Investigation of a Propellant Fire at Mulwala Explosives Factory, July 1984.
Abstract
The cause of a fire in the propellant cutting area of Mulwala Explosives Factory was investigated. Extensive measurements of electrostatic charge generation and dissipation showed that, at the time of the fire, the electrostatic charge on the cut propellant could have been in excess of sixty times that required to ignite the surrounding ether vapour. Subsequent investigations have shown that the use of metal labyrinths in the flow of cut propellant together with conducting collection buckets are successful in reducing the electrostatic energy to below the ignition level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA174823
Entities
People
- G. Bajinskis
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group