- Author
- Graham, M. L.
- Title
- Simulation of the Thermal Response of Externally Cooled Ordnance Engulfed in Large Aviation Fuel Fires. Final Report. January 1985-October 1986.
- Coporate
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque
- Sponsor
- Air Force Engineering and Services Center, Tyndall AFB, FL
- Report
- ESL-TR-87-43, September 1990, 83 p.
- Contract
- F29601-84-C-0080
- Keywords
- aircraft fuels | fuel fires | simulation | cooling | cook off | heat transfer | computer models | application rate | mathematical models | fire models | coolants
- Identifiers
- thermal response; subscale testing; ordnance
- Abstract
- To assess effects of the external cooling on the fire-exposed ordnance cookoff time, a validated heat transfer computer model was adopted and modified to include principles describing the external cooling effects. The new model predicts the change in ordnance cookoff time as a function of coolant application rate. Calculations demonstrate that the external cooling can delay the cookoff time. The thermal interaction between the incident flame and ordnance, as well as the effects of coolant on cookoff time, were simulated experimentally. Specially designed calorimeters were instrumented and placed in a pool fire to measure the transient heat flux and to quantify the effects of various coolants. Effects of intumescent coating used on various ordnance were evaluated experimentally and compared with the response of the thermally unprotected ordnance. The experimental data, although inconclusive, suggest that thermally unprotected ordnance can achieve longer cookoff times than coated ordnance, when external cooling is applied.