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4039040 
Journal Article 
Products from the Detonation of Trinitrotoluene and Some Other Navy Explosives in Air and Nitrogen. I. Low Molecular Weight Gases 
Johnson, JH; Erickson, ED; Smith, SR; Knight, DJ; Fine, DA; Heller, CA 
1988 
Yes 
Journal of Hazardous Materials
ISSN: 0304-3894
EISSN: 1873-3336 
NIOSH/00180738 
18 
2 
145-160 
English 
The nature and quantities of gaseous products produced by underwater (oxygen deficient atmospheres) and surface level detonations of typical United States Navy high explosive agents were investigated. The detonation products were divided into two major groups: those with low molecular weight (gases and C1 to C3 hydrocarbons) and those with higher molecular weight. The development of the experimental methods used to collect and analyze the low molecular weight gases were described. Explosive compounds used for testing included trinitrotoluene (TNT), H-6, C4, cast PBXN-102, composition-B, and pentolite. When the detonations took place in air, secondary combustion reactions consumed all or most of the primary products that could undergo further oxidation. The post detonation concentration of carbon-monoxide (630080) decreased as the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere of the detonation chamber increased. The post detonation concentration of carbon-dioxide (124389) increased as the oxygen concentration in the detonation chamber increased. Detonations in oxygen deficient atmospheres resulted in the formation of large amounts of smoke. When the compounds were detonated in oxygen deficient atmospheres, traces of hydrogen (1333740), methane (74828), ethylene (74851), ethane (74840), and acetylene (74862), were found in the gas samples. Detonation in air did not result in the formation of these gases.