Can a Blast Wave in a Pipeline Outrun HMX Detonation Velocity?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothetical scenario of whether a blast wave in a 1000m pipeline can outrun the detonation velocity of HMX, which is 9100 m/s. Participants conclude that it is unlikely for the blast wave to exceed this velocity, even with variations in the pipeline's inner diameter (ID). The conversation also touches on the potential for high-speed combustion in gas mixtures, such as hydrogen/oxygen, but emphasizes that achieving detonation velocities comparable to HMX remains improbable without specific conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of HMX (High Melting Explosive) properties and detonation velocities
  • Knowledge of blast wave dynamics in confined spaces
  • Familiarity with combustion chemistry, particularly gas mixtures like hydrogen/oxygen
  • Basic principles of fluid dynamics in pipelines
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of varying inner diameters on blast wave propagation in pipelines
  • Study the combustion characteristics of hydrogen/oxygen mixtures under pressure
  • Explore the principles of detonation and deflagration in different explosive materials
  • Investigate the physics of shock waves in gases and their interaction with solid explosives
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, explosive engineers, and safety professionals involved in the study of detonation dynamics and blast wave behavior in confined environments.

Neon Cracklin
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I'm a little rusty on my physics, so here's the hypothetical: Put HMX prima cord in a long pipeline , say 1000m. If you detonate the prima cord and the pipe has a 3" ID, would the blast wave outrun the HMX detonation velocity of 9100 m/s. If you reduced the ID of the pipe, is there a certain point (ID) where the blast wave would move faster than the cord?
 
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Blast wave through... natural-gas/air, or hydrogen/oxygen, or some other mixture in the pipe?

I think it's unlikely that the conflagration within the pipe would ever propagate faster than the 9.1km/s high-explosive detonation. A highly pressurized H2O2 mixture might burn at rather impressive speeds. But you'd have a hard time getting anywhere near HE detonation velocities, regardless of the pipe size. (Unless you cheat and use a gas mixture under conditions that cause it to be ignited by the prima cord inside the pipe).

From Wikipedia:
Typical detonation velocities in gases range from 1800 m/s to 3000 m/s. Typical velocities in solid explosives often range beyond 4000 m/s to 10300 m/s
 

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