Two-dimensional reactive Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a simple implicit Beam-Warming finite difference scheme. Comparisons of the detonation wave solutions of reactive Euler equations and reactive Navier-Stokes equations show that physical diffusion is important at high resolution when the numerical diffusion becomes negligible. Hence, for accurate detonation wave solutions it is ne...

A nuclear detonation in a US city would have profound psychological, social, and behavioral effects. This article reviews the scientific literature on human responses to radiation incidents and disasters in general, and examines potential behavioral health care provider (BHCP) contributions in the hours and days after a nuclear detonation. In the area directly affected by the blast, the immedia...

Time-dependent, two-dimensional, numerical simulations of a transmitted detonation show reignition occuring by one of two mechanisms. The first mechanism involves the collision of triple points as they expand along a decaying shock front. In the second mechanism ignition results from the coalescence of a number of small, relatively high pressure regions left over from the decay of weakened tran...

The dynamics of one-dimensional, overdriven, hydrogen-air detonations predicted in the inviscid limit as well as with the inclusion of mass, momentum, and energy diffusion were investigated. A series of shock-fitted calculations was performed in which the overdrive was varied in the inviscid limit. The 0.97 MHz frequency of oscillation predicted for a f = 1.1 overdriven detonation agrees well w...

Imploding toroidal detonation waves were used to initiate detonations in propane–air and ethylene–air mixtures inside of a tube. The imploding wave was generated by an initiator consisting of an array of channels filled with acetylene–oxygen gas and ignited with a single spark. The initiator was designed as a low-drag initiator tube for use with pulse detonation engines. To detonate hydrocarbon...

Mechanisms underlying detonation initiation in 1-D and 2-D configurations are explored computationally. The strong state-sensitivity of the underlying chemical kinetics causes the reaction zones to be exceedingly thin, and accuracy of solution demands that the computational scheme provide the necessary resolution with economy. This is achieved by a technique that employs overlapping grids and b...

In the event of a single, low-yield nuclear detonation in a major urban area, rapidly providing adequate shelter to affected populations could save 10 000– 100 000 individuals from a fatal exposure to fallout radiation. However, poorly sheltered individuals may remain at risk. Current guidance and prior studies are not consistent as to the timing and conditions under which poorly sheltered indi...

We consider a simplified model of an unconfined one-dimensional detonation problem, giving a brief survey of the history of the problem and of its numerical solution. This problem with its mathematical features is typical of those solved commercially by ICI plc, and the specific values used for the chemical constants in the example are typical of those of interest. Unfortunately, not all obviou...

The isomeric di-1,2,3,4-tetrazine tetraoxides DTTO and iso-DTTO have aroused considerable interest in recent years as potential energetic compounds, due to their predicted high densities and heats of formation and superior detonation properties. While neither has yet been synthesized, it has been suggested that the N→O linkages on alternate nitrogens will have a stabilizing effect. In the prese...