Attenuation Effects of Thermal Radiation on Internal Blast Overpressure

摘要

The determination of overpressure yield from internal blast has been the subject of prior investigations. Models have been developed to predict explosion thermodynamic parameters, based on equations of state, mass and energy conservation, and rate laws, utilizing high speed digital computers. Typically, thermodynamic equilibrium was assumed, an equilibrium temperature was determined, ideal gas law behavior was ascribed to product gases, and a pressure was computed. Reports of the results of these studies have typically contained a disclaimer that radiation effects have been ignored. In this investigation, a blackbody radiator model was developed and, utilizing the parameters reported in the literature for a number of explosives of common interest, a determination was made of the effect of thermal radiation as an attenuation mechanism on explosive energy and the existence of thermodynamic equilibrium. Energy losses of less than .5% were calculated and thermodynamic equilibrium was demonstrated through statistical considerations. (Author)