RECENT PROGRESS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF STEAM EXPLOSIONS

If a hot liquid contacts a cold volatile liquid, a violent explosion m ay result. Such explosions are physical in character and involve a com plex sequence of events. Initially, the liquids mix on a coarse scale and the system is relatively quiescent. However, if a suitable trigger ing event occurs, a violent shock-driven propagation can follow, which results in the generation of very high pressures and damage to surrou nding structures. In this paper, we present a brief description of the various industries affected by such explosions and describe the under lying sequence of events which leads to these explosions. We then summ arize the recent progress which has been made in this area and describ e a new initiatve which we believe will benefit all those with an inte rest in this phenomenon.