Enclosure Fires of Single and Multi-Block propellant Charges | Chapter 11 | New Insights into Physical Science Vol. 12

 Ammonium perchlorate (AP) - hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) - aluminium (Al) solid propellant charges, in the form of one or more shaped blocks, are burned in an enclosure that simulates an ammunition storage room aboard a warship. The amount of charge used varies between 2 and 23 kilogrammes. The enclosure's fire activity and thermal response are assessed in terms of gas pressure and temperature, as well as wall heat flux and temperature. First, visible and infrared images are used to infer the burn characteristics of three different formed blocks. The rate of regression of the burning block's surface is found to be virtually independent of the burning block's geometry and atmospheric conditions; it is 1.3 0.1 mm/s, which is consistent with literature data for an AP/HTPB/Al-type propellant. The effects of enclosure confinement, wall insulation, and water spray on fire outcomes are also studied. A volumetric model developed by DGA TN is validated using some experimental results. Disagreements and agreements are discussed. Second, experimental data from single and multi-block propellant loads are compared to show what could happen if charge fragmentation occurs. It is discovered that the combined effects of increased exposed propellant surface area and block interaction result in a substantial increase in burning intensity, which leads to more serious fire consequences.

Author (s) Details

M. Mense
Direction Générale de l’Armement, Techniques Navales, BP 40195, 83050 Toulon Cedex, France.

Y. Pizzo
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IUSTI UMR 7343, 5 rue E. Fermi, Technopôle de Château-Gombert, 13453 Marseille Cedex 13, France and RS2N, 371 chemin de Gaumin, 83640 St Zacharie, France and INNODEV, 38 rue Frédéric Joliot Curie, 13013 Marseille, France.

C. Lallemand
Direction Générale de l’Armement, Techniques Navales, BP 40195, 83050 Toulon Cedex, France.

N. Sardoy
Direction Générale de l’Armement, Techniques Navales, BP 40195, 83050 Toulon Cedex, France.

T. Porterie
INNODEV, 38 rue Frédéric Joliot Curie, 13013 Marseille, France.

P. Pouschat
INNODEV, 38 rue Frédéric Joliot Curie, 13013 Marseille, France.

B. Porterie
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IUSTI UMR 7343, 5 rue E. Fermi, Technopôle de Château-Gombert, 13453 Marseille Cedex 13, France and RS2N, 371 chemin de Gaumin, 83640 St Zacharie, France and INNODEV, 38 rue Frédéric Joliot Curie, 13013 Marseille, France.

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