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Consequence of Accidental Ignition Experiment
Part 6
KNO3-NaNO3-sorbitol
Summary: the task is to melt 1 kg of KNO3-NaNO3-sorbitol 35-30-35 propellant, heat it to 180-190° C without stirring until complete dissolution of nitrates and ignite it in hot liquid state from the top surface.
Starting materials:
KNO3:and NaNO3 reagent grade "pure for analysis". Moisture content 0.1-0.2%. They were milled together with coffee mill, crystals measured 50 microns to 300 microns.
Sorbitol: pharmaceutical grade. Moisture content 0.2-0.3%.
Preparation
Experiment setup was the same as in the first test.
Two metal rods 1m height were placed at 1m distance from each other for the scale purposes.
1 kg batch of thoroughly mixed powdered KNO3-NaNO3-sorbitol propellant mixture was placed in aluminum pan. Small propane burner was used as heat source.
Melting process and ignition, frames from video
0 min
10 min
15 min
20 min
25 min
30 min
35 min
37 min
38 min - ignition of propellant drops from the propan burner.
Propellant temperature - unknown.
Ambient temperature +5° C.
Burn time ~0.4 s.
Fireball height is about 3-4 m.
Fireball width is about 2 m.
Consequences
27.11.2011 Serge77