High-Temperature Chemical Kinetics and Combustion of Chemical Agents in a Counter-WMD Environment
Abstract
Scientific data on the combustion chemistry of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) such as sarin are important for basic understanding and for designing appropriate and effective countermeasures. Proven techniques for the study of combustion chemistry are ideal for problems concerning the neutralization of WMD agents via countermeasures that utilize the burning or high-temperature decomposition of the target. Experiments, advanced diagnostics, and related chemical kinetics modeling form the basis of the proposed research, which will utilize up to three sarin surrogates, namely TMP, DMMP, and DIMP with and without the presence of countermeasure species HI, I2, and metal oxides (Al2O3 and TiO2). It is divided into five tasks: 1) agent selection and characterization; 2) shock-tube kinetics measurements; 3) laminar flame speed measurements; 4) optical diagnostics; and 5) chemical kinetics modeling. Full realization of the project objectives will require three years for the technique development and measurement of the burning behavior of the base agents in the presence of the countermeasures. An improved chemical kinetics mechanism will be a primary result of the effort, in addition to a better fundamental understanding of the agent chemistry at combustion conditions. Two option years will extend the measurements using an aerosol shock tube and a diagnostic to measure radicals O and H in the reaction zone. The methods developed and demonstrated under this project will provide the infrastructure for studying the combustion chemistry of many more agents and for testing the effectiveness of countermeasures beyond the scope of the present work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2016
- Source ID
- HDTRA11610031
Entities
People
- Eric L. Petersen
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station