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RESEARCH ON THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION AND HANDLING OF LIQUID HYDROGEN. Quarterly Progress Report for July 1-September 30, 1959

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4201195
The effects of liquid hydrogen (24 to 90 1) spillage on gravel and steel plate were studied relative to blast pressure upon ignition (1.1 to 15.8 sec) at i8 in. and 10 ft above spill area, radiation energy, flame cross section and volume, and overpressure. The overpressure was determined as functions of time (0 to 16 sec) and distance (20 to 200 ft) for the hydrogen--air mixtures ignition above pools of liquid hydrogen (15.4 to 90 1). The absorption of name radiations by fuel vapors through flame heights of 0 to 15 in. was determined for hydrogen, benzene, hexane, and methanol. The absorption of name radiations on the hydrogen surface was found to be unaffected by flame height. In trays of sufficient diameter, it is concluded that the liquid burning rate is inversely proportional to the fraction of the flame's heat that must be fed back to maintain evaporation. Although the burning rate plateau has not been located for hydrogen, the best estimate of the burning rate is 1.6 to 2.0 cm/min. Tests were performed to determine the initial burning stages of hydrogen: film boiling, nucleate boiling, and a quiet stage during which heat transfer is limited by the thermal diffusivity of the subsurface. Liquid nitrogen was spilled into dewar flasks, one containing close-fitting paraffin blocks and the other brass blocks. In the case of the brass, gas evolution never exceeded the nucleate boiling stage, the gas evolution rate being independent of time until the liquid had almost disappeared. On spilling into paraffin, the final evaporation stage was observed for 30 sec. (For preceding period see NP8324.) (C.J.G.)
Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines. Div. of Explosives Technology, Pittsburgh
NSA Number:
NSA-14-007645
OSTI ID:
4201195
Report Number(s):
NP-8325
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English