Re:The tragic physics of the deadly explosion in Beirut
by throwaway0a5e on Tuesday August 11, 2020 @09:06AM
(#24119875)
> I think there is much greater chance of this if there is some sort of solvent (gas, diesel, etc) mixed in with it.
The fuel is what burns turning into combustion byproducts. Larger volume -> high pressure -> physics magic I don't feel like explaining -> shock wave. Burning pure AN is a waste, you're basically burning super lean. Add fuel and you get closer to stoic. More efficient reaction -> more output volume per input volume -> more bang.
It's like the difference between making a bunch of gas fuel (like propane or something) go up as a woosh vs a bang but with solid inputs instead of gasses.
The fuel is what burns turning into combustion byproducts. Larger volume -> high pressure -> physics magic I don't feel like explaining -> shock wave. Burning pure AN is a waste, you're basically burning super lean. Add fuel and you get closer to stoic. More efficient reaction -> more output volume per input volume -> more bang.
It's like the difference between making a bunch of gas fuel (like propane or something) go up as a woosh vs a bang but with solid inputs instead of gasses.