Measurement of the size, duration and thermal output of fireballs producedby a range of propellants

Quantification of the physical characteristics of fireballs produced by the ignition of civil and military types of propellants provides important inf ormation for assessing hazards in situations where propellants are handled. This paper presents information on the size, duration and thermal output o f fireballs produced on ignition of 1, 5 and 25 kg quantities of a range of propellants. The dependences of key parameters on charge mass are examined , and some general conclusions are drawn.