Explosion of an explosive

The heat of explosion of an explosive material, an explosive mixture, gunpowder or propellant is the heat liberated during its explosive decomposition. Its magnitude depends on the thermo-dynamic state of the decomposition products the data used in practical calculations usually have water (which is a product of the explosion) in the form of vapor as the reference compound. 

A type of ignition protection where equipment parts which may ignite an explosible atmosphere are enclosed in a casing. This casing is designed to withstand the pressure caused by an explosion of an explosible mixture in its interior. 

In order to compare the energy release, for example of the depressurisation of a gas stored under pressure, the explosion of an explosive or the combustion of a flammable gas, a common reference must be found. 

For this purpose the knowledge on the effects of explosives forms a basis. Many of the available correlations refer to the effect of explosions of TNT (trinitrotoluene). The important difference between the explosion of an explosive and that of a flammable gas is its brisance. It is reflected by a particularly short pressure wave. This is true as well for TNT. Despite this difference the TNT equivalent is the most frequently used model for assessing explosion effects. Values between 4,190 and 4,650 kJ/kg are quoted for the equivalent (cf. [15]). In [2] a value of 4,681 kJ/kg is used. In what follows a value of 4,650 kJ/(kg TNT) is chosen. It serves to convert the energy released in an explosion into an equivalent quantity of TNT. 

Since we are dealing with the explosion of an explosive, curve no. 10 of Fig. 10.14 is used. 

The critical temperature for the thermal explosion of an explosive may be calculated from the Frank-Kamenetskii equation [32] ... 

The hazard of an explosion should in general be minimized by avoiding flammable gas-air mixtures in the process. Again, this can... 

CH2=CHC = CCH = CH2. a colourless liquid which turns yellow on exposure to the air it has a distinct garlic-like odour b.p. 83-5°C. Manufactured by the controlled, low-temperature polymerization of acetylene in the presence of an aqueous solution of copper(I) and ammonium chlorides. It is very dangerous to handle, as it absorbs oxygen from the air to give an explosive peroxide. When heated in an inert atmosphere, it polymerizes to form first a drying oil and finally a hard, brittle insoluble resin. Reacts with chlorine to give a mixture of chlorinated products used as drying oils and plastics. 

The ethereal extracts are then united, dried with a suitable drying agent and filtered. The filtrate is then cautiously distilled, the ether being first distilled and finally the organic compound if volatile if the compound is solid, the crude residue is purified by recrystallisation. Very great care must be taken on all occasions when ether is distilled because of the risk of fire or of an explosion full experimental details for this operation are given, both on p. 8o (Preparation of Ether) and on p. 164 (Pre-... 

Note. The massive construction of the bomb and its casing makes the risk of an explosion almost negligible. As an additional precaution... 

CAUTION. Ethers that have been stored for long periods, particularly in partly-filled bottles, frequently contain small quantities of highly explosive peroxides. The presence of peroxides may be detected either by the per-chromic acid test of qualitative inorganic analysis (addition of an acidified solution of potassium dichromate) or by the liberation of iodine from acidified potassium iodide solution (compare Section 11,47,7). The peroxides are nonvolatile and may accumulate in the flask during the distillation of the ether the residue is explosive and may detonate, when distilled, with sufficient violence to shatter the apparatus and cause serious personal injury. If peroxides are found, they must first be removed by treatment with acidified ferrous sulphate solution (Section 11,47,7) or with sodium sulphite solution or with stannous chloride solution (Section VI, 12). The common extraction solvents diethyl ether and di-tso-propyl ether are particularly prone to the formation of peroxides. 

Note 2. The allenic ether is extremely sensitive towards oxygen. All operations during the work-up must be carried out under nitrogen. After termination of the distillation nitrogen should be admitted to the distillation apparatus. Too strong heating during the distillation involves the risk of an explosion. 

The autoignition temperature is the minimum temperature required for self-sustained combustion in the absence of an external ignition source. The value depends on specified test conditions. Tht flammable (explosive) limits specify the range of concentration of the vapor in air (in percent by volume) for which a flame can propagate. Below the lower flammable limit, the gas mixture is too lean to burn above the flammable limit, the mixture is too rich. Additional compounds can be found in National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Handbook, 14th ed., 1991. 

Water-in-od emulsion explosives have been made as typified by a formulation containing 20% water, 12% oil, 2% microspheres, 1% emulsifier, and 65% ammonium nitrate. The micro droplets of an emulsion explosive offer the advantage of intimate contact between fuel and oxidizer, and tend to equal or outperform conventional water-based slurries. 

Tetrafluoroethylene undergoes addition reactions typical of an olefin. It bums in air to form carbon tetrafluoride, carbonyl fluoride, and carbon dioxide (24). Under controlled conditions, oxygenation produces an epoxide (25) or an explosive polymeric peroxide (24). Trifluorovinyl ethers,... 

Forensic scientists work with physical evidence, ie, "data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents or objects." Physical evidence is teal or tangible and can HteraHy include almost anything, eg, the transient scent of perfume on the clothing of an assault victim the metaboHte of a dmg detected in the urine of an individual in a driving-under-the-influence-of-dmgs case the scene of an explosion or bullets removed from a murder victim s body. 

Disadvantages associated with some organic solvents include toxicity flammabiHty and explosion ha2ards sensitivity to moisture uptake, possibly leading to subsequent undesirable reactions with solutes low electrical conductivity relatively high cost and limited solubiHty of many solutes. In addition, the electrolyte system can degrade under the influence of an electric field, yielding undesirable materials such as polymers, chars, and products that interfere with deposition of the metal or alloy. 

Nondestructive Testing. Nondestmctive inspection of an explosion-welded composite is almost totally restricted to ultrasonic and visual inspection. Radiographic inspection is appHcable only to special types of composites consisting of two metals having a significant mismatch in density and a large wave pattern in the bond interface (see Nondestructive evaluation). 

Chemical-Process Vessels. Explosion-bonded products are used in the manufacture of process equipment for the chemical, petrochemical, and petroleum industries where the corrosion resistance of an expensive metal is combined with the strength and economy of another metal. AppHcations include explosion cladding of titanium tubesheet to Monel, hot fabrication of an explosion clad to form an elbow for pipes in nuclear power plants, and explosion cladding titanium and steel for use in a vessel intended for terephthaHc acid manufacture. 

Pig. 10. Double-v inlay, batten-strap technique for fusion welding of an explosion-clad plate containing titanium and zirconium. 

Ma.rine. In the presence of an electrolyte, eg, seawater, aluminum and steel form a galvanic cell and corrosion takes place at the interface. Because the aluminum superstmcture is bolted to the steel bulkhead in a lap joint, crevice corrosion is masked and may remain uimoticed until replacement is required. By using transition-joint strips cut from explosion-welded clads, the corrosion problem can be eliminated. Because the transition is metaHurgicaHy bonded, there is no crevice in which the electrolyte can act and galvanic action caimot take place. Steel corrosion is confined to external surfaces where it can be detected easily and corrected by simple wire bmshing and painting. 

The danger of an explosion of a nitrated product generally increases as the degree of nitration increases, eg, trinitroaromatics are more hazardous as compared to dinitroaromatics or especially mononitroaromatics. Nitroaromatics and some polynitrated paraffins are highly toxic when inhaled or when contacted with the skin. AH nitrated compounds tend to be highly flammable. 

Esters of nitro alcohols with primary alcohol groups can be prepared from the nitro alcohol and an organic acid, but nitro alcohols with secondary alcohol groups can be esterified only through the use of an acid chloride or anhydride. The nitrate esters of the nitro alcohols are obtained easily by treatment with nitric acid (qv). The resulting products have explosive properties but are not used commercially. 

AH gas-fired power plants require oxygen analy2ers to ensure that air has not been drawn into the piping system. Oxygen intake can lead to the presence of an explosive mixture in the pipeline before the fuel reaches the burner or combustor 2one. When gas-fired units are located in an enclosed area, multiple ultraviolet flame detectors are used to shut down equipment and flood the area with CO2 or a chemical fire suppressant whenever a spark or flame is detected. 

C2S2, is a red Hquid (mp —0.5° C, bp 60—70°C at 1.6 kPa (12 mm Hg)) produced by the action of an electric arc on carbon disulfide (1 4). The stmcture has been shown to be S=C=C=C=S on the basis of its reactions to form malonic acid derivatives and on the basis of physical measurements. It is unstable and decomposes ia a few weeks at room temperature it decomposes explosively when heated rapidly at 100—120°C with formation of a black polymeric substance (C2S2) (5,6). Dilute solutions ia CS2 are fairly stable, but photochemical polymerisation to (C2S2) occurs. 

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