THE VAPOR EXPLOSION-HEAT TRANSFER AND FRAGMENTATION V. INVESTIGATION OF THE VAPOR EXPLOSION PHENOMENON USING A MOLTEN-METAL JET INJECTED INTO DISTILLED WATER

摘要

In this investigation, a 1/16-inch dia. molten metal jet was injected into a tank of subcooled (=750F) distilled water. Four low melting-point metals were used;mercury, Asarcolo-158 (a low-relating-point fusible alloy), 50-50 lead-tin alloy, and tin. High-speed photography was used to study the jet-coolant interactionnThis investigation shows that previously proposed theories for the causative mechanisms for explosive interaction are not adequate for a jet system. The experimental conditions were controlled so that hydrodynamic instability effects were minimized. Neither solidification of molten metal nor vapor production is necessary for fragmentation to occur. The duration of an explosive incident is so short that there is insufficient time for the violence of transition-nucleate boiling to develop.