Application of FAE Technology to the Design of Nuclear Airblast Simulation Experiments.
Abstract
The detonation of fuel aerosols and vapors in air is investigated with respect to the applicability of this type of explosion to generating an airblast simulation a 1-KT nuclear airburst explosion. Extensive investigations into existing overpressure and overpressure-impulse data from weaponized FAE's and carefully controlled hemispherical balloon detonations has allowed a comparison of the fuel-air explosives with both condensed explosives (TNT and nitromethane) and a predicted 1-KT nuclear surface burst. It was found that, depending upon cloud geometry, the total fuel required for a 1-KT nuclear airblast simulation varied between 63 and 200 tons. The concentration of fuel in air must be close to stoichiometric and the mean droplet diameter must be 2500 microns or less. Investigation into existing nozzles indicate that it is questionable whether commercially available nozzles can project a vapor to the requisite height for the 1-KT simulation. Various fuel candidates were investigated. The prop-hydrocarbon compounds are attractive with higher order hydrocarbons being worth consideration. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA047385
Entities
People
- F. Sauer
- T. Stubbs