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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R94831/01
Title: Theoretical and experimental studies of combustion and transition to detonation of granular propellants
Principal Investigator: Field, Professor J
Other Investigators:
Nikiforakis, Professor N Goldrein, Dr HT
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr WG Proud
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 2002 Ends: 31 May 2005 Value (£): 278,444
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Combustion Safety & Reliability of Plant
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Chemicals
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
An aim of this proposal is to bring together two complimentary research groups that work in the area of energetic materials. The combined skills of the individuals is diverse and multidisciplined; crucially necessary in the challenge to understand and model the complex behaviour of these combustible materials. Experiments performed at the Cavendish on conventional and ultrafine particles have shown the importance of grain size and packing dens on DDT in propellant/explosive systems. This is significant since these parameters have been identified as controlling factors during events that can lead to a dangerous hazard. Theoretical approaches lack the quantitative capability for predicting potential hazards even in standard DDT events. It is intended that a combined experimental and theoretical research program will serve to answer questions specifically associated with combustion and multi-phase flow with special emphasis on building models in parallel with small-scale and carefully tailored experiments. The proposal explains the steps needed to develop a predictive model and the four 'core' experiments for which new data are needed. The end result should be a predictive capability and a better understanding of hazard. There will be a close liason with MoD ([dstlj and QinetiQ) who would combine to make this a joint EPSRCIMoD objective.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk