Devices and Explosives

Energy release, explosive output, and critical diameter 

A bomb can be considered to contain four functional blocks, namely, a control system, a detonator, a booster, and a main charge. Although a simple ignition fuse can be used as a control system and timing device, the control system is usually more mechanical or electrical in nature. The detection of control systems may be visual, or by magnetometry, or by X-ray. It must be remembered that many of the items involved in the ignition system, that is, clockwork, batteries, or electronic circuitry, are commonplace in ordinary items, such as cameras, mobile telephones, and personal stereos, and are not unique indicators of the presence of a bomb. In fact, it is the presence of explosives that is the key indicator of a bomb. 

In this chapter, we will consider some fundamentals of explosive technology, the properties of some common explosives, including any detection-related aspects, their availability, performance, and any feature that might lead a terrorist to choose one over another. 

Aspects of Explosives Detection M. Marshall andJ.C. Oxley (Editors) 

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Butane, isobutane, and propane are asphyxiants and should be handled in a well-ventilated environment it is recommended that environmental oxygen levels are monitored and not permitted to fall below a concentration of 18% v/v. These vapors do not support life therefore when cleaning large tanks, adequate provisions for oxygen supply must be provided for personnel cleaning the tanks. Butane is highly flammable and explosive and must only be handled in an explosion-proof room that is equipped with adequate safety warning devices and explosion-proof equipment. 

Evaluate the near-term (1999-2005) application of advanced (nonincineration) technologies, such as from the Army s Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment Program and the Alternative Technologies and Approaches Project, in a semifixed, skid-mounted mode to process Rapid Response System, Munitions Management Device, and Explosive Destruction System liquid neutralization wastes. 

Most modem projectiles and virtually all missiles contain explosives. The plasmas that result from explosives are intrinsic to operation of warheads, bombs, mines, and related devices. Nuclear weapons and plasmas are intimately related. Plasmas are an inevitable result of the detonation of fission and fusion devices and are fundamental to the operation of fusion devices. Compressed pellets, in which a thermonuclear reaction occurs, would be useful militarily for simulation of the effects of nuclear weapons on materials and devices. 

Studies on the electronic structure of carbon nanotube (CNT) is of much importance toward its efficient utilisation in electronic devices. It is well known that the early prediction of its peculiar electronic structure [1-3] right after the lijima s observation of multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) [4] seems to have actually triggered the subsequent and explosive series of experimental researches of CNT. In that prediction, alternative appearance of metallic and semiconductive nature in CNT depending on the combination of diameter and pitch or, more specifically, chiral vector of CNT expressed by two kinds of non-negative integers (a, b) as described later (see Fig. 1). 

While RP14C provides guidance on the need for process safety devices, it is desirable to perform a complete hazards analysis of tlie facility to identify hazards that are not necessarily detected or contained by process sLifety devices and that could lead to loss of containment of hydrocarbons or otherwise lead to fire, explosion, pollution, or injury to personnel. The industry consensus standard, American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 14J, Design and Hazards Analysis for Offshore Facilities (RP14J), provides guidance as to the use of various hazards analysis techniques. 

These explosions in air are usually the result of the release of flammable gas and/or mists by leaks, rupture of equipment, or rupture of safety relierdng devices and release to the atmosphere, which become ignited by spark, static electricity, hot surfaces, and many other... 

Conf) S) W.H. Snyder C.R. Hoggatt, Performance of Testing Services on High Explosive Devices and the Reduction of Data , DRI-4350-7004-F (1970) (Conf)... 

EE) R. Vincent E.L. Clark, Shaped Charge Liner Studies Using Various Materials , DRD-444 (1973) (ConO FF) R.C. Dean B.E. Craddock, Hard Structure Munition-Phase IIC , GER-15945 (1973) (ConO GG) C.R. Hoggatt, E,S. Grubin W.H, Snyder, Performance of Testing Services on High Explosive Devices and the Reduction of Accumulated Data , DRI-4782-7309-F (1973) (ConO HH) D.R. 

Nuclear and non-nuclear munitions (to include mines, grenades, demolition devices, explosives, explosive devices and initiators) except chemical and smoke munitions assigned to Edgewood Arsenal... 

For quite a few years now, considerable amounts of time, effort, and money have been expended on improving older sabotage devices and accessory gear and in developing new and better items. As a result, a wide variety of manufactured explosive and incendiary items is available for use. 

A confined explosion occurs in a confined space, such as a vessel or a building. The two most common confined explosion scenarios involve explosive vapors and explosive dusts. Empirical studies have shown that the nature of the explosion is a function of several experimentally determined characteristics. These characteristics depend on the explosive material used and include flammability or explosive limits, the rate of pressure rise after the flammable mixture is ignited, and the maximum pressure after ignition. These characteristics are determined using two similar laboratory devices, shown in Figures 6-14 and 6-17. 

All electrical devices are inherent ignition sources. Special design features are required to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors and dusts. The fire and explosion hazard is directly proportional to the number and type of electrically powered devices in a process area. 

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