Fuel-Air Explosive Technologies from Dual-Use Materials

ABSTRACT: In our Phase I SBIR work to date, we constructed an implosion system using carefully-designed components and geometries that reproducibly reacts nearly 100% of the JP10 in the test cell. Using ALE3D we have also been able to qualitatively describe the major hydrodynamic processes involved in the collapse and subsequent expansion of the assembly. In Phase II we propose a continuation and expansion of these early efforts that will result in a similar amount of reaction, but which will occur on a much shorter time scale (hundreds of s), and potentially result in a detonation. We will begin to examine other effects, such as the use of reactive cases and the external flow associated with missile trajectory. We will also begin to remedy the problem of not having a complete equation of state for the JP10 along with other computational issues. BENEFIT: The results of the experimental and theoretical programs from Phase I have clearly demonstrated the feasibility of the technical goals of this SBIR. We have shown near quantitative conversion of the JP10 in times less than 30 ms and our calculations have shown the influence of different design parameters and how they can be changed in order to increase the rate of reaction through improved mixing and heating. In Phase II we intend to use the data and modeling generated in Phase I to dramatically improve the time scale of reaction by improving the mixing and directionality of the dispersing fuel cloud, and also study the effects of the flow along the missile body. The ultimate goal is to convert all the fuel remaining in the tank to products of combustion either through a detonative event or high rate oxidation. We will also investigate the effects of various catalysts to further enhance reactivity.