Explosion damage effects of aviation kerosene storage tank under strong ignition

Abstract

In order to study the blast damage effects of aviation kerosene storage tanks, the out-field explosion experiments of 8 m³ fixed-roof tanks were carried out. The fragments, shock wave and fireball thermal radiation of the tank in the presence of bottom oil, half oil and full oil, as well as empty tank, were investigated under internal explosion by various TNT charge contents (1.8 kg, 3.5 kg and 6.2 kg). The results showed that the tank roof was the only fragment produced, and the damage forms could be divided into three types. The increase of TNT charge content and oil volume enlarged the deformation of the tank, while the hole ratio presented a trend of increase first and then decrease. The H_{r, max} and V_max values positively increased as increasing the TNT charge content and oil volume (from empty to half oil), but decreased in full oil. The P_max values had a progressive increase with the increment of TNT charge content, but not the case with the increase in oil volumes. The development of fireball was divided into three stages: tank roof ‘towed’ flame, jet flow flame tumbling and rising, and jet flow flame extinguishing. The D_max and H_{f, max} values both increased as increasing TNT charge content and oil volumes. The oscillation phenomenon of fireball temperature was observed in the cooling process. The average temperature of fireball surface was positively correlated with TNT charge content, and negatively correlated with oil volumes.