Deflagration to detonation transition: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Type of explosion}}

'''Deflagration to detonation transition''' (DDT) refers to a phenomenon in [[Combustion|ignitable]] mixtures of a [[flammable]] gas and [[air]] (or [[oxygen]]) when a sudden transition takes place from a [[deflagration]] type of [[combustion]] to a [[detonation]] type of combustion. The effects of a detonation are usually devastating.

{{more citations needed|date=February 2017}}

'''Deflagration to detonation transition''' ('''DDT''') refers to a phenomenon in [[Combustion|ignitable]] mixtures of a [[flammable]] gas and [[air]] (or [[oxygen]]) when a sudden transition takes place from a [[deflagration]] type of [[combustion]] to a [[detonation]] type of explosion.

==Description==

A [[deflagration]] is characterized by a [[Speed of sound|subsonic]] flame [[propagation velocity]], typically far below 100 [[m/s]], and relatively modest [[overpressure]]s, say below 0.5 [[Bar (unit)|bar]]. The main mechanism of combustion propagation is of a flame front that moves forward through the gas mixture - in technical terms the reaction zone (chemical combustion) progresses through the medium by processes of diffusion of heat and mass. In its most benign form, a deflagration may simply be a [[flash fire]]. In contrast, a [[detonation]] is characterized by [[supersonic]] flame propagation velocities, perhaps up to 2000 m/s, and substantial overpressures, up to 20 bars. The main mechanism of combustion propagation is of a powerful [[pressure]] wave that compresses the unburnt gas ahead of the wave to a [[temperature]] above the [[autoignition]] temperature. In technical terms, the reaction zone (chemical combustion) is a self-driven [[shock wave]] where the reaction zone and the shock are coincident, and the chemical reaction is initiated by the compressive heating caused by the shock wave.

A [[deflagration]] is characterized by a [[Speed of sound|subsonic]] flame [[propagation velocity]], typically far below {{convert|100|m/s|mph}}, and relatively modest [[overpressure]]s, typically below {{convert|50|kPa|psi}}. The main mechanism of combustion propagation is of a flame front that moves forward through the gas mixture - in technical terms the reaction zone (chemical combustion) progresses through the medium by processes of [[diffusion]] of [[mass transfer|heat and mass]]. In its most benign form, a deflagration may simply be a [[flash fire]].

In contrast, a [[detonation]] is characterized by [[supersonic]] flame propagation velocities, perhaps up to {{convert|2000|m/s|mph}}, and substantial overpressures, up to {{convert|2|MPa|psi}}. The main mechanism of detonation propagation is of a powerful [[pressure]] wave that compresses the unburnt gas ahead of the wave to a [[temperature]] above the [[autoignition]] temperature. In technical terms, the reaction zone (chemical combustion) is a self-driven [[shock wave]] where the reaction zone and the shock are coincident, and the chemical reaction is initiated by the [[Compression heating ignition|compressive heating]] caused by the shock wave. The process is similar to ignition in a [[Diesel engine]], but much more sudden and violent.

Under certain conditions, mainly in terms of geometrical conditions such as partial confinement and many obstacles in the flame path that cause turbulent flame [[eddy current]]s, a subsonic flame may accelerate to supersonic speed, transitioning from deflagration to detonation. The exact mechanism is not fully understood,<ref name=GexCon>{{cite web |title=Gas explosion handbook |url= http://www.gexcon.com/index.php?src=handbook/GEXHBchap6.htm|date= |work= |publisher= Gexcon AS, Norway |accessdate=}}</ref>

and while existing theories are able to explain and model both deflagrations and detonations, there is no theory at present which can predict the transition phenomenon.

Under certain conditions, mainly in terms of geometrical conditions (such as partial confinement and many obstacles in the flame path that cause turbulent flame eddy currents), a subsonic flame front may accelerate to supersonic speed, transitioning from deflagration to detonation. The exact mechanism is not fully understood,<ref name=GexCon>{{cite web|title=Chapter 6: Detonation |url= http://www.gexcon.com/index.php?src=handbook/GEXHBchap6.htm |website=Gexcon AS |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004174240/http://www.gexcon.com/handbook/GEXHBchap6.htm}}</ref>

A deflagration to detonation transition has been a feature of several major [[industrial accident]]s

and while existing theories are able to explain and model both deflagrations and detonations, there is no theory {{as of|2023|alt=at present}} which can predict the transition phenomenon.

* [[1970 Propane vapour cloud explosion in Port Hudson]]

* The [[Flixborough disaster]]

* The 1989 [[Phillips Disaster]] in Pasadena, Texas

* The damage observed in the Buncefield fire, see the [[2005 Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire]]

==Examples==

The phenomenon is exploited in [[pulse detonation engine]]s because a detonation produces a more efficient combustion of the reactants than a deflagration does, i.e. giving a higher yields. Such engines typically employ a [[Shchelkin spiral]] in the [[combustion chamber]] to facilitate the deflagration to detonation transition.<ref>

A deflagration to detonation transition has been a feature of several major [[industrial accident]]s:

{{cite conference

* [[1970 propane vapor cloud explosion in Port Hudson]]

| first = TH

* [[Flixborough disaster]]

| last = New

* [[Phillips disaster of 1989]] in Pasadena, Texas

| authorlink =

* Damage observed in the [[Buncefield fire]]

| coauthors = PK Panicker, FK Lu, H M Tsai

* [[2020 Beirut explosions]]

| date =

| year = 2006

| month =

| title = Experimental Investigations on DDT Enhancements by Schelkin Spirals in a PDE

| conference = 44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 9–12 January 2006, Reno, Nevad

| url = http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/CDReadyMASM06_778/PV2006_552.pdf

| format =

| accessdate =

| doi =

| id =

| oclc =

}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference

| first = E

| last = Schultz

| authorlink =

| coauthors = E Wintenberger, J Shepherd

| date =

| year = 1999

| month =

| title = Investigation of Deflagration to Detonation Transition for Application to Pulse Detonation Engine Ignition Systems

| conference = Proceedings of the 16th JANNAF Propulsion Symposium

| url = http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/EDL/publications/reprints/jannaf99_paper.pdf

| format =

| accessdate =

| doi =

| id =

| oclc =

}}</ref>

==Applications==

The mechanism has found military use in the [[thermobaric weapon]].

The phenomenon is exploited in [[pulse detonation engine]]s, because a detonation produces a more efficient combustion of the reactants than a deflagration does, i.e. giving a higher yields. Such engines typically employ a [[Shchelkin spiral]] in the [[combustion chamber]] to facilitate the deflagration to detonation transition.<ref>{{cite conference | first = TH | last = New |author2=PK Panicker |author3=FK Lu |author4=H M Tsai | year = 2006| title = Experimental Investigations on DDT Enhancements by Schelkin Spirals in a PDE | conference = 44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 9–12 January 2006, Reno, Nevada | url = http://arc.uta.edu/publications/cp_files/aiaa-2006-7958.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | first = E | last = Schultz |author2=E Wintenberger |author3=J Shepherd | year = 1999 | title = Investigation of Deflagration to Detonation Transition for Application to Pulse Detonation Engine Ignition Systems | conference = Proceedings of the 16th JANNAF Propulsion Symposium | url = http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/EDL/publications/reprints/jannaf99_paper.pdf }}</ref>

The mechanism has also found military use in [[thermobaric weapon]]s.

A deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) has also been proposed for thermonuclear reactions responsible for [[supernovae]] initiation;<ref>{{cite conference

| first = Vadim N.

==Related phenomena==

| last = Gamezo

An analogous deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) has also been proposed for thermonuclear reactions responsible for [[supernovae]] initiation.<ref>{{cite conference | first = Vadim N. | last = Gamezo |author2=Oran ES | year = 2008 | title = Mechanisms for Detonation Initiation in Type Ia Supernovae | conference = American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #211, #162.08 | bibcode = 2008AAS...21116208G }}</ref> This process has been called a "[[carbon detonation]]".

| authorlink =

| coauthors = Oran ES

| date =

| year = 2008

| month =

| title = Mechanisms for Detonation Initiation in Type Ia Supernovae

| conference = American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #211, #162.08

| url = http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008AAS...21116208G

| format =

| accessdate =

| doi =

| id =

| oclc =

}}</ref> see also [[Carbon detonation]].

Apart from the name, this phenomenon is completely unrelated to the chemical combustion and flame acceleration phenomenon.

==See also==

*[[Zeldovich spontaneous wave]]

*[[Dust explosion]]

*[[Pressure piling]]

*[[Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion]] (BLEVE)

*[[BLEVE]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

<references/>

* {{cite book

| last = Lea

| first = CJ

| authorlink author2=HS Ledin

| coauthors = HS Ledin

| title = A Review of the State-of-the-Art in Gas Explosion Modelling, HSL/2002/02

| publisher = UK Health and Safety Laboratories

| date =

| year = 2002

| ___location =

| pages =

| url = http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2002/hsl02-02.pdf

}}

| doi =

| id =

| isbn = }}

[[Category:Combustion]]

[[Category:Industrial fires and explosions]]

[[Category:Explosives engineering]]

[[ja:DDT (火薬学)]]