Blast and Fragments from Superpressure Vessel Rupture
Abstract
Seven spherical steel vessels, each with a volume of 1 cubic foot, were pressurized with argon until they burst. Airblast and fragment parameters, were measured to aid in evaluating the hazards from high pressure vessel rupture. The vessels were designed to burst at either 15,000, 30,000, or 50,000 psi. Computer codes were developed to generalize and extend the experimental data. For bursts where internal gas temperatures are between 300 and 400K, increasing the vessel's burst pressure beyond 15,000 psi does not increase airblast output. As temperatures inside the vessel are increased above 400K, higher pressure ruptures do increase airblast energy. As temperatures are increased further, the fill gas behaves ideally so that ideal gas assumptions can be used to set an upper limit to the energy output from high pressure vessel rupture. For a 15,000 psi rupture, ideal behavior is approached at temperatures above 1,300K. Each vessel separated at rupture into two hemispheres. These pieces were accelerated to velocities of about 300 ft/second; about half the calculated fragment velocities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA023288
Entities
People
- J. F. Pittman
Organizations
- Naval Ordnance Laboratory