Thermal relaxation oscillations in liquid organic peroxides
Date
2011
Authors
Ball, Rowena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Begell House
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to investigate, characterize, and disseminate better understanding of oscillatory thermal instability in exothermically reactive liquids, with the objectives of improving industrial safety and helping to prevent the misuse of liquid explosives. The explosive thermal decomposition of organic peroxides in the liquid phase is investigated computationally, using a continuous stirred tank reactor model and literature values of the kinetic and thermal parameters. By carrying out mathematical stability analyses on solutions of the dynamical equations, it is found that these substances can undergo violent thermal runaway via an oscillatory instability, as well as via classical ignition. This behavior cannot be identified by using Semenov theory. The physical origins of thermochemical relaxation oscillations is investigated by applying a mathematical two-timing analysis to the model equations to isolate the two time scales involved. It is found that the average specific heat of the reacting mixture controls the slow time scale but not the fast time scale; therefore, attempts to stabilize organic peroxides by dilution in a solvent of higher specific heat may lengthen the slow time scale but will ultimately be unsuccessful. It is also shown mathematically that a high specific heat of the solid container will damp oscillatory behavior but can have no effect on classical ignition/extinction.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Average specific heat; Continuous stirred tank reactor model; Dynamical equation; Liquid organic peroxides; Liquid Phase; Model equations; Organic peroxide; Oscillatory behaviors; Oscillatory instability; Oscillatory thermal instability; Reacting mixture; Classical ignition; Organic peroxide explosions; Oscillatory thermal runaway; Relaxation oscillations; Stability; Thermal safety
Citation
Collections
Source
International Journal of Energetic Materials and Chemical Propulsion
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description