explosives

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, E. L.; Helm, F. H.; Finger, M.

1977-08-01

It has become apparent that the accumulated changes in the analysis of cylinder test data, in the material specifications, and in the hydrodynamic code simulation of the cylinder test necessitated an update of the detonation product EOS description for explosives in common use at LLL. The explosives reviewed are PBX-9404-3, LX-04-1, LX-10-1, LX-14-0 and LX-09-1. In order to maintain the proper relation of predicted performance of these standard explosives, they have been revised as a single set.

Eigenvalue Detonation of Combined Effects Aluminized Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capellos, C.; Baker, E. L.; Nicolich, S.; Balas, W.; Pincay, J.; Stiel, L. I.

2007-12-01

Theory and performance for recently developed combined—effects aluminized explosives are presented. Our recently developed combined-effects aluminized explosives (PAX-29C, PAX-30, PAX-42) are capable of achieving excellent metal pushing, as well as high blast energies. Metal pushing capability refers to the early volume expansion work produced during the first few volume expansions associated with cylinder and wall velocities and Gurney energies. Eigenvalue detonation explains the observed detonation states achieved by these combined effects explosives. Cylinder expansion data and thermochemical calculations (JAGUAR and CHEETAH) verify the eigenvalue detonation behavior.

Semiconductor bridge (SCB) detonator

DOEpatents

Bickes, Jr., Robert W.; Grubelich, Mark C.

1999-01-01

The present invention is a low-energy detonator for high-density secondary-explosive materials initiated by a semiconductor bridge igniter that comprises a pair of electrically conductive lands connected by a semiconductor bridge. The semiconductor bridge is in operational or direct contact with the explosive material, whereby current flowing through the semiconductor bridge causes initiation of the explosive material. Header wires connected to the electrically-conductive lands and electrical feed-throughs of the header posts of explosive devices, are substantially coaxial to the direction of current flow through the SCB, i.e., substantially coaxial to the SCB length.

Numerical study of blast characteristics from detonation of homogeneous explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakrishnan, Kaushik; Genin, Franklin; Nance, Doug V.; Menon, Suresh

2010-04-01

A new robust numerical methodology is used to investigate the propagation of blast waves from homogeneous explosives. The gas-phase governing equations are solved using a hybrid solver that combines a higher-order shock capturing scheme with a low-dissipation central scheme. Explosives of interest include Nitromethane, Trinitrotoluene, and High-Melting Explosive. The shock overpressure and total impulse are estimated at different radial locations and compared for the different explosives. An empirical scaling correlation is presented for the shock overpressure, incident positive phase pressure impulse, and total impulse. The role of hydrodynamic instabilities to the blast effects of explosives is also investigated in three dimensions, and significant mixing between the detonation products and air is observed. This mixing results in afterburn, which is found to augment the impulse characteristics of explosives. Furthermore, the impulse characteristics are also observed to be three-dimensional in the region of the mixing layer. This paper highlights that while some blast features can be successfully predicted from simple one-dimensional studies, the growth of hydrodynamic instabilities and the impulsive loading of homogeneous explosives require robust three-dimensional investigation.

Detection of residues from explosive manipulation by near infrared hyperspectral imaging: a promising forensic tool.

PubMed

Fernández de la Ossa, Mª Ángeles; Amigo, José Manuel; García-Ruiz, Carmen

2014-09-01

In this study near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) is used to provide a fast, non-contact, non-invasive and non-destructive method for the analysis of explosive residues on human handprints. Volunteers manipulated individually each of these explosives and after deposited their handprints on plastic sheets. For this purpose, classical explosives, potentially used as part of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as ammonium nitrate, blackpowder, single- and double-base smokeless gunpowders and dynamite were studied. A partial-least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was built to detect and classify the presence of explosive residues in handprints. High levels of sensitivity and specificity for the PLS-DA classification model created to identify ammonium nitrate, blackpowder, single- and double-base smokeless gunpowders and dynamite residues were obtained, allowing the development of a preliminary library and facilitating the direct and in situ detection of explosives by NIR-HSI. Consequently, this technique is showed as a promising forensic tool for the detection of explosive residues and other related samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ion spectrometric detection technologies for ultra-traces of explosives: a review.

PubMed

Mäkinen, Marko; Nousiainen, Marjaana; Sillanpää, Mika

2011-01-01

In recent years, explosive materials have been widely employed for various military applications and civilian conflicts; their use for hostile purposes has increased considerably. The detection of different kind of explosive agents has become crucially important for protection of human lives, infrastructures, and properties. Moreover, both the environmental aspects such as the risk of soil and water contamination and health risks related to the release of explosive particles need to be taken into account. For these reasons, there is a growing need to develop analyzing methods which are faster and more sensitive for detecting explosives. The detection techniques of the explosive materials should ideally serve fast real-time analysis in high accuracy and resolution from a minimal quantity of explosive without involving complicated sample preparation. The performance of the in-field analysis of extremely hazardous material has to be user-friendly and safe for operators. The two closely related ion spectrometric methods used in explosive analyses include mass spectrometry (MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The four requirements-speed, selectivity, sensitivity, and sampling-are fulfilled with both of these methods. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Explosion Clad for Upstream Oil and Gas Equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banker, John G.; Massarello, Jack; Pauly, Stephane

2011-01-01

Today's upstream oil and gas facilities frequently involve the combination of high pressures, high temperatures, and highly corrosive environments, requiring equipment that is thick wall, corrosion resistant, and cost effective. When significant concentrations of CO2 and/or H2S and/or chlorides are present, corrosion resistant alloys (CRA) can become the material of choice for separator equipment, piping, related components, and line pipe. They can provide reliable resistance to both corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement. For these applications, the more commonly used CRA's are 316L, 317L and duplex stainless steels, alloy 825 and alloy 625, dependent upon the application and the severity of the environment. Titanium is also an exceptional choice from the technical perspective, but is less commonly used except for heat exchangers. Explosion clad offers significant savings by providing a relatively thin corrosion resistant alloy on the surface metallurgically bonded to a thick, lower cost, steel substrate for the pressure containment. Developed and industrialized in the 1960's the explosion cladding technology can be used for cladding the more commonly used nickel based and stainless steel CRA's as well as titanium. It has many years of proven experience as a reliable and highly robust clad manufacturing process. The unique cold welding characteristics of explosion cladding reduce problems of alloy sensitization and dissimilar metal incompatibility. Explosion clad materials have been used extensively in both upstream and downstream oil, gas and petrochemical facilities for well over 40 years. The explosion clad equipment has demonstrated excellent resistance to corrosion, embrittlement and disbonding. Factors critical to insure reliable clad manufacture and equipment design and fabrication are addressed.

High methane natural gas/air explosion characteristics in confined vessel.

PubMed

Tang, Chenglong; Zhang, Shuang; Si, Zhanbo; Huang, Zuohua; Zhang, Kongming; Jin, Zebing

2014-08-15

The explosion characteristics of high methane fraction natural gas were investigated in a constant volume combustion vessel at different initial conditions. Results show that with the increase of initial pressure, the peak explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise increase due to a higher amount (mass) of flammable mixture, which delivers an increased amount of heat. The increased total flame duration and flame development time result as a consequence of the higher amount of flammable mixture. With the increase of the initial temperature, the peak explosion pressures decrease, but the pressure increase during combustion is accelerated, which indicates a faster flame speed and heat release rate. The maximum value of the explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise, the minimum total combustion duration and the minimum flame development time is observed when the equivalence ratio of the mixture is 1.1. Additionally, for higher methane fraction natural gas, the explosion pressure and the maximum rate of pressure rise are slightly decreased, while the combustion duration is postponed. The combustion phasing is empirically correlated with the experimental parameters with good fitting performance. Furthermore, the addition of dilute gas significantly reduces the explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise and postpones the flame development and this flame retarding effect of carbon dioxide is stronger than that of nitrogen. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solid Rocket Launch Vehicle Explosion Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, E. H.; Blackwood, J. M.; Hays, M. J.; Skinner, T.

2014-01-01

Empirical explosion data from full scale solid rocket launch vehicle accidents and tests were collected from all available literature from the 1950s to the present. In general data included peak blast overpressure, blast impulse, fragment size, fragment speed, and fragment dispersion. Most propellants were 1.1 explosives but a few were 1.3. Oftentimes the data from a single accident was disjointed and/or missing key aspects. Despite this fact, once the data as a whole was digitized, categorized, and plotted clear trends appeared. Particular emphasis was placed on tests or accidents that would be applicable to scenarios from which a crew might need to escape. Therefore, such tests where a large quantity of high explosive was used to initiate the solid rocket explosion were differentiated. Also, high speed ground impacts or tests used to simulate such were also culled. It was found that the explosions from all accidents and applicable tests could be described using only the pressurized gas energy stored in the chamber at the time of failure. Additionally, fragmentation trends were produced. Only one accident mentioned the elusive "small" propellant fragments, but upon further analysis it was found that these were most likely produced as secondary fragments when larger primary fragments impacted the ground. Finally, a brief discussion of how this data is used in a new launch vehicle explosion model for improving crew/payload survival is presented.

Trace Detection of RDX, HMX and PETN Explosives Using a Fluorescence Spot Sensor

PubMed Central

Wang, Chen; Huang, Helin; Bunes, Benjamin R.; Wu, Na; Xu, Miao; Yang, Xiaomei; Yu, Li; Zang, Ling

2016-01-01

1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), the major components in plastic explosives, pose a significant threat to public safety. A quick, sensitive, and low-cost detection method for these non-volatile explosives is eagerly demanded. Here we present a fluo-spot approach, which can be employed for in situ detection of trace amount of explosives. The sensor molecule is a charge-transfer fluorophore, DCM, which is strongly fluorescent in its pristine state, but non-fluorescent after the quick reaction with NO2· (or NO2+) generated from the UV photolysis of RDX, HMX (or PETN). When fabricated within silica gel TLC plate, the fluo-spot sensor features high sensitivity owing to the large surface area and porous structure of the substrate. The sensor reaction mechanism was verified by various experimental characterizations, including chromatography, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, MS and 1H NMR spectrometry. The fluo-spot also demonstrated high selectivity towards RDX, HMX and PETN, as no significant fluorescence quenching was observed for other chemical compounds including common nitro-aromatic explosives and inorganic oxidative compounds. The DCM sensor can also be used as an economical spray kit to directly spot the explosives by naked eyes, implying great potential for quick, low-cost trace explosives detection. PMID:27146290

Trace Detection of RDX, HMX and PETN Explosives Using a Fluorescence Spot Sensor.

PubMed

Wang, Chen; Huang, Helin; Bunes, Benjamin R; Wu, Na; Xu, Miao; Yang, Xiaomei; Yu, Li; Zang, Ling

2016-05-05

1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), the major components in plastic explosives, pose a significant threat to public safety. A quick, sensitive, and low-cost detection method for these non-volatile explosives is eagerly demanded. Here we present a fluo-spot approach, which can be employed for in situ detection of trace amount of explosives. The sensor molecule is a charge-transfer fluorophore, DCM, which is strongly fluorescent in its pristine state, but non-fluorescent after the quick reaction with NO2· (or NO2(+)) generated from the UV photolysis of RDX, HMX (or PETN). When fabricated within silica gel TLC plate, the fluo-spot sensor features high sensitivity owing to the large surface area and porous structure of the substrate. The sensor reaction mechanism was verified by various experimental characterizations, including chromatography, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, MS and (1)H NMR spectrometry. The fluo-spot also demonstrated high selectivity towards RDX, HMX and PETN, as no significant fluorescence quenching was observed for other chemical compounds including common nitro-aromatic explosives and inorganic oxidative compounds. The DCM sensor can also be used as an economical spray kit to directly spot the explosives by naked eyes, implying great potential for quick, low-cost trace explosives detection.

A simple but highly efficient multi-formyl phenol-amine system for fluorescence detection of peroxide explosive vapour.

PubMed

Xu, Wei; Fu, Yanyan; Gao, Yixun; Yao, Junjun; Fan, Tianchi; Zhu, Defeng; He, Qingguo; Cao, Huimin; Cheng, Jiangong

2015-07-11

A simple, highly stable, sensitive and selective fluorescent system for peroxide explosives was developed via an aromatic aldehyde oxidation reaction. The high efficiency arises from its higher HOMO level and multiple H-bonding. The sensitivity is obtained to be 0.1 ppt for H2O2 and 0.2 ppb for TATP.

High Energy Explosive Yield Enhancer Using Microencapsulation.

DTIC Science & Technology

The invention consists of a class of high energy explosive yield enhancers created through the use of microencapsulation techniques. The... microcapsules consist of combinations of highly reactive oxidizers that are encapsulated in either passivated inorganic fuels or inert materials and inorganic...fuels. Depending on the application, the availability of the various oxidizers and fuels within the microcapsules can be customized to increase the

Comparative study of energy of particles ejected from coulomb explosion of rare gas and metallic clusters irradiated by intense femtosecond laser field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boucerredj, N.; Beggas, K.

2016-10-01

We present our study of high intensity femtosecond laser field interaction with large cluster of Kr and Na (contained 2.103 to 2.107 atoms). When laser intensity is above a critical value, it blows off all of electrons from the cluster and forms a non neutral ion cloud. The irradiation of these clusters by the intense laser field leads to highly excitation energy which can be the source of energetic electrons, electronic emission, highly charge, energetic ions and fragmentation process. During the Coulomb explosion of the resulting highly ionized, high temperature nanoplasma, ions acquire again their energy. It is shown that ultra fast ions are produced. The goal of our study is to investigate in detail a comparative study of the expansion and explosion then the ion energy of metallic and rare gas clusters irradiated by an intense femtosecond laser field. We have found that ions have a kinetic energy up to 105 eV and the Coulomb pressure is little than the hydrodynamic pressure. The Coulomb explosion of a cluster may provide a new high energy ion source.

Air Force construction automation/robotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nease, A. D.; Alexander, E. F.

1993-01-01

The Air Force has several missions which generate unique requirements that are being met through the development of construction robotic technology. One especially important mission will be the conduct of Department of Defense (DOD) space activities. Space operations and other missions place construction/repair equipment operators in dangerous environments and potentially harmful situations. Additionally, force reductions require that human resources be leveraged to the maximum extent possible, and more stringent construction repair requirements push for increased automation. To solve these problems, the U.S. Air Force is undertaking a research and development effort at Tyndall AFB, FL, to develop robotic construction/repair equipment. This development effort involves the following technologies: teleoperation, telerobotics, construction operations (excavation, grading, leveling, tool change), robotic vehicle communications, vehicle navigation, mission/vehicle task control architecture, and associated computing environment. The ultimate goal is the fielding of a robotic repair capability operating at the level of supervised autonomy. This paper will discuss current and planned efforts in space construction/repair, explosive ordnance disposal, hazardous waste cleanup, and fire fighting.

Performance criteria guideline for three explosion protection methods of electrical equipment rated up to 15,000 volts AC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linley, L. J.; Luper, A. B.; Dunn, J. H.

1982-01-01

The Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, is reviewing explosion protection methods for use in gassy coal mines. This performance criteria guideline is an evaluation of three explosion protection methods of machines electrically powered with voltages up to 15,000 volts ac. A sufficient amount of basic research has been accomplished to verify that the explosion proof and pressurized enclosure methods can provide adequate explosion protection with the present state of the art up to 15,000 volts ac. This routine application of the potted enclosure as a stand alone protection method requires further investigation or development in order to clarify performance criteria and verification certification requirements. An extensive literature search, a series of high voltage tests, and a design evaluation of the three explosion protection methods indicate that the explosion proof, pressurized, and potted enclosures can all be used to enclose up to 15,000 volts ac.

Trace explosives sensor testbed (TESTbed)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Greg E.; Malito, Michael P.; Tamanaha, Cy R.; Hammond, Mark H.; Giordano, Braden C.; Lubrano, Adam L.; Field, Christopher R.; Rogers, Duane A.; Jeffries, Russell A.; Colton, Richard J.; Rose-Pehrsson, Susan L.

2017-03-01

A novel vapor delivery testbed, referred to as the Trace Explosives Sensor Testbed, or TESTbed, is demonstrated that is amenable to both high- and low-volatility explosives vapors including nitromethane, nitroglycerine, ethylene glycol dinitrate, triacetone triperoxide, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine. The TESTbed incorporates a six-port dual-line manifold system allowing for rapid actuation between a dedicated clean air source and a trace explosives vapor source. Explosives and explosives-related vapors can be sourced through a number of means including gas cylinders, permeation tube ovens, dynamic headspace chambers, and a Pneumatically Modulated Liquid Delivery System coupled to a perfluoroalkoxy total-consumption microflow nebulizer. Key features of the TESTbed include continuous and pulseless control of trace vapor concentrations with wide dynamic range of concentration generation, six sampling ports with reproducible vapor profile outputs, limited low-volatility explosives adsorption to the manifold surface, temperature and humidity control of the vapor stream, and a graphical user interface for system operation and testing protocol implementation.

Classification of explosives transformation products in plant tissue

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Larson, S.L.; Jones, R.P.; Escalon, L.

Explosives contamination in surface or groundwater used for the irrigation of food crops and phytoremediation of explosives-contaminated soil or water using plant-assisted biodegradation have brought about concerns as to the fate of explosives in plants. Liquid scintillation counting, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gel permeation chromatography were utilized to characterize explosives (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine and trinitrotoluene) and their metabolites in plant tissues obtained from three separate studies. Analyzing tissues of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), corn (Zea mays), lettuce (Lacuta sativa), tomato (Lyopersicum esculentum), radish (Raphanus sativus), and parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) from three studies where exposure to explosives at nontoxic levels occurred showedmore » that extensive transformation of the explosive contaminant occurred, variations were noted in uptake and transformation between terrestrial and aquatic plants, the products had significantly higher polarity and water solubility than the parent compounds, and the molecular sizes of the transformation products were significantly greater than those of the parent compounds.« less

Liquid explosions induced by X-ray laser pulses

DOE PAGES

Stan, Claudiu A.; Milathianaki, Despina; Laksmono, Hartawan; ...

2016-05-23

Explosions are spectacular and intriguing phenomena that expose the dynamics of matter under extreme conditions. We investigated, using time-resolved imaging, explosions induced by ultraintense X-ray laser pulses in water drops and jets. Our observations revealed an explosive vaporization followed by high-velocity interacting flows of liquid and vapour, and by the generation of shock trains in the liquid jets. These flows are different from those previously observed in laser ablation, owing to a simpler spatial pattern of X-ray absorption. We show that the explosion dynamics in our experiments is consistent with a redistribution of absorbed energy, mediated by a pressure ormore » shock wave in the liquid, and we model the effects of explosions, including their adverse impact on X-ray laser experiments. As a result, X-ray laser explosions have predictable dynamics that may prove useful for controlling the state of pure liquids over broad energy scales and timescales, and for triggering pressure-sensitive molecular dynamics in solutions.« less

A Rose by Naming: How We May Learn How to Do It

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greer, R. Douglas; Longano, Jennifer

2010-01-01

Naming appears to be the source of the explosion in language development and involves the integration of the initially separate listener and speaker responses. This integration has a role in the development of reading, writing, and the following and construction of verbal algorithms that make types of complex human behavior possible. Considerable…

Environmental Assessment: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mission Beddown Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station Minneapolis, Minnesota

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

training area. The baseball/ softball field adjacent to Building 750. A parking lot and storage area on station property leased to the Minnesota Air...was constructed on this site to help reduce storm water runoff volume at MSPARS. The baseball/ softball field adjacent to Building 750. Site is the

49 CFR 176.133 - Magazine stowage Type C.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Magazine stowage Type C. 176.133 Section 176.133... Requirements for Class 1 (Explosive) Materials Stowage § 176.133 Magazine stowage Type C. The construction requirements for magazine stowage type C are the same as for a closed cargo transport unit in § 176.63(e). In...

Simulation Study of Near-Surface Coupling of Nuclear Devices vs. Equivalent High-Explosive Charges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fournier, Kevin B; Walton, Otis R; Benjamin, Russ

2014-09-29

A computational study was performed to examine the differences in near-surface ground-waves and air-blast waves generated by high-explosive energy sources and those generated by much higher energy - density low - yield nuclear sources. The study examined the effect of explosive-source emplacement (i.e., height-of-burst, HOB, or depth-of-burial, DOB) over a range from depths of -35m to heights of 20m, for explosions with an explosive yield of 1-kt . The chemical explosive was modeled by a JWL equation-of-state model for a ~14m diameter sphere of ANFO (~1,200,000kg – 1 k t equivalent yield ), and the high-energy-density source was modeled asmore » a one tonne (1000 kg) plasma of ‘Iron-gas’ (utilizing LLNL’s tabular equation-of-state database, LEOS) in a 2m diameter sphere, with a total internal-energy content equivalent to 1 k t . A consistent equivalent-yield coupling-factor approach was developed to compare the behavior of the two sources. The results indicate that the equivalent-yield coupling-factor for air-blasts from 1 k t ANFO explosions varies monotonically and continuously from a nearly perfec t reflected wave off of the ground surface for a HOB ≈ 20m, to a coupling factor of nearly zero at DOB ≈ -25m. The nuclear air - blast coupling curve, on the other hand, remained nearly equal to a perfectly reflected wave all the way down to HOB’s very near zero, and then quickly dropped to a value near zero for explosions with a DOB ≈ -10m. The near - surface ground - wave traveling horizontally out from the explosive source region to distances of 100’s of meters exhibited equivalent - yield coupling - factors t hat varied nearly linearly with HOB/DOB for the simulated ANFO explosive source, going from a value near zero at HOB ≈ 5m to nearly one at DOB ≈ -25m. The nuclear-source generated near-surface ground wave coupling-factor remained near zero for almost all HOB’s greater than zero, and then appeared to vary nearly - linearly with depth-of-burial until it reached a value of one at a DOB between 15m and 20m. These simulations confirm the expected result that the variation of coupling to the ground, or the air, change s much more rapidly with emplacement location for a high-energy-density (i.e., nuclear-like) explosive source than it does for relatively low - energy - density chemical explosive sources. The Energy Partitioning, Energy Coupling (EPEC) platform at LLNL utilizes laser energy from one quad (i.e. 4-laser beams) of the 192 - beam NIF Laser bank to deliver ~10kJ of energy to 1mg of silver in a hohlraum creating an effective small-explosive ‘source’ with an energy density comparable to those in low-yield nuclear devices. Such experiments have the potential to provide direct experimental confirmation of the simulation results obtained in this study, at a physical scale (and time-scale) which is a factor of 1000 smaller than the spatial- or temporal-scales typically encountered when dealing with nuclear explosions.« less

Short-Period Surface Wave Based Seismic Event Relocation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White-Gaynor, A.; Cleveland, M.; Nyblade, A.; Kintner, J. A.; Homman, K.; Ammon, C. J.

2017-12-01

Accurate and precise seismic event locations are essential for a broad range of geophysical investigations. Superior location accuracy generally requires calibration with ground truth information, but superb relative location precision is often achievable independently. In explosion seismology, low-yield explosion monitoring relies on near-source observations, which results in a limited number of observations that challenges our ability to estimate any locations. Incorporating more distant observations means relying on data with lower signal-to-noise ratios. For small, shallow events, the short-period (roughly 1/2 to 8 s period) fundamental-mode and higher-mode Rayleigh waves (including Rg) are often the most stable and visible portion of the waveform at local distances. Cleveland and Ammon [2013] have shown that teleseismic surface waves are valuable observations for constructing precise, relative event relocations. We extend the teleseismic surface wave relocation method, and apply them to near-source distances using Rg observations from the Bighorn Arche Seismic Experiment (BASE) and the Earth Scope USArray Transportable Array (TA) seismic stations. Specifically, we present relocation results using short-period fundamental- and higher-mode Rayleigh waves (Rg) in a double-difference relative event relocation for 45 delay-fired mine blasts and 21 borehole chemical explosions. Our preliminary efforts are to explore the sensitivity of the short-period surface waves to local geologic structure, source depth, explosion magnitude (yield), and explosion characteristics (single-shot vs. distributed source, etc.). Our results show that Rg and the first few higher-mode Rayleigh wave observations can be used to constrain the relative locations of shallow low-yield events.

Eye-safe UV Raman spectroscopy for remote detection of explosives and their precursors in fingerprint concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almaviva, S.; Angelini, F.; Chirico, R.; Palucci, A.; Nuvoli, M.; Schnuerer, F.; Schweikert, W.; Romolo, F. S.

2014-10-01

We report the results of Raman investigation performed at stand-off distance between 6-10 m with a new apparatus, capable to detect traces of explosives with surface concentrations similar to those of a single fingerprint. The device was developed as part of the RADEX prototype (RAman Detection of EXplosives) and is capable of detecting the Raman signal with a single laser shot of few ns (10-9 s) in the UV range (wavelength 266 nm), in conditions of safety for the human eye. This is because the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) for the human eye is established to be 3 mJ/cm2 in this wavelength region and pulse duration. Samples of explosives (PETN, TNT, Urea Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate) were prepared starting from solutions deposited on samples of common fabrics or clothing materials such as blue jeans, leather, polyester or polyamide. The deposition process takes place via a piezoelectric-controlled plotter device, capable of producing drops of welldefined volume, down to nanoliters, on a surface of several cm2, in order to carefully control the amount of explosive released to the tissue and thus simulate a slight stain on a garment of a potential terrorist. Depending on the type of explosive sampled, the detected density ranges from 0.1 to 1 mg/cm2 and is comparable to the density measured in a spot on a dress or a bag due to the contact with hands contaminated with explosives, as it could happen in the preparation of an improvised explosive device (IED) by a terrorist. To our knowledge the developed device is at the highest detection limits nowadays achievable in the field of eyesafe, stand-off Raman instruments. The signals obtained show some vibrational bands of the Raman spectra of our samples with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), allowing us to identify with high sensitivity (high number of True Positives) and selectivity (low number of False Positives) the explosives, so that the instrument could represent the basis for an automated and remote monitoring device.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ritter, Boyd

Insensitive high explosives (IHEs) based on 1,3,5-triamino 2,4,6-trinitro-benzene (TATB) are the IHEs of choice for use in nuclear warheads over conventional high explosives when safety is the only consideration, because they are very insensitive to thermal or mechanical initiation stimuli. It is this inherent insensitivity to high temperatures, shock, and impact, which provides detonation design challenges when designing TATB explosive systems while at the same time providing a significant level of protection against accidental initiation. Although classified as IHE, over the past few years the focus on explosive safety has demonstrated that the shock sensitivity of TATB is influenced withmore » respect to temperature. A number of studies have been performed on TATB and TATB formulations, plastic bonded explosives (PBX) 9502, and LX-17-01 (LX-17), which demonstrates the increase in shock sensitivity of the explosive after it has been preheated or thermally cycled over various temperature ranges. Many studies suggest the change in sensitivity is partly due to the decomposition rates of the temperature elevated TATB. Others point to the coefficient of thermal expansion, the crystalline structures of TATB and/or the combination of all factors, which create voids which can become active hot spots. During thermal cycling, TATB is known to undergo an irreversible increase in specific volume called ratchet growth. This increase in specific volume correlates to a decrease in density. This decrease in density and increase in volume, demonstrate the creations of additional void spaces which could serve as potential new initiation hot spots thus, increasing the overall sensitivity of the HE. This literature review evaluates the published works to understand why the shock sensitivity of TATB-based plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) changes with temperature.« less

Detonating apparatus

DOEpatents

Johnston, Lawrence H.

1976-01-01

1. Apparatus for detonation of high explosive in uniform timing comprising in combination, an outer case, spark gap electrodes insulatedly supported in spaced relationship within said case to form a spark gap, high explosive of the class consisting of pentaerythritol tetranitrate and trimethylene trinitramine substantially free from material sensitive to detonation by impact compressed in surrounding relation to said electrodes including said spark gap under a pressure from about 100 psi to about 500 psi, said spark gap with said compressed explosive therein requiring at least 1000 volts for sparking, and means for impressing at least 1000 volts on said spark gap.

Nuclear Fusion induced by Coulomb Explosion of Heteronuclear Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Last, Isidore; Jortner, Joshua

2001-07-01

We propose a new mechanism for the production of high-energy ( E>3 keV) deuterons, suitable to induce dd nuclear fusion, based on multielectron ionization and Coulomb explosion of heteronuclear deuterium containing molecular clusters, e.g., (D2O)n, in intense ( 1016-2×1018 W/cm2) laser fields. Cluster size equations for E, in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations, reveal important advantages of Coulomb explosion of (D2O)n heteronuclear clusters, as compared with (D)n clusters. These involve the considerably increased D+ kinetic energy and a narrow, high-energy distribution of deuterons.

Characterizing the energy output generated by a standard electric detonator using shadowgraph imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petr, V.; Lozano, E.

2017-09-01

This paper overviews a complete method for the characterization of the explosive energy output from a standard detonator. Measurements of the output of explosives are commonly based upon the detonation parameters of the chemical energy content of the explosive. These quantities provide a correct understanding of the energy stored in an explosive, but they do not provide a direct measure of the different modes in which the energy is released. This optically based technique combines high-speed and ultra-high-speed imaging to characterize the casing fragmentation and the detonator-driven shock load. The procedure presented here could be used as an alternative to current indirect methods—such as the Trauzl lead block test—because of its simplicity, high data accuracy, and minimum demand for test repetition. This technique was applied to experimentally measure air shock expansion versus time and calculating the blast wave energy from the detonation of the high explosive charge inside the detonator. Direct measurements of the shock front geometry provide insight into the physics of the initiation buildup. Because of their geometry, standard detonators show an initial ellipsoidal shock expansion that degenerates into a final spherical wave. This non-uniform shape creates variable blast parameters along the primary blast wave. Additionally, optical measurements are validated using piezoelectric pressure transducers. The energy fraction spent in the acceleration of the metal shell is experimentally measured and correlated with the Gurney model, as well as to several empirical formulations for blasts from fragmenting munitions. The fragment area distribution is also studied using digital particle imaging analysis and correlated with the Mott distribution. Understanding the fragmentation distribution plays a critical role when performing hazard evaluation from these types of devices. In general, this technique allows for characterization of the detonator within 6-8% error with no knowledge of the amount or type of explosive contained within the shell, making it also suitable for the study of unknown improvised explosive devices.

Nanotwin Formation in High-Manganese Austenitic Steels Under Explosive Shock Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canadinc, D.; Uzer, B.; Elmadagli, M.; Guner, F.

2018-04-01

The micro-deformation mechanisms active in a high-manganese austenitic steel were investigated upon explosive shock loading. Single system of nanotwins forming within primary twins were shown to govern the deformation despite the elevated temperatures attained during testing. The benefits of nanotwin formation for potential armor materials were demonstrated.

Novel circuits for energizing manganin stress gauges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasker, Douglas G.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the design of a novel MOSFET pulsed constant current supplies for low impedance Manganin stress gauges. The design emphasis has been on high accuracy, low noise, simple, low cost, disposable supplies that can be used to energize multiple gauges in explosive or shock experiments. The Manganin gauges used to measure stresses in detonating explosive experiments have typical resistances of 50 mΩ and are energized with pulsed currents of 50 A. Conventional pulsed, constant current supplies for these gauges are high voltage devices with outputs as high as 500 V. Common problems with the use of high voltage supplies at explosive firing sites are: erroneous signals caused by ground loops; overdrive of oscilloscopes on gauge failure; gauge signal crosstalk; cost; and errors due to changing load impedances. The new circuit corrects these issues. It is an 18-V circuit, powered by 9-V alkaline batteries, and features an optically isolated trigger, and single-point grounding. These circuits have been successfully tested at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in explosive experiments. [LA-UR-15-24819

Manufacture of dissolving pulps from cornstalk by novel method coupling steam explosion and mechanical carding fractionation.

PubMed

Wang, Ning; Chen, Hong-Zhang

2013-07-01

In order to solve the inhomogeneity of cornstalk as fiber material to manufacture dissolving pulp, a novel method of steam explosion coupling mechanical carding was put forward to fractionate cornstalk long fiber for the production of cornstalk dissolving pulp. The fractionated long fiber had homogeneous structure and low hemicellulose and ash content. The fiber cell content was up to 85% in area, and the hemicellulose and ash content was 8.34% and 1.10% respectively. The α-cellulose content of cornstalk dissolving pulps was up to 93.10-97.10%, the viscosity was 14.37-23.96 mPas, and the yields of cornstalk dissolving pulps were from 10.11% to 12.44%. In addition, the fractionated short fiber was to be hydrolyzed by enzyme to build sugar platform. The constructed method of steam explosion coupling mechanical carding achieved the fractionation of cornstalk into long fiber and short fiber cleanly and effectively, and provided a new way for cornstalk integrated refinery. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Femtogram detection of explosive nitroaromatics: fluoranthene-based fluorescent chemosensors.

PubMed

Venkatramaiah, N; Kumar, Shiv; Patil, Satish

2012-11-12

Herein we report a novel fluoranthene-based fluorescent fluorophore 7,10-bis(4-bromophenyl)-8,9-bis[4-(hexyloxy)phenyl]fluoranthene (S(3)) and its remarkable properties in applications of explosive detection. The sensitivity towards the detection of nitroaromatics (NACs) was evaluated through fluorescence quenching in solution, vapor, and contact mode approaches. The contact mode approach using thin-layer silica chromatographic plates exhibited a femtogram (1.15 fg cm(-2)) detection limit for trinitrotoluene (TNT) and picric acid (PA), whereas the solution-phase quenching showed PA detection at the 2-20 ppb level. Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed that the quenching is static in nature and the quenching process is fully reversible. Binding energies between model binding sites of the S(3) and analyte compounds reveal that analyte molecules enter into the cavity created by substituted phenyl rings of fluoranthene and are stabilized by strong intermolecular interactions with alkyl chains. It is anticipated that the sensor S(3) could be a promising material for the construction of portable optical devices for the detection of onsite explosive nitroaromatics. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

FAA bulk technology overview for explosives detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novakoff, Alan K.

1993-04-01

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the leading federal agency responsible for encouraging and fostering the development of a safe, secure, and efficient national airspace system (NAS). Our goal is to establish an operating environment that ensures a threat-free system to preclude acts of terrorism and fatalities. As part of the process to meet this goal, our research and development activities continually search for technologies to ensure aviation security. Recent acts of terrorism against the aviation community have demonstrated an increasing level of sophistication in the design and deployment of explosive devices. In order to prevent the introduction of explosives onto an aircraft they must be detected prior to passenger and baggage loading. The Bulk Detection program is one method of developing a number of technologies that 'see' into and 'alarm' on suspect baggage. These detection devices must be capable of providing this serve with a confidence commensurate with the state-of-the- art available today. This program utilizes the expertise of government agencies, universities and industries working toward constructing their plans and executing their designs to produce the best available equipment.

Generalized Pseudo-Reaction Zone Model for Non-Ideal Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wescott, B. L.

2007-12-01

The pseudo-reaction zone model was proposed to improve engineering scale simulations with high explosives that have a slow reaction component. In this work an extension of the pseudo-reaction zone model is developed for non-ideal explosives that propagate well below the steady-planar Chapman-Jouguet velocity. A programmed burn method utilizing Detonation Shock Dynamics (DSD) and a detonation velocity dependent pseudo-reaction rate has been developed for non-ideal explosives and applied to the explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO). The pseudo-reaction rate is calibrated to the experimentally obtained normal detonation velocity—shock curvature relation. Cylinder test simulations predict the proper expansion to within 1% even though significant reaction occurs as the cylinder expands.

Discrimination of smokeless powders by headspace SPME-GC-MS and SPME-GC-ECD, and the potential implications upon training canine detection of explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harper, Ross J.; Almirall, Jose R.; Furton, Kenneth G.

2005-05-01

This presentation will provide an odour analysis of a variety of smokeless powders & communicate the rapid SPME-GC-ECD method utilized. This paper will also discuss the implications of the headspace analysis of Smokeless Powders upon the choice of training aids for Explosives Detection Canines. Canine detection of explosives relies upon the dogs" ability to equate finding a given explosive odour with a reward, usually in the form of praise or play. The selection of explosives upon which the dogs are trained thus determines which explosives the canines can and potentially cannot find. Commonly, the training is focussed towards high explosives such as TNT and Composition 4, and the low explosives such as Black and Smokeless Powders are added often only for completeness. Powder explosives constitute a major component of explosive incidents throughout the US, and canines trained to detect explosives must be trained across the entire range of powder products. Given the variability in the manufacture and product make-up many smokeless powders do not share common odour chemicals, giving rise to concerns over the extensiveness of canine training. Headspace analysis of a selection of Smokeless Powders by Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography using Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) and Electron Capture Detectors (SPME-GC-ECD) has highlighted significant differences in the chemical composition of the odour available from different brands. This suggests that greater attention should be paid towards the choice of Powder Explosives when assigning canine training aids.

Fuze for explosive magnetohydrodynamic generator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Webb, G.

1976-12-23

An apparatus is examined by which high explosive charges are propelled into and detonated at the center of an MHD-X generator. The high explosive charge units are engaged and propelled by a reciprocating ram device. Detonating in each instance is achieved by striking with a firing pin a detonator charge that is in register with a booster charge, the booster charge being in detonating communication with the high explosive charge. Various safety requirements are satisfied by a spring loaded slider operating in a channel transverse and adjacent to the booster charge. The slide retains the detonator charge out of registermore » with the booster charge until a safety pin that holds the slider in place is pulled by a lanyard attached between the reciprocating ram and the safety pin. Removal of the safety pin permits the detonator charge to slide into alignment with the booster charge. Firing pin actuation is initiated by the slider at the instant the detonator charge and the booster charge come into register.« less

Thermal imaging and analysis of short-lived Vulcanian explosions at Volcán de Colima, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Erica B.; Varley, Nick R.; Pyle, David M.; Mather, Tamsin A.

2014-05-01

Vulcanian explosions present a major hazard at many active volcanoes, but they also provide useful insights into the underlying behaviour of the volcanic system and therefore require close monitoring. Thermal infrared cameras are an effective tool for imaging Vulcanian explosion plumes since they capture detailed temperature information, and can reveal the internal dynamics of the plume-forming explosions. High spatial resolution thermal images of 200 small to moderate sized Vulcanian explosions from the summit crater of Volcán de Colima, Mexico, recorded between 2006 and 2011, were analysed to distinguish different event types and develop an explosion classification scheme. Explosions display a broad spectrum of sizes and characteristics, ranging between two typical end-members: “large-impulsive” events producing rapidly ascending explosion plumes up to heights of 600-1600 m above the crater rim, and “small-diffusive” events with plumes restricted to heights < 600 m. Most explosion plumes comprise a steady “gas-thrust” feeder plume below a convecting plume front. Others, that lack sufficient kinetic energy, rise buoyantly throughout the explosion, with steady buoyant ascent velocities ranging from ~ 1 m s- 1 to ~ 29 m s- 1. A time-series of thermal imagery throughout the period 2006-2011 reveals a weak relationship between apparent plume temperatures and lava dome extrusion, with the highest explosion temperatures coinciding with the onset of dome growth in early 2007. Temporal variations in the source locations of explosions across the summit crater are also identified and appear to show a close relationship to the patterns of lava dome growth and thermal evolution, with explosion source locations associated with the highest temperature thermal features.

Insensitive explosive composition of halogenated copolymer and triaminotrinitrobenzene

DOEpatents

Benziger, Theodore M.

1976-01-01

A highly insensitive and heat resistant plastic-bonded explosive containing 90 wt % triaminotrinitrobenzene and 10 wt % of a fully saturated copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride is readily manufactured by the slurry process.

Shatter cones formed in large-scale experimental explosion craters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roddy, D. J.; Davis, L. K.

1977-01-01

In 1968, a series of 0.5-ton and 100-ton TNT explosion experiments were conducted in granitic rock near Cedar City, Utah, as part of a basic research program on cratering and shock wave propagation. Of special interest was the formation of an important type of shock metamorphic feature, shatter cones. A description is presented of the first reported occurrence of shatter cones in high explosion trials. A background to shatter cone studies is presented and attention is given to the test program, geology and physical properties of the test medium, the observed cratering, and the formational pressures for shatter cones. The high explosion trials conducted demonstrate beyond any doubt, that shatter cones can be formed by shock wave processes during cratering and that average formational pressures in these crystalline rocks are in the 20-60 kb range.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kay, Jeffrey J.; Park, Samuel; Kohl, Ian Thomas

In this work, shock-induced reactions in high explosives and their chemical mechanisms were investigated using state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques. Experimentally, ultrafast shock interrogation (USI, an ultrafast interferometry technique) and ultrafast absorption spectroscopy were used to interrogate shock compression and initiation of reaction on the picosecond timescale. The experiments yielded important new data that appear to indicate reaction of high explosives on the timescale of tens of picoseconds in response to shock compression, potentially setting new upper limits on the timescale of reaction. Theoretically, chemical mechanisms of shock-induced reactions were investigated using density functional theory. The calculations generated important insightsmore » regarding the ability of several hypothesized mechanisms to account for shock-induced reactions in explosive materials. The results of this work constitute significant advances in our understanding of the fundamental chemical reaction mechanisms that control explosive sensitivity and initiation of detonation.« less

Proton Radiography of a Thermal Explosion in PBX9501

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smilowitz, L.; Henson, B. F.; Romero, J. J.; Sandstrom, M. M.; Asay, B. W.; Schwartz, C.; Saunders, A.; Merrill, F.; Morris, C.; Murray, M. M.; McNeil, W. V.; Marr-Lyon, M.; Rightley, P. M.

2007-12-01

The understanding of thermal explosions and burn propagation lags that of detonations and shock propagation. Diagnostics such as high energy radiography have been used to image shocks, but have been previously precluded from use in thermal explosions due to their stringent timing requirements: shock propagation can be synchronized to an external diagnostic while thermal explosion can not. This issue is solved by following the evolution of the ignition volume in a thermal explosion and using a laser pulse to provide a temperature jump in that central volume during the final thermal runaway leading to ignition. Thermal explosion experiments have been conducted at the Los Alamos Proton Radiography facility and have yielded images of the evolution of ignition, post-ignition burn propagation, and case failure in a radially confined cylinder of PBX 9501. This paper presents images taken during the hours long quasistatic heating, the final minutes of thermal runaway, and the post ignition burn propagation.

Visualization of explosion phenomena using a high-speed video camera with an uncoupled objective lens by fiber-optic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tokuoka, Nobuyuki; Miyoshi, Hitoshi; Kusano, Hideaki; Hata, Hidehiro; Hiroe, Tetsuyuki; Fujiwara, Kazuhito; Yasushi, Kondo

2008-11-01

Visualization of explosion phenomena is very important and essential to evaluate the performance of explosive effects. The phenomena, however, generate blast waves and fragments from cases. We must protect our visualizing equipment from any form of impact. In the tests described here, the front lens was separated from the camera head by means of a fiber-optic cable in order to be able to use the camera, a Shimadzu Hypervision HPV-1, for tests in severe blast environment, including the filming of explosions. It was possible to obtain clear images of the explosion that were not inferior to the images taken by the camera with the lens directly coupled to the camera head. It could be confirmed that this system is very useful for the visualization of dangerous events, e.g., at an explosion site, and for visualizations at angles that would be unachievable under normal circumstances.

The Use of Explosive Forming for Fastening and Joining Structural and Pressure Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schroeder, J. W.

1985-01-01

Explosive expansion of tubes into tubesheets has been used for over 20 years in the fabrication and repair of shell and tube heat exchangers. The use of explosives to perform these expansions has offered several distinct advantages over other methods. First, the process is fast and economical and can be performed with minimal training of personnel. Secondly, explosive forming does not cause the deleterious metallurgical effects which often result from other forming operations. In addition, the process can be performed remotely without the need for sophisticated handling equipment. The expansion of tubes into tubesheets is only one of many possible fastening and joining applications for which explosive forming can be used to achieve highly successful results. The explosive forming process and where it has been used are described. In addition, some possible adaptations to other joining applications are identified and discussed.

Continuous-wave deep ultraviolet sources for resonance Raman explosive sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yellampalle, Balakishore; Martin, Robert; Sluch, Mikhail; McCormick, William; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian

2015-05-01

A promising approach to stand-off detection of explosive traces is using resonance Raman spectroscopy with Deepultraviolet (DUV) light. The DUV region offers two main advantages: strong explosive signatures due to resonant and λ- 4 enhancement of Raman cross-section, and lack of fluorescence and solar background. For DUV Raman spectroscopy, continuous-wave (CW) or quasi-CW lasers are preferable to high peak powered pulsed lasers because Raman saturation phenomena and sample damage can be avoided. In this work we present a very compact DUV source that produces greater than 1 mw of CW optical power. The source has high optical-to-optical conversion efficiency, greater than 5 %, as it is based on second harmonic generation (SHG) of a blue/green laser source using a nonlinear crystal placed in an external resonant enhancement cavity. The laser system is extremely compact, lightweight, and can be battery powered. Using two such sources, one each at 236.5 nm and 257.5 nm, we are building a second generation explosive detection system called Dual-Excitation-Wavelength Resonance-Raman Detector (DEWRRED-II). The DEWRRED-II system also includes a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, and a highly-sensitive detection algorithm. The DEWRRED technique exploits the DUV excitation wavelength dependence of Raman signal strength, arising from complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth. We show sensor measurements from explosives/precursor materials at different standoff distances.

Note: The full function test explosive generator.

PubMed

Reisman, D B; Javedani, J B; Griffith, L V; Ellsworth, G F; Kuklo, R M; Goerz, D A; White, A D; Tallerico, L J; Gidding, D A; Murphy, M J; Chase, J B

2010-03-01

We have conducted three tests of a new pulsed power device called the full function test. These tests represented the culmination of an effort to establish a high energy pulsed power capability based on high explosive pulsed power (HEPP) technology. This involved an extensive computational modeling, engineering, fabrication, and fielding effort. The experiments were highly successful and a new U.S. record for magnetic energy was obtained.

On the Interaction and Coalescence if Spherical Blast Waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kandula, Max; Freeman, Robert J.

2005-01-01

The scaling and similarity laws concerning the propagation of isolated spherical blast waves are briefly reviewed. Both point source explosions and high pressure gas explosions are considered. Test data on blast overpressure from the interaction and coalescence of spherical blast waves emanating from explosives in the form of shaped charges of different strength placed in the vicinity of a solid propellant stack are presented. These data are discussed with regard to the scaling laws concerning the decay of blast overpressure. The results point out the possibility of detecting source explosions from far-field pressure measurements.

Hidden explosives detector employing pulsed neutron and x-ray interrogation

DOEpatents

Schultz, F.J.; Caldwell, J.T.

1993-04-06

Methods and systems for the detection of small amounts of modern, highly-explosive nitrogen-based explosives, such as plastic explosives, hidden in airline baggage. Several techniques are employed either individually or combined in a hybrid system. One technique employed in combination is X-ray imaging. Another technique is interrogation with a pulsed neutron source in a two-phase mode of operation to image both nitrogen and oxygen densities. Another technique employed in combination is neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image or three-dimensional map. In addition, deliberately-placed neutron-absorbing materials can be detected.

A reactive flow model with coupled reaction kinetics for detonation and combustion in non-ideal explosives

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, P.J.

1996-07-01

A new reactive flow model for highly non-ideal explosives and propellants is presented. These compositions, which contain large amounts of metal, upon explosion have reaction kinetics that are characteristic of both fast detonation and slow metal combustion chemistry. A reaction model for these systems was incorporated into the two-dimensional, finite element, Lagrangian hydrodynamic code, DYNA2D. A description of how to determine the model parameters is given. The use of the model and variations are applied to AP, Al, and nitramine underwater explosive and propellant systems.

Hidden explosives detector employing pulsed neutron and x-ray interrogation

DOEpatents

Schultz, Frederick J.; Caldwell, John T.

1993-01-01

Methods and systems for the detection of small amounts of modern, highly-explosive nitrogen-based explosives, such as plastic explosives, hidden in airline baggage. Several techniques are employed either individually or combined in a hybrid system. One technique employed in combination is X-ray imaging. Another technique is interrogation with a pulsed neutron source in a two-phase mode of operation to image both nitrogen and oxygen densities. Another technique employed in combination is neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image or three-dimensional map. In addition, deliberately-placed neutron-absorbing materials can be detected.

Semiconductor bridge (SCB) detonator

DOEpatents

Bickes, R.W. Jr.; Grubelich, M.C.

1999-01-19

The present invention is a low-energy detonator for high-density secondary-explosive materials initiated by a semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter that comprises a pair of electrically conductive lands connected by a semiconductor bridge. The semiconductor bridge is in operational or direct contact with the explosive material, whereby current flowing through the semiconductor bridge causes initiation of the explosive material. Header wires connected to the electrically-conductive lands and electrical feed-throughs of the header posts of explosive devices, are substantially coaxial to the direction of current flow through the SCB, i.e., substantially coaxial to the SCB length. 3 figs.

Explosive Loading of Metals and Related Topics

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

Griffiths, "A U. K. Note on the History of Shaped Charges,• Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment Report, August 1983, presented...1925. 20. R. W. Wood, •optical and Physical Effects of High Explosives,• Proceedings of .the Royal Society (London), Vol. 157A, 1936, pp. 249-261...correctly analyzes geometric configurations in this report such as the Jelly Roll, the Dagwood and similar explosive-metal multilayer arrangements. In

Projectile-generating explosive access tool

DOEpatents

Jakaboski, Juan-Carlos [Albuquerque, NM; Hughs, Chance G [Tijeras, NM; Todd, Steven N [Rio Rancho, NM

2011-10-18

An explosive device that can generate a projectile from the opposite side of a wall from the side where the explosive device is detonated. The projectile can be generated without breaching the wall of the structure or container. The device can optionally open an aperture in a solid wall of a structure or a container and form a high-kinetic-energy projectile from the portion of the wall removed to create the aperture.

High Power Microwaves for Defense and Accelerator Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-11

pulsed power machines are typically made for laboratory simulation of charged particle and radiation spectra of nuclear explosions . Early on, it was...cathode and then explosive 10 ionization. After the first few nanoseconds, the electron emission is from a plasma produced at the cathode. Typically the...Virtually nothing is needed except an electron beam source. This power and simplicity makes vircators particularly interesting for single shot or explosively

THRESHOLD STUDIES ON TNT, COMPOSITION B, C-4, AND ANFO EXPLOSIVES USING THE STEVEN IMPACT TEST

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vandersall, K S; Switzer, L L; Garcia, F

2006-06-20

Steven Impact Tests were performed at low velocity on the explosives TNT (trinitrotolulene), Composition B (63% RDX, 36% TNT, and 1% wax by weight), C-4 (91% RDX, 5.3% Di (2-ethylhexyl) sebacate, 2.1% Polyisobutylene, and 1.6% motor oil by weight) and ANFO (94% ammonium Nitrate with 6% Fuel Oil) in attempts to obtain a threshold for reaction. A 76 mm helium driven gas gun was used to accelerate the Steven Test projectiles up to approximately 200 m/s in attempts to react (ignite) the explosive samples. Blast overpressure gauges, acoustic microphones, standard video and high-speed photography were used to characterize the levelmore » of any high explosive reaction violence. No bulk reactions were observed in the TNT, Composition B, C-4 or ANFO explosive samples impacted up to velocities in the range of 190-200 m/s. This work will outline the experimental details and discuss the lack of reaction when compared to the reaction thresholds of other common explosives. These results will also be compared to that of the Susan Test and reaction thresholds observed in the common small-scale safety tests such as the drop hammer and friction tests in hopes of drawing a correlation.« less

Transition-Metal-Doped p-Type ZnO Nanoparticle-Based Sensory Array for Instant Discrimination of Explosive Vapors.

PubMed

Qu, Jiang; Ge, Yuru; Zu, Baiyi; Li, Yuxiang; Dou, Xincun

2016-03-09

The development of portable, real-time, and cheap platforms to monitor ultratrace levels of explosives is of great urgence and importance due to the threat of terrorism attacks and the need for homeland security. However, most of the previous chemiresistor sensors for explosive detection are suffering from limited responses and long response time. Here, a transition-metal-doping method is presented to remarkably promote the quantity of the surface defect states and to significantly reduce the charge transfer distance by creating a local charge reservoir layer. Thus, the sensor response is greatly enhanced and the response time is remarkably shortened. The resulting sensory array can not only detect military explosives, such as, TNT, DNT, PNT, PA, and RDX with high response, but also can fully distinguish some of the improvised explosive vapors, such as AN and urea, due to the huge response reaching to 100%. Furthermore, this sensory array can discriminate ppb-level TNT and ppt-level RDX from structurally similar and high-concentration interfering aromatic gases in less than 12 s. Through comparison with the previously reported chemiresistor or Schottky sensors for explosive detection, the present transition-metal-doping method resulting ZnO sensor stands out and undoubtedly challenges the best. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Explosive bonding of metal-matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reece, O. Y.

1969-01-01

Explosive bonding process produces sheet composites of aluminum alloy reinforced by high-strength stainless steel wires. The bonds are excellent metallurgically, no external heat is required, various metals can be bonded, and the process is inexpensive.

Detection of explosives in soils

DOEpatents

Chambers, William B.; Rodacy, Philip J.; Phelan, James M.; Woodfin, Ronald L.

2002-01-01

An apparatus and method for detecting explosive-indicating compounds in subsurface soil. The apparatus has a probe with an adsorbent material on some portion of its surface that can be placed into soil beneath the ground surface, where the adsorbent material can adsorb at least one explosive-indicating compound. The apparatus additional has the capability to desorb the explosive-indicating compound through heating or solvent extraction. A diagnostic instrument attached to the probe detects the desorbed explosive-indicating compound. In the method for detecting explosive-indicating compounds in soil, the sampling probe with an adsorbent material on at least some portion of a surface of the sampling probe is inserted into the soil to contact the adsorbent material with the soil. The explosive-indicating compounds are then desorbed and transferred as either a liquid or gas sample to a diagnostic tool for analysis. The resulting gas or liquid sample is analyzed using at least one diagnostic tool selected from the group consisting of an ion-mobility spectrometer, a gas chromatograph, a high performance liquid chromatograph, a capillary electrophoresis chromatograph, a mass spectrometer, a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer and a Raman spectrometer to detect the presence of explosive-indicating compounds.

Direct real-time detection of vapors from explosive compounds.

PubMed

Ewing, Robert G; Clowers, Brian H; Atkinson, David A

2013-11-19

The real-time detection of vapors from low volatility explosives including PETN, tetryl, RDX, and nitroglycerine along with various compositions containing these substances was demonstrated. This was accomplished with an atmospheric flow tube (AFT) using a nonradioactive ionization source coupled to a mass spectrometer. Direct vapor detection was accomplished in less than 5 s at ambient temperature without sample preconcentration. The several seconds of residence time of analytes in the AFT provided a significant opportunity for reactant ions to interact with analyte vapors to achieve ionization. This extended reaction time, combined with the selective ionization using the nitrate reactant ions (NO3(-) and NO3(-)·HNO3), enabled highly sensitive explosives detection from explosive vapors present in ambient laboratory air. Observed signals from diluted explosive vapors indicated detection limits below 10 ppqv using selected ion monitoring (SIM) of the explosive-nitrate adduct at m/z 349, 378, 284, and 289 for tetryl, PETN, RDX, and NG, respectively. Also provided is a demonstration of the vapor detection from 10 different energetic formulations sampled in ambient laboratory air, including double base propellants, plastic explosives, and commercial blasting explosives using SIM for the NG, PETN, and RDX product ions.

Optical measurements of flyer plate acceleration by emulsion explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubota, Shiro; Shimada, Hideki; Matsui, Kikuo; Ogata, Yuji; Seto, Masahiro; Masui, Akira; Wada, Yuji; Liu, Zhi-Yue; Itoh, Shigeru

2001-04-01

This paper presents the study on the application of explosive welding technique to the field of the urgent repair of the gas and water pipe networks. The essential parameters related to the explosive welding are scrutinized from the point of view of the minimizing the damage to the steel pipe after welded explosively with a flyer plate. The emulsion explosive is contained in a rectangular hard-paper box whose bottom is the flyer plate with 100 mm length, 25 mm width and 1.5 mm thickness. The flyer motions of the flyer plates accelerated by emulsion explosive are observed by high-speed photography from the side and front view of the flyer plate. The damage to the pipe by the flyer plate is discussed with the results of the observation of flyer motion and explosive welding test under various experimental conditions. Moreover, one way to control the motion of the flyer plate is proposed. We put a PMMA buffer block into the explosive. The flying process of flyer plate is calculated by the finite different scheme based on the ALE method. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by the experimental and numerical studies.

Monte Carlo simulation of explosive detection system based on a Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) neutron generator.

PubMed

Bergaoui, K; Reguigui, N; Gary, C K; Brown, C; Cremer, J T; Vainionpaa, J H; Piestrup, M A

2014-12-01

An explosive detection system based on a Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) neutron generator has been simulated using the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP5). Nuclear-based explosive detection methods can detect explosives by identifying their elemental components, especially nitrogen. Thermal neutron capture reactions have been used for detecting prompt gamma emission (10.82MeV) following radiative neutron capture by (14)N nuclei. The explosive detection system was built based on a fully high-voltage-shielded, axial D-D neutron generator with a radio frequency (RF) driven ion source and nominal yield of about 10(10) fast neutrons per second (E=2.5MeV). Polyethylene and paraffin were used as moderators with borated polyethylene and lead as neutron and gamma ray shielding, respectively. The shape and the thickness of the moderators and shields are optimized to produce the highest thermal neutron flux at the position of the explosive and the minimum total dose at the outer surfaces of the explosive detection system walls. In addition, simulation of the response functions of NaI, BGO, and LaBr3-based γ-ray detectors to different explosives is described. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Explosions of Thorne-Żytkow objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriya, Takashi J.

2018-03-01

We propose that massive Thorne-Żytkow objects can explode. A Thorne-Żytkow object is a theoretically predicted star that has a neutron core. When nuclear reactions supporting a massive Thorne-Żytkow object terminate, a strong accretion occurs towards the central neutron core. The accretion rate is large enough to sustain a super-Eddington accretion towards the neutron core. The neutron core may collapse to a black hole after a while. A strong large-scale outflow or a jet can be launched from the super-Eddington accretion disc and the collapsing Thorne-Żytkow object can be turned into an explosion. The ejecta have about 10 M⊙ but the explosion energy depends on when the accretion is suppressed. We presume that the explosion energy could be as low as ˜1047 erg and such a low-energy explosion could be observed like a failed supernova. The maximum possible explosion energy is ˜1052 erg and such a high-energy explosion could be observed as an energetic Type II supernova or a superluminous supernova. Explosions of Thorne-Żytkow objects may provide a new path to spread lithium and other heavy elements produced through the irp process such as molybdenum in the Universe.

Development of a technique using MCNPX code for determination of nitrogen content of explosive materials using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasrabadi, M. N.; Bakhshi, F.; Jalali, M.; Mohammadi, A.

2011-12-01

Nuclear-based explosive detection methods can detect explosives by identifying their elemental components, especially nitrogen. Thermal neutron capture reactions have been used for detecting prompt gamma 10.8 MeV following radioactive neutron capture by 14N nuclei. We aimed to study the feasibility of using field-portable prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) along with improved nuclear equipment to detect and identify explosives, illicit substances or landmines. A 252Cf radio-isotopic source was embedded in a cylinder made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and the cylinder was then placed in another cylindrical container filled with water. Measurements were performed on high nitrogen content compounds such as melamine (C3H6N6). Melamine powder in a HDPE bottle was placed underneath the vessel containing water and the neutron source. Gamma rays were detected using two NaI(Tl) crystals. The results were simulated with MCNP4c code calculations. The theoretical calculations and experimental measurements were in good agreement indicating that this method can be used for detection of explosives and illicit drugs.

Testing Event Discrimination over Broad Regions using the Historical Borovoye Observatory Explosion Dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasyanos, Michael E.; Ford, Sean R.; Walter, William R.

2014-03-01

We test the performance of high-frequency regional P/S discriminants to differentiate between earthquakes and explosions at test sites and over broad regions using a historical dataset of explosions recorded at the Borovoye Observatory in Kazakhstan. We compare these explosions to modern recordings of earthquakes at the same location. We then evaluate the separation of the two types of events using the raw measurements and those where the amplitudes are corrected for 1-D and 2-D attenuation structure. We find that high-frequency P/S amplitudes can reliably identify earthquakes and explosions, and that the discriminant is applicable over broad regions as long as propagation effects are properly accounted for. Lateral attenuation corrections provide the largest improvement in the 2-4 Hz band, the use of which may successfully enable the identification of smaller, distant events that have lower signal-to-noise at higher frequencies. We also find variations in P/S ratios among the three main nuclear testing locations within the Semipalatinsk Test Site which, due to their nearly identical paths to BRVK, must be a function of differing geology and emplacement conditions.

Study on the effect of temperature rise on grain refining during fabrication of nanocrystalline copper under explosive loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinxiang; Yang, Rui; Jiang, Li; Wang, Xiaoxu; Zhou, Nan

2013-11-01

Nanocrystalline (NC) copper was fabricated by severe plastic deformation of coarse-grained copper at a high strain rate under explosive loading. The feasibility of grain refinement under different explosive loading and the influence of overall temperature rise on grain refinement under impact compression were studied in this paper. The calculation model for the macroscopic temperature rise was established according to the adiabatic shock compression theory. The calculation model for coarse-grained copper was established by the Voronoi method and the microscopic temperature rise resulted from severe plastic deformation of grains was calculated by ANSYS/ls-dyna finite element software. The results show that it is feasible to fabricate NC copper by explosively dynamic deformation of coarse-grained copper and the average grain size of the NC copper can be controlled between 200˜400 nm. The whole temperature rise would increase with the increasing explosive thickness. Ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosive was adopted and five different thicknesses of the explosive, which are 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 45 mm, respectively, with the same diameter using 20 mm to the fly plate were adopted. The maximum macro and micro temperature rise is up to 532.4 K, 143.4 K, respectively, which has no great effect on grain refinement due to the whole temperature rise that is lower than grain growth temperature according to the high pressure melting theory.

Real-time explosive particle detection using a cyclone particle concentrator.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Yuichiro; Nagano, Hisashi; Takada, Yasuaki; Kashima, Hideo; Sugaya, Masakazu; Terada, Koichi; Sakairi, Minoru

2014-06-30

There is a need for more rapid methods for the detection of explosive particles. We have developed a novel real-time analysis technique for explosive particles that uses a cyclone particle concentrator. This technique can analyze sample surfaces for the presence of particles from explosives such as TNT and RDX within 3 s, which is much faster than is possible by conventional methods. Particles are detached from the sample surface with air jet pulses, and then introduced into a cyclone particle concentrator with a high pumping speed of about 80 L/min. A vaporizer placed at the bottom of the cyclone particle concentrator immediately converts the particles into a vapor. The vapor is then ionized in the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source of a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. An online connection between the vaporizer and a mass spectrometer enables high-speed detection within a few seconds, compared with the conventional off-line heating method that takes more than 10 s to raise the temperature of a sample filter unit. Since the configuration enriched the number density of explosive particles by about 80 times compared with that without the concentrator, a sub-ng amount of TNT particles on a surface was detectable. The detection limit of our technique is comparable with that of an explosives trace detector using ion mobility spectrometry. The technique will be beneficial for trace detection in security applications, because it detects explosive particles on the surface more speedily than conventional methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On the high fidelity simulation of chemical explosions and their interaction with solid particle clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakrishnan, Kaushik

The flow field behind chemical explosions in multiphase environments is investigated using a robust, state-of-the-art simulation strategy that accounts for the thermodynamics, gas dynamics and fluid mechanics of relevance to the problem. Focus is laid on the investigation of blast wave propagation, growth of hydrodynamic instabilities behind explosive blasts, the mixing aspects behind explosions, the effects of afterburn and its quantification, and the role played by solid particles in these phenomena. In particular, the confluence and interplay of these different physical phenomena are explored from a fundamental perspective, and applied to the problem of chemical explosions. A solid phase solver suited for the study of high-speed, two-phase flows has been developed and validated. This solver accounts for the inter-phase mass, momentum and energy transfer through empirical laws, and ensures two-way coupling between the two phases, viz. solid particles and gas. For dense flow fields, i.e., when the solid volume fraction becomes non-negligible (˜60%), the finite volume method with a Godunov type shock-capturing scheme requires modifications to account for volume fraction gradients during the computation of cell interface gas fluxes. To this end, the simulation methodology is extended with the formulation of an Eulerian gas, Lagrangian solid approach, thereby ensuring that the so developed two-phase simulation strategy can be applied for both flow conditions, dilute and dense alike. Moreover, under dense loading conditions the solid particles inevitably collide, which is accounted for in the current research effort with the use of an empirical collision/contact model from literature. Furthermore, the post-detonation flow field consists of gases under extreme temperature and pressure conditions, necessitating the use of real gas equations of state in the multiphase model. This overall simulation strategy is then extended to the investigation of chemical explosions in multiphase environments, with emphasis on the study of hydrodynamic instability growth, mixing, afterburn effects ensuing from the process, particle ignition and combustion (if reactive), dispersion, and their interaction with the vortices in the mixing layer. The post-detonation behavior of heterogeneous explosives is addressed by using three parts to the investigation. In the first part, only one-dimensional effects are considered, with the goal to assess the presently developed dense two-phase formulation. The total deliverable impulsive loading from heterogeneous explosive charges containing inert steel particles is estimated for a suite of operating parameters and compared, and it is demonstrated that heterogeneous explosive charges deliver a higher near-field impulse than homogeneous explosive charges containing the same mass of the high explosive. In the second part, three-dimensional effects such as hydrodynamic instabilities are accounted for, with the focus on characterizing the mixing layer ensuing from the detonation of heterogeneous explosive charges containing inert steel particles. It is shown that particles introduce significant amounts of hydrodynamic instabilities in the mixing layer, resulting in additional physical phenomena that play a prominent role in the flow features. In particular, the fluctuation intensities, fireball size and growth rates are augmented for heterogeneous explosions vis-a-vis homogeneous explosions, thereby demonstrating that solid particles enhance the perturbation intensities in the flow. In the third part of the investigation of heterogeneous explosions, dense, aluminized explosions are considered, and the particles are observed to burn in two phases, with an initial quenching due to the rarefaction wave, and a final quenching outside the fireball. Due to faster response time scales, smaller particles are observed to heat and accelerate more during early times, and also cool and decelerate more at late times, compared to counterpart larger particle sizes. Furthermore, the average particle velocities at late times are observed to be independent of the initial solid volume fraction in the explosive charge, as the particles eventually reach an equilibrium with the local gas. These studies have provided some crucial insights to the flow physics of dense, aluminized explosives. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Influence of the parameters of a high-frequency acoustic wave on the structure, properties, and plastic flow of metal in the zone of a joint of materials welded by ultrasound-assisted explosive welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peev, A. P.; Kuz'min, S. V.; Lysak, V. I.; Kuz'min, E. V.; Dorodnikov, A. N.

2017-05-01

The results of an investigation of the influence of the parameters of high-frequency acoustic wave on the structure and properties of the zone of joint of homogeneous metals bonded by explosive welding under the action of ultrasound have been presented. The influence of the frequency and amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations on the structure and properties of the explosively welded joints compared with the samples welded without the application of ultrasound has been established. The action of high-frequency acoustic waves on the metal leads to a reduction in the dynamic yield stress, which changes the properties of the surface layers of the metal and the conditions of the formation of the joint of the colliding plates upon the explosive welding. It has been shown that the changes in the length and amplitude of waves that arise in the weld joint upon the explosive welding with the simultaneous action of ultrasonic vibrations are connected with a decrease in the magnitude of the deforming pulse and time of action of the compressive stresses that exceed the dynamic yield stress beyond the point of contact.

Asymmetries in Core-Collapse Supernovae from Maps of Radioactiver 44Ti in Cassiopeia A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grefenstette, B.W.; Harrison, F. A.; Boggs, S. E.; Reynolds, S. P.; Fryer, C. L.; Madsen, K. K.; Wik, Daniel R.; Zoglauer, A.; Ellinger, C. I.; Alexander, D. M.;

Steam explosion of oil palm residues for the production of durable pellets

DOE PAGES

Lam, Pak Sui; Lam, Pak Yiu; Sokhansanj, Shahab; ...

2015-01-03

Here we investigated the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets made from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) and we compared to that of softwood Douglas fir (DF). We found that the high heating value of the empty fruit bunch was increased by 21% after steam explosion pretreatment. The pellet density of EFB and Douglas fir pellets did not change while the pellet density of PKS increased from 1.13 to 1.21 g/cm 3 after steam explosion. That may be attributed to the rapid volatilization of high mass fraction extractivesmore » during high pressure steaming and lead to the shrinkage of micropores of the PKS fibers. The maximum brealdng strength of steam exploded EFB and PKS were increased by 63% and 45%, respectively. The required compaction energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet is 44.50 J/g while that of the untreated EFB pellet is 30.15 J/g. Similar to Douglas fir, the required extrusion energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet was about 6 times than that of the untreated EFB pellet. The increased extrusion energy is mainly contributed by the increase in mono-saccharides by auto-hydrolysis during steam explosion pretreatment.« less

Dual-excitation wavelength resonance Raman explosives detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yellampalle, Balakishore; Sluch, Mikhail; Wu, Hai-Shan; Martin, Robert; McCormick, William; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian E.

2013-05-01

Deep-ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy (DUVRRS) is a promising approach to stand-off detection of explosive traces due to: 1) resonant enhancement of Raman cross-section, 2) λ-4-cross-section enhancement, and 3) fluorescence and solar background free signatures. For trace detection, these signal enhancements more than offset the small penetration depth due to DUV absorption. A key challenge for stand-off sensors is to distinguish explosives, with high confidence, from a myriad of unknown background materials that may have interfering spectral peaks. To address this, we are developing a stand-off explosive sensor using DUVRRS with two simultaneous DUV excitation wavelengths. Due to complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth, significant amplitude variation is observed between corresponding Raman bands with different excitation wavelengths. These variations with excitation wavelength provide an orthogonal signature that complements the traditional Raman signature to improve specificity relative to single-excitation-wavelength techniques. As part of this effort, we are developing two novel CW DUV lasers, which have potential to be compact, and a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, capable of simultaneous detection of Raman spectra in two spectral windows. We have also developed a highly sensitive algorithm for the detection of explosives under low signal-to-noise situations.

Steam explosion of oil palm residues for the production of durable pellets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lam, Pak Sui; Lam, Pak Yiu; Sokhansanj, Shahab

Here we investigated the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets made from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) and we compared to that of softwood Douglas fir (DF). We found that the high heating value of the empty fruit bunch was increased by 21% after steam explosion pretreatment. The pellet density of EFB and Douglas fir pellets did not change while the pellet density of PKS increased from 1.13 to 1.21 g/cm 3 after steam explosion. That may be attributed to the rapid volatilization of high mass fraction extractivesmore » during high pressure steaming and lead to the shrinkage of micropores of the PKS fibers. The maximum brealdng strength of steam exploded EFB and PKS were increased by 63% and 45%, respectively. The required compaction energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet is 44.50 J/g while that of the untreated EFB pellet is 30.15 J/g. Similar to Douglas fir, the required extrusion energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet was about 6 times than that of the untreated EFB pellet. The increased extrusion energy is mainly contributed by the increase in mono-saccharides by auto-hydrolysis during steam explosion pretreatment.« less

Hierarchically Flower-like N-Doped Porous Carbon Materials Derived from an Explosive 3-Fold Interpenetrating Diamondoid Copper Metal-Organic Framework for a Supercapacitor.

PubMed

Li, Zuo-Xi; Zou, Kang-Yu; Zhang, Xue; Han, Tong; Yang, Ying

2016-07-05

A peculiar copper metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) was synthesized by a self-assembly method, which presents a 3-fold interpenetrating diamondoid net based on the square-planar Cu(II) node. Although it exhibits a high degree of interpenetration, the Cu-MOF still exhibits a one-dimensional channel, which provides a template for constructing porous materials through the "precursor" strategy. Furthermore, the explosive ClO4(-) ion, which resided in the channel, could induce the quick decomposition of organic ingredients and release a huge amount of gas, which is beneficial for the porosity of postsynthetic materials. Significantly, we first utilize this explosive MOF to prepare a series of Cu@C composites through the calcination-thermolysis method at different temperatures, which contain copper particles exhibiting various shapes and combinations with the carbon substrate. Considering the hole-forming effect of copper particles, Cu@C composites were etched by HCl to afford a sequence of hierarchically flower-like N-doped porous carbon materials (NPCs), which retain the original morphology of the Cu-MOF. Interestingly, NPC-900, originating from the calcination of the Cu-MOF at 900 °C, exhibits a more regular flower-like morphology, the largest specific surface area, abundant porosities, and multiple nitrogen functionalities. The remarkable specific capacitances are 138 F g(-1) at 5 mV s(-1) and 149 F g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) for the NPC-900 electrode in a 6 M potassium hydroxide aqueous solution. Moreover, the retention of capacitance remains 86.8% (125 F g(-1)) at 1 A g(-1) over 2000 cycles, which displays good chemical stability. These findings suggest that NPC-900 can be applied as a suitable electrode for a supercapacitor.

Compressive strength after blast of sandwich composite materials

PubMed Central

Arora, H.; Kelly, M.; Worley, A.; Del Linz, P.; Fergusson, A.; Hooper, P. A.; Dear, J. P.

2014-01-01

Composite sandwich materials have yet to be widely adopted in the construction of naval vessels despite their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and low radar return. One barrier to their wider use is our limited understanding of their performance when subjected to air blast. This paper focuses on this problem and specifically the strength remaining after damage caused during an explosion. Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite skins on a styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN) polymer closed-cell foam core are the primary composite system evaluated. Glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite skins were also included for comparison in a comparable sandwich configuration. Full-scale blast experiments were conducted, where 1.6×1.3 m sized panels were subjected to blast of a Hopkinson–Cranz scaled distance of 3.02 m kg−1/3, 100 kg TNT equivalent at a stand-off distance of 14 m. This explosive blast represents a surface blast threat, where the shockwave propagates in air towards the naval vessel. Hopkinson was the first to investigate the characteristics of this explosive air-blast pulse (Hopkinson 1948 Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 89, 411–413 (doi:10.1098/rspa.1914.0008)). Further analysis is provided on the performance of the CFRP sandwich panel relative to the GFRP sandwich panel when subjected to blast loading through use of high-speed speckle strain mapping. After the blast events, the residual compressive load-bearing capacity is investigated experimentally, using appropriate loading conditions that an in-service vessel may have to sustain. Residual strength testing is well established for post-impact ballistic assessment, but there has been less research performed on the residual strength of sandwich composites after blast. PMID:24711494

Highly efficient SERS substrate for direct detection of explosive TNT using popcorn-shaped gold nanoparticle-functionalized SWCNT hybrid.

PubMed

Demeritte, Teresa; Kanchanapally, Rajashekhar; Fan, Zhen; Singh, Anant Kumar; Senapati, Dulal; Dubey, Madan; Zakar, Eugene; Ray, Paresh Chandra

2012-11-07

This paper reports for the first time the development of a large-scale SERS substrate from a popcorn-shaped gold nanoparticle-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes hybrid thin film for the selective and highly sensitive detection of explosive TNT material at a 100 femtomolar (fM) level.

Characterization of shock-dependent reaction rates in an aluminum/perfluoropolyether pyrolant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Dennis; Granier, John; Johnson, Richard; Littrell, Donald

2017-01-01

Energetic formulations of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and aluminum are highly non-ideal. They release energy via a fast self-oxidized combustion wave rather than a true self-sustaining detonation. Unlike high explosives, the reactions are shock dependent and can be overdriven to control energy release rate. Reaction rate experiments show that the velocity can vary from 1.25 to 3 km/s. This paper examines the effect of the initial shock conditions upon the reaction rate of the explosive. The following conditions were varied in a series of reaction rate experiments: the high explosive booster mass and geometry; shock attenuation; confinement; and rate stick diameter and length. Several experiments designed to isolate and quantify these dependencies are described and summarized.

Numerical modelling of underwater detonation of non-ideal condensed-phase explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoch, Stefan; Nikiforakis, Nikolaos

2015-01-01

The interest in underwater detonation tests originated from the military, since the expansion and subsequent collapse of the explosive bubble can cause considerable damage to surrounding structures or vessels. In military applications, the explosive is typically represented as a pre-burned material under high pressure, a reasonable assumption due to the short reaction zone lengths, and complete detonation of the unreacted explosive. Hence, numerical simulations of underwater detonation tests have been primarily concerned with the prediction of target loading and the damage incurred rather than the accurate modelling of the underwater detonation process. The mining industry in contrast has adopted the underwater detonation test as a means to experimentally characterise the energy output of their highly non-ideal explosives depending on explosive type and charge configuration. This characterisation requires a good understanding of how the charge shape, pond topography, charge depth, and additional charge confinement affect the energy release, some of which can be successfully quantified with the support of accurate numerical simulations. In this work, we propose a numerical framework which is able to capture the non-ideal explosive behaviour and in addition is capable of capturing both length scales: the reaction zone and the pond domain. The length scale problem is overcome with adaptive mesh refinement, which, along with the explosive model, is validated against experimental data of various TNT underwater detonations. The variety of detonation and bubble behaviour observed in non-ideal detonations is demonstrated in a parameter study over the reactivity of TNT. A representative underwater mining test containing an ammonium-nitrate fuel-oil ratestick charge is carried out to demonstrate that the presented method can be readily applied alongside experimental underwater detonation tests.

Construction of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Biosensors with Novel Sensing Elements from Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655.

PubMed

Tan, Junjie; Kan, Naipeng; Wang, Wei; Ling, Jingyi; Qu, Guolong; Jin, Jing; Shao, Yu; Liu, Gang; Chen, Huipeng

2015-06-01

Detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been extensively studied since it is a common explosive filling for landmines, posing significant threats to the environment and human safety. The rapid advances in synthetic biology give new hope to detect such toxic and hazardous compounds in a more sensitive and safe way. Biosensor construction anticipates finding sensing elements able to detect TNT. As TNT can induce some physiological responses in E. coli, it may be useful to define the sensing elements from E. coli to detect TNT. An E. coli MG1655 genomic promoter library containing nearly 5,400 elements was constructed. Five elements, yadG, yqgC, aspC, recE, and topA, displayed high sensing specificity to TNT and its indicator compounds 1,3-DNB and 2,4-DNT. Based on this, a whole cell biosensor was constructed using E. coli, in which green fluorescent protein was positioned downstream of the five sensing elements via genetic fusion. The threshold value, detection time, EC200 value, and other aspects of five sensing elements were determined and the minimum responding concentration to TNT was 4.75 mg/L. According to the synthetic biology, the five sensing elements enriched the reservoir of TNT-sensing elements, and provided a more applicable toolkit to be applied in genetic routes and live systems of biosensors in future.

Army Research Laboratory 2009 Annual Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

and in new Navy DDX and DDG ships . As a result of the high performance and low weight of composite materials, it is very likely that the Services...labs, an explosives casting lab, and it also has explosives x-ray capability . An indoor small arms shooting performance simulator with a high ...of nervous systems, rather than simply depending upon the adaptive abilities of Soldiers, and radically improve Soldier-system performance . a high

Ultra-Fine Highly Energetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles with Triggerable Protective Coatings

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

volume ratios and strong electronic coupling, which offers higher stored energy densities and decreased warhead size. Current technologies produce nano...aluminum (Al) – the most attractive high-energetic candidate for the use in explosives because of its density and high relative heat of oxide...major breakthrough in the area of explosive materials. II. Project Objectives The overall objective of this research program was to develop a new

Thermal-mechanical-chemical responses of polymer-bonded explosives using a mesoscopic reactive model under impact loading.

PubMed

Wang, XinJie; Wu, YanQing; Huang, FengLei

2017-01-05

A mesoscopic framework is developed to quantify the thermal-mechanical-chemical responses of polymer-bonded explosive (PBX) samples under impact loading. A mesoscopic reactive model is developed for the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) crystal, which incorporates nonlinear elasticity, crystal plasticity, and temperature-dependent chemical reaction. The proposed model was implemented in the finite element code ABAQUS by the user subroutine VUMAT. A series of three-dimensional mesoscale models were constructed and calculated under low-strength impact loading scenarios from 100m/s to 600m/s where only the first wave transit is studied. Crystal anisotropy and microstructural heterogeneity are responsible for the nonuniform stress field and fluctuations of the stress wave front. At a critical impact velocity (≥300m/s), a chemical reaction is triggered because the temperature contributed by the volumetric and plastic works is sufficiently high. Physical quantities, including stress, temperature, and extent of reaction, are homogenized from those across the microstructure at the mesoscale to compare with macroscale measurements, which will advance the continuum-level models. The framework presented in this study has important implications in understanding hot spot ignition processes and improving predictive capabilities in energetic materials. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

8. BUILDING NO. 611. INTERIOR OF ARMOR PLATELINED TESTING CHAMBER. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

8. BUILDING NO. 611. INTERIOR OF ARMOR PLATE-LINED TESTING CHAMBER. 1/2' THICK ARMOR PLATING BOLTED TO WALLS, FLOOR AND CEILING. WALLS CONSTRUCTED OF 24' THICK REINFORCED CONCRETE. VENTS IN CEILING EXHAUST SMOKE FROM EXPLOSIONS. SMALLEST WHEELED VEHICLES HOLD DUDS. - Picatinny Arsenal, 600 Area, Test Areas District, State Route 15 near I-80, Dover, Morris County, NJ

Beam Dynamics for ARIA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ekdahl, Carl August Jr.

2014-10-14

Beam dynamics issues are assessed for a new linear induction electron accelerator being designed for flash radiography of large explosively driven hydrodynamic experiments. Special attention is paid to equilibrium beam transport, possible emittance growth, and beam stability. It is concluded that a radiographic quality beam will be produced possible if engineering standards and construction details are equivalent to those on the present radiography accelerators at Los Alamos.

Generalized Pseudo-Reaction Zone Model for Non-Ideal Explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wescott, Bradley

2007-06-01

The pseudo-reaction zone model was proposed to improve engineering scale simulations when using Detonation Shock Dynamics with high explosives that have a slow reaction component. In this work an extension of the pseudo-reaction zone model is developed for non-ideal explosives that propagate well below their steady-planar Chapman-Jouguet velocity. A programmed burn method utilizing Detonation Shock Dynamics and a detonation velocity dependent pseudo-reaction rate has been developed for non-ideal explosives and applied to the explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO). The pseudo-reaction rate is calibrated to the experimentally obtained normal detonation velocity---shock curvature relation. The generalized pseudo-reaction zone model proposed here predicts the cylinder expansion to within 1% by accounting for the slow reaction in ANFO.

Determination of performance of non-ideal aluminized explosives.

PubMed

Keshavarz, Mohammad Hossein; Mofrad, Reza Teimuri; Poor, Karim Esmail; Shokrollahi, Arash; Zali, Abbas; Yousefi, Mohammad Hassan

2006-09-01

Non-ideal explosives can have Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) detonation pressure significantly different from those expected from existing thermodynamic computer codes, which usually allows finding the parameters of ideal detonation of individual high explosives with good accuracy. A simple method is introduced by which detonation pressure of non-ideal aluminized explosives with general formula C(a)H(b)N(c)O(d)Al(e) can be predicted only from a, b, c, d and e at any loading density without using any assumed detonation products and experimental data. Calculated detonation pressures show good agreement with experimental values with respect to computed results obtained by complicated computer code. It is shown here how loading density and atomic composition can be integrated into an empirical formula for predicting detonation pressure of proposed aluminized explosives.

The Interplay of Opacities and Rotation in Promoting the Explosion of Core-Collapse Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vartanyan, David; Burrows, Adam; Radice, David

2018-01-01

For over five decades, the mechanism of explosion in core-collapse supernovae has been a central unsolved problem in astrophysics, challenging both our computational capabilities and our understanding of relevant physics. Current simulations often produce explosions, but they are at times underenergetic. The neutrino mechanism, wherein a fraction of emitted neutrinos is absorbed in the mantle of the star to reignite the stalled shock, remains the dominant model for reviving explosions in massive stars undergoing core collapse. We present here a diverse suite of 2D axisymmetric simulations produced by FORNAX, a highly parallelizable multidimensional supernova simulation code. We explore the effects of various corrections, including the many-body correction, to neutrino-matter opacities and the possible role of rotation in promoting explosion amongst various core-collapse progenitors.

Design and analysis of a personnel blast shield for different explosives applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lozano, Eduardo

The use of explosives brings countless benefits to our everyday lives in areas such as mining, oil and gas exploration, demolition, and avalanche control. However, because of the potential destructive power of explosives, strict safety procedures must be an integral part of any explosives operation. The goal of this work is to provide a solution to protect against the hazards that accompany the general use of explosives, specifically in avalanche control. For this reason, a blast shield was designed and tested to protect the Colorado Department of Transportation personnel against these unpredictable effects. This document will develop a complete analysis to answer the following questions: what are the potential hazards from the detonation of high explosives, what are their effects, and how can we protect ourselves against them. To answer these questions theoretical, analytical, and numerical calculations were performed. Finally, a full blast shield prototype was tested under different simulated operational environments proving its effectiveness as safety device. The Colorado Department of Transportation currently owns more than fifteen shields that are used during every operation involving explosive materials.

Littoral hydrovolcanic explosions: A case study of lava-seawater interaction at Kilauea Volcano

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mattox, T.N.; Mangan, M.T.

1997-01-01

A variety of hydrovolcanic explosions may occur as basaltic lava flows into the ocean. Observations and measurements were made during a two-year span of unusually explosive littoral activity as tube-fed pahoehoe from Kilauea Volcano inundated the southeast coastline of the island of Hawai'i. Our observations suggest that explosive interactions require high entrance fluxes (??? 4 m3/s) and are most often initiated by collapse of a developing lava delta. Two types of interactions were observed. "Open mixing" of lava and seawater occurred when delta collapse exposed the mouth of a severed lava tube or incandescent fault scarp to wave action. The ensuing explosions produced unconsolidated deposits of glassy lava fragments or lithic debris. Interactions under "confined mixing" conditions occurred when a lava tube situated at or below sea level fractured. Explosions ruptured the roof of the tube and produced circular mounds of welded spatter. We estimate a water/rock mass ratio of 0.15 for the most common type of littoral explosion and a kinetic energy release of 0.07-1.3 kJ/kg for the range of events witnessed.

Sensitivities of ionic explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Politzer, Peter; Lane, Pat; Murray, Jane S.

2017-03-01

We have investigated the relevance for ionic explosive sensitivity of three factors that have been demonstrated to be related to the sensitivities of molecular explosives. These are (1) the maximum available heat of detonation, (2) the amount of free space per molecule (or per formula unit) in the crystal lattice and (3) specific features of the electrostatic potential on the molecular or ionic surface. We find that for ionic explosives, just as for molecular ones, there is an overall tendency for impact sensitivity to increase as the maximum detonation heat release is greater. This means that the usual emphasis upon designing explosives with large heats of detonation needs to be tempered somewhat. We also show that a moderate detonation heat release does not preclude a high level of detonation performance for ionic explosives, as was already demonstrated for molecular ones. Relating the free space per formula unit to sensitivity may require a modified procedure for ionic explosives; this will continue to be investigated. Finally, an encouraging start has been made in linking impact sensitivities to the electrostatic potentials on ionic surfaces, although limited so far to ammonium salts.

Experimental Study of Structure/Behavior Relationship for a Metallized Explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bukovsky, Eric; Reeves, Robert; Gash, Alexander; Glumac, Nick

2017-06-01

Metal powders are commonly added to explosive formulations to modify the blast behavior. Although detonation velocity is typically reduced compared to the neat explosive, the metal provides other benefits. Aluminum is a common additive to increase the overall energy output and high-density metals can be useful for enhancing momentum transfer to a target. Typically, metal powder is homogeneously distributed throughout the material; in this study, controlled distributions of metal powder in explosive formulations were investigated. The powder structures were printed using powder bed printing and the porous structures were filled with explosives to create bulk explosive composites. In all cases, the overall ratio between metal and explosive was maintained, but the powder distribution was varied. Samples utilizing uniform distributions to represent typical materials, discrete pockets of metal powder, and controlled, graded powder distributions were created. Detonation experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of metal powder design on the output pressure/time and the overall impulse. This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Analysis of the Effect of Prevailing Weather Conditions on the Occurrence of Grain Dust Explosions.

PubMed

Sanghi, Achint; Ambrose, R P Kingsly

2016-07-27

Grain dust explosions have been occurring in the U.S. for the past twenty years. In the past ten years, there have been an average of ten explosions a year, resulting in nine fatalities and 93 injuries. In more than half of these cases, the ignition source remains unidentified. The effect of ambient humidity on the likelihood of a dust explosion has been discussed for many years. However, no investigation into a possible link between the two has been carried out. In this study, we analyzed local weather data and grain dust explosions during the period 2006 to 2014 to measure potential relationships between the two events. The 84 analyzed explosions do not show any trend with regard to prevailing temperatures, or relative or absolute humidity. In addition, the ignition source could not be identified in 54 of the incidents. The majority of grain dust explosion incidents occurred at grain elevator facilities, where the dust generation potential was high compared with grain processing industries. Copyright© by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Skidmore, Cary Bradford; Preston, Daniel N.

These are a set of slides for educational outreach to children on high explosives science. It gives an introduction to the elements involved in this science: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Combined, these form the molecule HMX. Many pictures are also included to illustrate explosions.

Initiation of Insensitive High Explosives Using Multiple Wave Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francois, Elizabeth

Insensitive High Explosives (IHEs) increase safety in many types of weapons. However, the safety comes at the cost of performance. Initiation of IHE requires large boosters and powerful detonators as well. Multipoint initiation is being utilized to exploit explosive wave interactions to create overdriven states, greatly facilitating the initiation of IHEs. This presentation will focus on recent explosive experiments where the minimum spot size for single-point initiation in PBX 9502 was determined. Below this threshold, PBX 9502 could not be initiated. This was then expanded to three initiation points, which were smaller this threshold. Measurements of the velocity and pressure of the wave interactions were measured using Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). Initiation was observed, and the resulting pressures at the double and triple points were found to be above the CJ state for PBX 9502. Further testing will be performed using cutback experiments to isolate the overdriven state, and quantify the duration of the phenomenon.

Spectral signatures for RDX-based explosives in the 3 micron region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osborn, Tabetha; Kaimal, Sindhu; Reeve, Scott W.; Burns, William

2008-04-01

Explosive compounds such as RDX, and HMX present significant challenges to optically based sensors. This difficulty is due in part to the low vapor pressures these compounds possess. One approach for sensing explosives that circumvents the low explosive vapor pressure problem, involves focusing on the trace amounts of relatively high vapor pressure impurities that will be present in the vapor signature. In order to effectively detect these volatile impurities, the spectral signature databases must be readily available. One of our goals therefore, is the generation of a database of high resolution spectral signatures for these volatile organic impurities. Some rather formidable spectroscopic measurement challenges have been encountered while working to extend the spectral signature effort to the 3 micron region. Here we will outline progress to date, with a focus on the volatile organic compounds formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, nitromethane, acetone, isobutene, and cyclohexanone.

The Young Massive Stellar Cluster Sandage-96 after the Explosion of SN 2004DJ in NGC 2403

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vinko, J.; Sarneczky, K.; Balog, Z.; Immler, S.; Sugerman, B.; Brown, P. J.; Misselt, K.; Szabo, Gy. M.; Klagyivik, P.; Kun, M.;

High-pressure crystal structures of an insensitive energetic crystal: 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene

DOE PAGES

Dreger, Zbigniew A.; Stash, Adam I.; Yu, Zhi -Gang; ...

2015-12-03

Understanding the insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals requires detailed structural information at high pressures and high temperatures of interest. Synchrotron single crystal x-ray diffraction experiments were used to determine the high-pressure structures of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7), a prototypical insensitive high explosive. The phase transition around 4.5 GPa was investigated and the structures were determined at 4.27 GPa (α’-phase) and 5.9 GPa (ε-phase). The α’-phase (monoclinic, P2 1/ n), structurally indistinguishable from the ambient α-phase, transforms to the new ε-phase (triclinic, P1). The most notable features of the ε-phase, compared to the α’-phase, are: formation of planar layers and flattening ofmore » molecules. Density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations complemented the experimental results. Furthermore, the results presented here are important for understanding the molecular and crystalline attributes governing the high-pressure insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals.« less

High-pressure crystal structures of an insensitive energetic crystal: 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dreger, Zbigniew A.; Stash, Adam I.; Yu, Zhi -Gang

Understanding the insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals requires detailed structural information at high pressures and high temperatures of interest. Synchrotron single crystal x-ray diffraction experiments were used to determine the high-pressure structures of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7), a prototypical insensitive high explosive. The phase transition around 4.5 GPa was investigated and the structures were determined at 4.27 GPa (α’-phase) and 5.9 GPa (ε-phase). The α’-phase (monoclinic, P2 1/ n), structurally indistinguishable from the ambient α-phase, transforms to the new ε-phase (triclinic, P1). The most notable features of the ε-phase, compared to the α’-phase, are: formation of planar layers and flattening ofmore » molecules. Density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations complemented the experimental results. Furthermore, the results presented here are important for understanding the molecular and crystalline attributes governing the high-pressure insensitivity/stability of insensitive high explosive crystals.« less

Vibrational spectroscopy standoff detection of threat chemicals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz-Rivera, William; Pacheco-Londoño, Leonardo C.; Castro-Suarez, John R.; Felix-Rivera, Hilsamar; Hernandez-Rivera, Samuel P.

2011-06-01

Spectroscopy based standoff detection systems: Raman and FTIR have been tested for detection of threat chemicals, including highly energetic materials, homemade explosives, explosives formulations and high explosives mixtures. Other threat chemicals studied included toxic industrial compounds (TIC) and chemical agent simulants. Microorganisms and biological threat agent simulants have also been detected at standoff distances. Open Path FTIR has been used to detect vapors and chemicals deposited on metal surfaces at μg/cm2 levels at distances as far as 30 m in active mode and 60 m in passive mode. In the case of Raman telescope, standoff distances for acetonitrile and ammonium nitrate were 140 m.

Mesoscopic simulations of shock-to-detonation transition in reactive liquid high explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maillet, J. B.; Bourasseau, E.; Desbiens, N.; Vallverdu, G.; Stoltz, G.

2011-12-01

An extension of the model described in a previous work (see Maillet J. B. et al., EPL, 78 (2007) 68001) based on Dissipative Particle Dynamics is presented and applied to a liquid high explosive (HE), with thermodynamic properties mimicking those of liquid nitromethane. Large scale nonequilibrium simulations of reacting liquid HE with model kinetic under sustained shock conditions allow a better understanding of the shock-to-detonation transition in homogeneous explosives. Moreover, the propagation of the reactive wave appears discontinuous since ignition points in the shocked material can be activated by the compressive waves emitted from the onset of chemical reactions.

Comparison of Explosives Residues from the Blow-in-Place Detonation of 155-mm High-Explosive Projectiles

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

were M107 high-explosive deep-cavity 155-mm howitzer projectiles with a supplemental charge and an M739 point- detonating fuze mounted in the nose...M107, HE, w/o fuze IOP03E100-011 14 1390010809447 N340 Fuze, point-detonating, M739 MA-84B007-013 14 1375014151232 ML47 Cap, blasting, non-electric 30... M739 N340 0 21 0 ə Cap, blasting, M11 ML47 ə 27 ə ə Cap, blasting, M13 MN03 0 ə 0 ə Cap, blasting, M14 MN06 0 0 0 ə Cord, detonating M456 0

The ins and outs of terrorist bus explosions: injury profiles of on-board explosions versus explosions occurring adjacent to a bus.

PubMed

Golan, Ron; Soffer, Dror; Givon, Adi; Peleg, Kobi

2014-01-01

Terrorist explosions occurring in varying settings have been shown to lead to significantly different injury patterns among the victims, with more severe injuries generally arising in confined space attacks. Increasing numbers of terrorist attacks have been targeted at civilian buses, yet most studies focus on events in which the bomb was detonated within the bus. This study focuses on the injury patterns and hospital utilisation among casualties from explosive terrorist bus attacks with the bomb detonated either within a bus or adjacent to a bus. All patients hospitalised at six level I trauma centres and four large regional trauma centres following terrorist explosions that occurred in and adjacent to buses in Israel between November 2000 and August 2004 were reviewed. Injury severity scores (ISS) were used to assess severity. Hospital utilisation data included length of hospital stay, surgical procedures performed, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The study included 262 victims of 22 terrorist attacks targeted at civilian bus passengers and drivers; 171 victims were injured by an explosion within a bus (IB), and 91 were injured by an explosion adjacent to a bus (AB). Significant differences were noted between the groups, with the IB population having higher ISS scores, more primary blast injury, more urgent surgical procedures performed, and greater ICU utilisation. Both groups had percentages of nearly 20% for burn injury, had high percentages of injuries to the head/neck, and high percentages of surgical wound and burn care. Explosive terrorist attacks detonated within a bus generate more severe injuries among the casualties and require more urgent surgical and intensive level care than attacks occurring adjacent to a bus. The comparison and description of the outcomes to these terrorist attacks should aid in the preparation and response to such devastating events. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.