Combustion of SHS Particle Clouds

Rapid and complete combustion of SHS compositions in the form of fine particle clouds is essential in achieving maximum energy and blast for advanced fuel/air explosions FAE and other applications. A multi path program is proposed to: (a) identify the most effective SHS compositions, (b) conduct basic laboratory measurements relevant to combustion enhancement and dust/air explosion, (c) disperse particles in a cloud form, (d) achieve complete combustion and (e)conduct meaningful measurements of explosion blast pressure in an instrumented apparatus. For efficient combustion various combinations and modification of the SHS candidate fuels are proposed which include combustion temperature enhance- ment by SHS preheating, chemical enhancement by forcing formation of products which are more volatile, and by additives which can break up the particles by internal vaporization.