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Theory for deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in granular explosives

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7110496

In this report, we develop a two-phase mixture theory to describe the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in porous granular explosives. The theory is based on the continuum theory of mixtures and is able to account for both the compressibility of each phase and the compaction of the granular bed. By requiring the model to satisfy the Second Law of Thermodynamics, specific expressions for the exchange of mass, momentum and energy are proposed which are consistent with previously published empirical models. The model is then applied to the problem of DDT in a pressed column of HMX. Numerical results, using the method of lines, are obtained for a representative case of a 5 cm long bed and a grain size of 200 ..mu..m. The results are found to predict the transition to detonation in run distances commensurate with experimental observations. Additional calculations have been carried out to demonstrate the effect of particle size, porosity, gas product equation of state, drag correlation, compaction viscosity and burn rate on the run distance to detonation.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
7110496
Report Number(s):
SAND-82-0293; ON: DE87000205
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English