Feasibility and design of blast mitigation systems for naval applications using water mist fire suppression systems

The recent trend of using fine water mist systems to replace the legacy HALON- 1301 fire suppression systems warrants further study into other applications of the water mist systems. Preliminary research and investigation indicates that fine mists (20-25 pm droplet size) may reduce peak overpressures of a shock wave traveling through a space. Such pressure reductions could be used to mitigate the destructive effects of a shock wave (initiated by an explosive device) traveling through a structure. Currently these blast mitigation effects have only been demonstrated in small-scale shock tube tests and computer simulations. Uncertainty exists as to the scalability of such a system. The intention of this research is to investigate the applicability of such a blast mitigation system for shipboard use. Study into the degree of mitigation necessary to make a system practical for shipboard installation was conducted. In addition, a theoretical study of the mechanisms of blast mitigation using water mists was completed. Preliminary design of a full-scale system was examined.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Ocean Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Kitchenka, Julie A

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David V. Burke.

• Ocean Engineering.
• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33441

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33441