Df. Fletcher et Tg. Theofanous, RECENT PROGRESS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF STEAM EXPLOSIONS, Journal of loss prevention in the process industries, 7(6), 1994, pp. 457-462
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.