Multiphase reactive flow modeling applied to dispersed explosive systems in a detonation tube

A numerical model has been developed to predict reaction propagation within multiphase reactive systems, such as dispersed explosives. The model has been used to simulate detonation tube experimental results. The work reported here considered one type of particulate explosive, RDX {dollar}rm(Csb3Hsb6Nsb6Osb6){dollar} dispersed in air or nitrogen. A single reaction mechanism (Arrhenius kinetics) was investigated at this time, although the model is suitable for an investigation of a wide variety of physical mechanisms and reaction kinetics. The effects of particle concentration, particle size, equation of state, gas specific heat, gas conductivity and a number of other factors were investigated. The model gave reasonable predictions of IIT Research Institute detonation tube experimental results for the cases evaluated. This conclusion was based on a comparison of simulations with available experimental data and equilibrium thermochemical code predictions for the Chapman-Jouguet detonation characteristics.; Numerical issues that were addressed include numerical stability and numerical diffusion. Stability constraints due to the intense Arrhenius reaction were quantified to determine the practical limits on cell size and time increment. Numerical diffusion severity was assessed using computer experiments for a standard shock tube configuration.