Publication Notices

Notifications of New Publications Released by ERDC

Contact Us

      

  

    866.362.3732

   601.634.2355

 

ERDC Library Catalog

Not finding what you are looking for? Search the ERDC Library Catalog

Results:
Tag: explosives
Clear
  • Dissolution of NTO, DNAN, and Insensitive Munitions Formulations and Their Fates in Soils: SERDP ER-2220

    Abstract: The US military is interested in replacing TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and RDX (1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) with DNAN (2,4-dinitroanisole) and NTO (3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one), which have similar explosive characteristics but are less likely to detonate unintentionally. Although these replacements are good explosives, basic information about their fate and transport was needed to evaluate their environmental impact and life-cycle management. This project measured their dissolution, photodegradation, and how aqueous solutions interact with soils, data critical to determining exposure potential and, consequently, risk.
  • Determination of Residual Low-Order Detonation Particle Characteristics from Composition B Mortar Rounds

    Empirical measurements of the spatial distribution, particle-size distribution, mass, morphology, and energetic composition of particles from low-order (LO) detonations are critical to accurately characterizing environ-mental impacts on military training ranges. This study demonstrated a method of generating and characterizing LO-detonation particles, previously applied to insensitive munitions, to 81 mm mortar rounds containing the conventional explosive formulation Composition B. The three sampled rounds had estimated detonation efficiencies ranging from 64% to 82% as measured by sampled residual energetic material. For all sampled rounds, energetic deposition rates were highest closer to the point of detonation; however, the mass per radial meter varied. The majority of particles (>60%), by mass, were <2 mm in size. However, the spatial distribution of the <2 mm particles from the point of detonation varied between the three sampled rounds. In addition to the particle-size-distribution results, several method performance observations were made, including command-detonation configurations, sampling quality control, particle-shape influence on laser-diffraction particle-size analysis (LD-PSA), and energetic purity trends. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful characterization of Composition B LO-detonation particles from command detonation through combined analysis by LD-PSA and sieving.
  • Toward the Electrochemical Detection of 2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN)

    Abstract: Analytical methods to rapidly detect explosive compounds with high precision are paramount for applications ranging from national security to environmental remediation. This report demonstrates two proof-of-concept electroanalytical methods for the quantification of 2,4-dinitroanisol (DNAN) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). For the first time, DNAN reduction was analyzed and compared at a bare graphitic carbon electrode, a polyaniline-modified (PANI) electrode, and a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrode utilizing PANI to explore the effect of surface-area and preconcentration affinity on the analytical response. Since some explosive compounds such as PETN are not appreciably soluble in water (<10 μg/L), necessitating a different solvent system to permit direct detection via electrochemical reduction. A 1,2-dichloroethane system was explored as a possibility by generating a liquid-liquid extraction-based sensor exploiting the immiscibility of 1,2-dichloroethane and water. The reduction process was explored using a scan rate analysis to extract a diffusion coefficient of 6.67 x 10⁻⁶ cm/s, in agreement with literature values for similarly structured nitrate esters. Once further refined, these techniques may be extended to other explosives and combined with portable electrochemical hardware to bring real-time chemical information to soldiers and citizens alike.
  • Determination of Residual Low-Order Detonation Particle Characteristics from IMX-104 Mortar Rounds

    ABSTRACT: The environmental fate and transport of energetic compounds on military training ranges are largely controlled by the particle characteristics of low-order detonations. This study demonstrated a method of command detonation, field sampling, laboratory processing, and analysis techniques for characterizing low-order detonation particles from 60 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds containing the insensitive munition formulation IMX-104. Particles deposited from three rounds of each caliber were comprehensively sampled and characterized for particle size, energetic purity, and morphology. The 60 mm rounds were command-detonated low order consistently (seven low-order detonations of seven tested rounds), with consumption efficiencies of 62%–80% (n = 3). The 81 mm rounds detonated low order inconsistently (three low-order detonations of ten tested rounds), possibly because the rounds were sourced from manufacturing test runs. These rounds had lower consumption efficiencies of 39%–64% (n = 3). Particle-size distributions showed significant variability between munition calibers, between rounds of the same caliber, and with distance from the detonation point. The study reviewed command-detonation configurations, particle transfer losses during sampling and particle-size analysis, and variations in the energetic purity of recovered particles. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful characterization of IMX-104 low-order detonation particles from command detonation to analysis.
  • Multi-objective source scaling experiment

    Abstract: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) performed an experiment at a site near Vicksburg, MS, during May 2014. Explosive charges were detonated, and the shock and acoustic waves were detected with pressure and infrasound sensors stationed at various distances from the source, i.e., from 3 m to 14.5 km. One objective of the experiment was to investigate the evolution of the shock wave produced by the explosion to the acoustic wavefront detected several kilometers from the detonation site. Another objective was to compare the effectiveness of different wind filter strategies. Toward this end, several sensors were deployed near each other, approximately 8 km from the site of the explosion. These sensors used different types of wind filters, including the different lengths of porous hoses, a bag of rocks, a foam pillow, and no filter. In addition, seismic and acoustic waves produced by the explosions were recorded with seismometers located at various distances from the source. The suitability of these sensors for measuring low-frequency acoustic waves was investigated.