Published July 1, 2014 | Version 9998871
Journal article Open

Computational Modeling of Combustion Wave in Nanoscale Thermite Reaction

Creators

Description

Nanoscale thermites such as the composite mixture of
nano-sized aluminum and molybdenum trioxide powders possess
several technical advantages such as much higher reaction rate and
shorter ignition delay, when compared to the conventional energetic
formulations made of micron-sized metal and oxidizer particles. In this
study, the self-propagation of combustion wave in compacted pellets
of nanoscale thermite composites is modeled and computationally
investigated by utilizing the activation energy reduction of aluminum
particles due to nanoscale particle sizes. The present computational
model predicts the speed of combustion wave propagation which is
good agreement with the corresponding experiments of thermite
reaction. Also, several characteristics of thermite reaction in nanoscale
composites are discussed including the ignition delay and combustion
wave structures.

Files

9998871.pdf

Files (628.2 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:447bcb9a03bdda2b905c995eea5bc1e5
628.2 kB Preview Download

Additional details

References

  • A. W. Miziolek, "Nanoenergetics: an emerging technology area of national importance," AMPTIAC Newsletter, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 43-48, 2002.
  • M. Kearns, "Development and applications of ultrafine aluminum powders," Mater. Sci. Eng., A, vol. 375-377, pp. 120-126, 2004.
  • S. Valliappan, J. Swiatkiewicz, and J.A. Puszynski, "Reactivity of aluminum nanopowders with metal oxides," Powder Technol., vol. 156, no. 2-3, pp. 164-169, 2005.
  • R. W. Armstrong, B. Baschung, D. W. Booth, and M. Samirant, "Enhanced propellant combustion with nanoparticles," Nano Lett., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 253-255, 2003.
  • P. P. Ostrowski and M. M. Bichay, "Al/MoO3 MIC primer evaluation tests, Part II – delay cartridges," AIAA Paper 2000-3647, 2000.
  • D. L. Naud, M. A. Hiskey, S. F. Son, J. R. Busse, and K. Kosanke, "Feasibility study on the use of nanoscale thermites for lead-free electric matches," J. of Pyrotechnics, vol. 17, pp. 1-11, 2003.
  • B. S. Bockmon, M. L. Pantoya, S. F. Son, B. W. Asay, and J. T. Mang, "Combustion velocities and propagation mechanisms of metastable interstitial composites," J. Appl. Phys., vol. 98, no. 6, pp. 064903-064903, 2005.
  • G. M. Dutro, R. A. Yetter, G. A. Risha, and S. F. Son, "The effect of stoichiometry on the combustion behavior of a nanoscale Al/MoO3 thermite. P. Comb. Inst., vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 1921-1928, 2009.
  • D. E. Wilson and K. Kim, "A simplified model for the combustion of Al/MoO3 nanocomposite thermites," AIAA Paper 4536, 2003. [10] J. J. Granier and M. L. Pantoya, "Laser ignition of nanocomposite thermites," Combust. Flame, vol. 134, no. 4, pp. 373-383, 2004. [11] K. Kim and H. S. Kwak, "Combustion wave propagation and ignition of consolidated pellets of nanoscale Al/MoO3 composite mixture," Proc. International Conference on Nano Science and Nano Technology, Gwangju, Korea, 2008. [12] C. E. Aumann, G. L. Skofronick, and J. A. Martin, "Oxidation behavior of aluminum nanopowders," J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, vol. 13, no. 3, 1178-1183, 1995. [13] D. W. Hahn and M. N. Özişik, Heat Conduction. 3rd ed., Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.