Thermal Hazard Assessment of Oxidizer Solutions and Emulsion Explosives Utilizing Accelerating Rate and Dewar Calorimetry

摘要

When attempting to quantify the hazards associated with the manufacture and use of emulsion explosives, a key parameter is the temperature at which the emulsion begins to self-heat through exothermic decomposition, the "onset" temperature. In practice, emulsion explosives are manufactured, transported and used in quantities of the order of 20 tonnes. By comparison, convenient laboratory quantities are less than 1 kg. As a consequence any laboratory studies must be designed so as to minimize heat loss to the environment. Two laboratory-scale methods that can be used to minimize heat losses i.e. provide an adiabatic environment are Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC) and Dewar Calorimetry. In this study, (ARC) and adiabatic Dewar experiments were carried out on oxidizer solutions, and a bulk explosive matrix in both closed and open configurations. The effect of water levels on the oxidizer solutions was investigated. A comparison of the results from the two techniques is provided.