SBIR-STTR Award

The attack scenario of interest to Eglin involves a conventional fragmenting munition that enters a fixed above-ground or hardened underground structure and explosively detonates. As a result of weapon detonation, liquid chemical or dry biological agent is released inside the structure, either as a spill or as an airborne dispersion. The subsequent mixing with air and with explosive products brings about chemical changes in the agent. The chemical changes can include combustion with air or pyrolytic decomposition. The potential harm to civilian populations near these facilities due to building damage is largely unknown due to the inability to model the results of various attack scenarios. Current predictive methodologies are semi-empirical and do not address liquid chemical/biological (CB) agents nor do they allow for the treatment of dry compounds. A useful analytical tool for safety engineers, structural engineers, and military planners would be a theoretical physics-based model to predict the CB agent release, venting, atmospheric entrainment, and agent decomposition brought about by the combustion of these agents (i.e., the fate of the agent). ENSCO proposes to evaluate the S-Cubed Multi-Chamber BLowdown Model (MBLM) and recommend model constructs to meet the needs of Eglin AFB.

Keywords:
cbw database cbw decomposition cbw release emergency planning emergency response physics-based mode

A scenario of interest involves an attack using a conventional fragmenting munition containing agent neutralizers that enters a ground-fixed structure and explodes. As a result of weapon detonation, liquid and/or dry chemical/biological agent is released inside the structure, either as a spill or as an airborne dispersion. The subsequent mixing with air, neutralizing compounds, and explosive products at elevated temperatures brings about chemical changes to the agent. These chemical transformations can include combustion with air, pyrolytic decomposition, and/or reactions with neutralizing compounds or other compounds present in the room. To assess collateral hazards, it is essential the MEVA possess the ability to quantify the ultimate venting of unreacted agent and its degradation products through openings produced by initial weapon entry or by the catastrophic failure of doors, walls or windows. The model developed under this Phase II project will provide the capability to simulate the internal transport and dispersion of agent within a facility under attack and predict the concentration of agent in the vented plume.

Keywords:
reaction kinetics internal flow code chemical agent model biological agent model emergency planning