[AR] Re: Mythbusters panel at Comicon mentioned a "myth" I've heard in "r...
- From: Norman Yarvin <yarvin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2014 09:03:43 -0400
On Fri, Aug 01, 2014 at 01:18:54PM -0700, Ray Rocket wrote:
>On Fri, 8/1/14, Paul Mueller <paul.mueller.iii@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> In my cryogenics training years ago, I was told that LOX spilled
>> on asphalt would create a gel that was very impact
>> sensitive. I don't know if it's true or not.
>
>Sure, asphalt paving always has coated sand grains loose on the
>surface. Add LO2 in the right proportions and get instant
>monopropellant gel. I'm guessing sand particle friction initiates the
>reaction.
For a real gel, you'd need the LOX to diffuse into the tar. That's
the part I've always been dubious about; and reading the report, it
doesn't seem to happen, at least not beyond a microscopic scale, since
otherwise they'd have gotten bigger explosions.
--
Norman Yarvin http://yarchive.net/blog
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