Explosion condensed phase

Condensed phase explosion An explosion that oeeurs when the fuel is present in the form of a liquid or solid. 

This volume does not address subjects such as toxic effects, explosions in buildings and vessels, runaway reactions, condensed-phase explosions, pool fires, jet flames, or structural responses of buildings. Furthermore, no attempt is made to cover the frequency or likelihood that a related accident scenario will occur. References to other works are provided for readers interested in these phenomena. 

Additional events of concern that may or may not involve flammable or combustible materials are condensed-phase explosions, uncontrolled chemical reactions, boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions (BLEVEs),... 

Some substances can release significant heat if they decompose. Under certain conditions, this decomposition can cause a condensed-phase explosion, which can cause a failure of the containment system, creating blast as well as fragment effects. Some condensed-phase materials decompose in a denotative manner and are capable of producing blast effects even when not initially confined. 

The open-top floating roof tank design eliminates the potential for BLEVE. Further, the material being handled has no potential for chemical reactions or for condensed-phase explosions. Thus, these types of explosions can also be eliminated from consideration. 

As discussed in Section 3.2.1, other explosion events can occur that impact process plant buildings, including condensed-phase explosions, uncontrolled chemical reactions, PV ruptures, and BLEVEs. Appendix A and Reference 5 describe the information needed and the methods available for calculating blast parameters from these events. 

Identify the inventories of flammable and combustible materials within the process plant and the physical conditions under which they are contained. Similarly, identify other materials or process conditions that can result in explosion events, including condensed-phase explosions, physical explosions, or uncontrolled chemical reactions. 

Condensed-phase Explosions/Other Uncontrolled Chemical Reactions. 

Process plants are categorized into different hazard classifications, according to the potential explosion energy available from vessel rupture, condensed-phase explosion, confined vapor (building) explosion, or VCE. 

Potential explosion phenomena include vapor cloud explosions (VCEs), confined explosions, condensed-phase explosions, exothermic chemical reactions, boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions (BLEVEs), and pressure-volume (PV) ruptures. Potential fire phenomena include flash fires, pool fires, jet fires, and fireballs. Guidelines for evaluating the characteristics of VCEs, BLEVEs, and flash fires are provided in another CCPS publication (Ref. 5). The basic principles from Reference 5 for evaluating characteristics of these phenomena are briefly summarized in this appendix. In addition, the basic principles for evaluating characteristics of the other explosion and fire phenomena listed above are briefly summarized, and references for detailed evaluation of characteristics are provided. 

Condensed phase explosion an explosion of a liquid or solid substance. 

Explosions in the petrochemical industry can be classified into four basic types Vapor Cloud Explosions, Pressure Vessel Explosions, Condensed Phase Explosions, and Dust Explosions. Baker 1983 and CCPS Explosion Guidelines also provide information for characterizing some of these types of explosions. 

If the seat of a condensed phase explosion and an associated crater can be located, this can be quite helpful. Measurement of crater dimensions can enable an approximate estimate of the amount of explosive involved, and also may focus questioning of witnesses or examination of video footage from security cameras. Crater size depends on the mass and nature of the explosive, the nature of the substrate, and the position of the explosive charge relative to the substrate surface. As a first approximation, the diameter of a crater in a uniform substrate varies as the cube root of the explosive mass for a charge on or above the surface. For charges buried just below the surface, the diameter of the crater is proportional to the mass of explosive raised to the power 7/24 this factor allows for the effect of backfilling of the crater by ejected material. Intuitively (and practically), the diameter of the crater in the surface also decreases with distance of the charge above or below the surface. 

Measurement of the Detonation-Front Structure in Condensed-Phase Explosives , Ibid, 863-67 11) W.E. Gordon, "Detonation Limits in Condensed Explosives , 4thONRSympDeton(1965), 179-97 12) M.C. Chick, "The Effect of... 

To these add the paper entitled "Determination of Shock Hugoniots for Several Condensed Phase Explosives , by V.M. Boyle et al, in 4thONRSympDeton(1965), pp 241-47... 

B.G. Craig, "Measurements of the Detonation-Front Structure in Condensed-Phase Explosions , lOthSympCombstn (1965), pp 863-67 6) W.C. Davis et al,... 

Note 1 Accdg to Dunkle (Ref 12) "The perceptiveness of the author (Apin) of this article (meaning Ref 6) over 20 years old is amazing. The idea that the detonation front is heterogeneous and of rough surface even in condensed-phase explosives is very much in favor now. Several papers and discussion at the 7thSympCombstn, August, 1966 in Berkeley, Calif bore on this point ... 

Definition of spike pressure and probability of its existence are briefly discussed in this Vol under Detonation (and Explosion) in Condensed-Phase Explosives". The so-called spike theory is discussed under "Detonation, Spike Theory in . A more detailed description is given by Cook (Ref 41, pp 69-87)... 

Dr Gustav Schweikert of Bad Godesberg, described in Explosivstoffe 3, 197-200 (1955) and 4, 10-14 (1956) a theory of detonation of condensed-phase explosives, which is based on the assumption that such.detonations follow essentially the same basic laws as the combustion of colloidal propellants, and can be comprehended thru the same molecular and reaction-kinetic theories... 

P. A. Davies, Accidental Initiation of Condensed Phase Explosives during Road and Rail Transport, J. Hazard. Mater., 38, 75-88 (1994). 

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