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Molten Aluminum-Water Explosion Initiation Mechanism Study.

PB80191794

Publication Date	1975
Personal Author	Nusbaum, M. S.
Page Count	310
Abstract	Mechanisms for initiation of molten aluminum and water explosions were evaluated using bleed out simulations, chemical assessment of initiation, and mechanical, thermodynamic, and other potential initiation mechanism studies. Spontaneous nucleation of liquid quench water contained in quench pit surface capillaries was identified as the most probable initiation mechanism. An impact generated shock from aluminum flow over the quench pit surface was the most probable and frequent triggering mechanism for collapsing the vapor film which separates the molten aluminum and liquid water. Vapor film thickness reduction correlated with the time that the aluminum flow impacts quench tank side surfaces. The author concludes that the aluminum industry's current safety practices, which emphasize the elimination of the surface cavities which trap the liquid water required for initiation of the explosion, are a step in the right direction.
Keywords	Industrial medicine Explosions Safety Aluminum Liquid metals Water Initiation Hazards Aluminum industry Reaction kinetics Vapors Occupational safety and health
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	94H - Industrial Safety Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine
Corporate Authors	IIT Research Inst., Chicago, IL. Engineering Mechanics Div.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	Prepared for Aluminum Association, New York.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	198019
Contract Number	PHS-HSM-95-73-27

Molten Aluminum-Water Explosion Initiation Mechanism Study.

Molten Aluminum-Water Explosion Initiation Mechanism Study.
PB80191794

Publication Date	1975
Personal Author	Nusbaum, M. S.
Page Count	310
Abstract	Mechanisms for initiation of molten aluminum and water explosions were evaluated using bleed out simulations, chemical assessment of initiation, and mechanical, thermodynamic, and other potential initiation mechanism studies. Spontaneous nucleation of liquid quench water contained in quench pit surface capillaries was identified as the most probable initiation mechanism. An impact generated shock from aluminum flow over the quench pit surface was the most probable and frequent triggering mechanism for collapsing the vapor film which separates the molten aluminum and liquid water. Vapor film thickness reduction correlated with the time that the aluminum flow impacts quench tank side surfaces. The author concludes that the aluminum industry's current safety practices, which emphasize the elimination of the surface cavities which trap the liquid water required for initiation of the explosion, are a step in the right direction.
Keywords	Industrial medicine Explosions Safety Aluminum Liquid metals Water Initiation Hazards Aluminum industry Reaction kinetics Vapors Occupational safety and health
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	94H - Industrial Safety Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine
Corporate Authors	IIT Research Inst., Chicago, IL. Engineering Mechanics Div.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	Prepared for Aluminum Association, New York.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	198019
Contract Number	PHS-HSM-95-73-27