TNT Equivalency of Black Powder. Volume I. Management Summary and Technical Discussion
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to experimentally determine the maximum output from Black Powder explosive reactions in terms of airblast overpressure and impulse. The measured pressure and impulse values are compared with those produced by a hemispherical surface burst of TNT in order to determine the TNT equivalency of Black Powder. Black Powder charges ranging in weight from 8 lbs to 150 lbs were evaluated under different levels of confinement. The TNT equivalencies for the final product were found to range between zero to 43 percent for impulse and zero to 24 percent for pressure, depending upon the level of confinement, the weight of explosive and booster, and the distance from the explosion. A limited number of tests were carried out on 27 lb charges of the jet milled product, an in-process form of Black Powder. Its TNT equivalency ranged from zero to 22 percent for impulse and zero to 11 percent for pressure. It is recommended that a maximum impulse equivalency value of 24 percent be used for the process building and glaze house design since tests carried out under conditions existing in these buildings indicate that these values are applicable. However the value of 43 percent impulse equivalency should be applied to the pack house and loading dock. The application of this TNT equivalency data to the design of the improved Black Powder process manufacturing plant, would result in the reduction in the cost of construction of the new facility. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- ADA044443
Entities
People
- Hyla S. Napadensky
- James J. Swatosh Jr.
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute