Explosions chemical explosion

Chapter 12 presents the chemistry of explosives. Chemical explosives and propellants are well-covered in this book because of their importance for peaceful uses. They are considered chemical compounds in pure form or mixtures that rapidly produce a large volume of hot gases when properly ignited. The destructive effects of explosives are much more spectacular than their peaceful uses. However, it appears that more explosives have been used by industries for peaceful purposes than in all the wars. 

Chapter 3 Explosives Dehnition of Explosion Categories of Explosions Phases of Explosions Mechanical Overpressure Explosions Mechanical/Chemical Explosions Chemical Explosions Dust Explosions Nuclear Explosions Components of an Explosion Types of Explosives... 

Plutonium has assumed the position of dominant importance among the trasuranium elements because of its successful use as an explosive ingredient in nuclear weapons and the place which it holds as a key material in the development of industrial use of nuclear power. One kilogram is equivalent to about 22 million kilowatt hours of heat energy. The complete detonation of a kilogram of plutonium produces an explosion equal to about 20,000 tons of chemical explosive. 

B. M. Dobraty2, EENE Explosives Handbook, Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants, UCRL 52997, LLNL, University of California, Livermore, Mar. 1981. 

Storage Facilities The Fhxborough disaster (Lees, 1980) occurred on June I, 1974, and involved a large, unconfined vapor cloud explosion (or explosions—there may have been two) and Fire that killed 28 people and injured 36 at the plant and many more in the surrounding area. The entire chemical plant was demolished and 1821 houses and 167 shops were damaged. 

There is still a substantial safety margin up to the ultimate tensile strength, which amounts to 60 to 90 percent, depending on the steel (Kirby, Siwek, Treventing Failures of Equipment Subject to Explosions, Chemical Engineering, Jtine 23, 1986). 

CET89, Chemical equilibrium thermodynamics code for evaluating shock parameters in explosive, chemically-reactive systems, NASA 1989. 

Explosive Chemical causing a sudden, almost instantaneous release of... 

Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardons Chemicals Explosives and Blasting Agents Einal Rnle, Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 36, Eeh-rnary 24, 1992. 

Table 7.12 General considerations for work with explosive chemicals...

The main uses of toluene are as a solvent in paints, rubber, and plastic cements and as a feedstock in the manufacture of organic chemicals, explosives, detergents, and polyurethane foams. Xylenes (which exist as three isomers) are used in the manufacture of DMT, alkyd resins, and plasticizers. Naphthalene is mainly used in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, insect repellents, and phthalic anhydride (used in the manufacture of alkyd resins, plasticizers, and polyester). 

Qccupational Safety and Health Administration (QSHA) (1992). 29 CFR Part 1910. Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Explosives and Blasting Agents Final Rule. Federal Register 57, 36 (February 24), 6356-417. 

Overpressure, overtemperature, hydrogen explosion, steam explosion, and core melt through are mechanisms that may fail the containment of nuclear and chemical reactors,... 

Chemical Explosion at Kyshtym - Southern Urals, USSR... 

Chemical explosives detonate, or deflagrate. Detonating explosives (e.g., TNT or dynamite) rapidly decompose to produce high pressure and a shock front (travels faster than the velocity of sound). Deflagrating explosives (e.g., black and smokeless powders) bum fast, prodr er... 

Explosion is burning that takes place sonically, hence, a shock front is produced. The damage mechanisms are physical destruction from the shock wave, collateral damage from falling structures, and human bums. Suffocation and poisoning are not usually associated with an explosion because of its short duration. A chemical explosives such as nitroglycerine, trinitrotoluene, dynamite, and others were discussed in Section 7.2.6. 

Chemical explosions are uniform or propagating explosions. An explosion in a vessel tends to be a uniform explosion, while an explosion in a long pipe is a propagating explosion. Explosions are deflagrations or detonations. In a deflagration, the burn is relatively slow, for hydrocarbon air mixtures the deflagration velocity is of the order of 1 m/s. In contrast, a detonation flame shock front is followed closely by a combustion wave that releases energy to sustain the shock wave. A... 

Many operators find it hard to grasp the power of compressed air. Section 2.2 (a) describes how the end was blown off a pressure vessel, killing two men, because the vent was choked. Compressed air was being blown into the vessel, to prove that the inlet line was clear. It was estimated that the gauge pressure reached 20 psi (1.3 bar) when the burst occurred. The operators found it hard to believe that a pressure of only twenty pounds could do so much damage. Explosion experts had to be brought in to convince them that a chemical explosion had not occurred. 

Chemical Explosion at Hanford, Safely Alert No. 97-1, U.S. Dept, of Energy, Washington, D.C., 1997. 

It is important to understand how the over-pressure can develop (source) and what might be the eventual results. The mere sohdng of a formula to obtain an orifice area is secondary to an analysis and understanding of the pressure system. Excess pressure can develop from explosion, chemical reaction, reciprocating pumps or compressors, external fire around equipment, and an endless list of related and unrelated situations. In addition to the... 

---