PHYSICS OF THERMOHYDRAULIC EXPLOSIONS

We propose a phenomenological model for explosive water-melt interacti ons. Thermohydraulic fracturing was experimentally identified to be th e main contributor to explosive energy release, We found experimental evidence that the model is applicable for a variety of melt compositio ns with very different thermal and rheological properties. The propose d mechanism does not require special premixing conditions. The pre-exp losive geometries yielding the most intensive explosions were found to be cm to dm sized water domains entrapped by excess melt. First appro ximations to the thermal to kinetic energy conversion ratio show that the identified process can explain the occurence and the damage potent ial observed in industrial accidents and volcanic eruptions.