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U.S. Department of Energy
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Vapor explosions: a critical review

Book ·
OSTI ID:5667722

Four stages of the vapor explosion phenomenon are distinguished: premixing, triggering, escalation and propagation. Fauske proposed that spontaneous nucleation upon contract of the hot and cold liquids was a necessary condition for the first three stages, while Board, Hall and Hall have proposed a thermal detonation theory based upon purely hydrodynamic fragmentation behind the shock front for the fourth stage. The evidence concerning both concepts is discussed, and some tentative conclusions drawn. Some data relevant to the triggering and escalation steps, together with some brief comments concerning cyclic propagation models, are presented.

OSTI ID:
5667722
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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