On Sat, 20 Jul 2002, Ian Woollard wrote:
> >All right, I'll take Henrys advice and make it crystal clear. HTP
> >mixed with some substances form very sensitive high explosives.
> >
> Combustion stability would be important I take it ;-)
Not in the normal sense of "combustion stability", which is not relevant,
but in the sense of "make sure it stays lit", yes. Fortunately, that's
generally not hard for a rocket engine.
> Still, even that description doesn't quite cover it; quite a few
> hydrocarbons
> and LOX form very sensitive explosive too, or even hydrogen and oxygen.
> Right?
Yes and no. When the oxidizer and fuel are at very different
temperatures, or are both liquids but are immiscible, it's quite difficult
for an explosive mixture to form in practice, however possible it might be
in theory. For example, contact between LOX and kerosene normally results
in the LOX boiling off and the kerosene freezing; any explosion hazard is
brief and fairly conspicuous.
The problem with peroxide plus light alcohols and such is that they can
mix, forming a dangerous explosive, without giving any obvious warning.
Henry Spencer
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
_______________________________________________
ERPS-list mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
