Short Communication

Abstract

Abstract The present work is devoted to the descr iption of a device which allows the detonation of gaseous explosive mixtures at initial pressures up to 80 bars. The detonation velocities are measured on two sections of a 55-mm i.d. and 4-m-long tube. The first results show that the detonation initiated with a Briska detonator becomes rap idly steady after a distance lower than 90 cm from the point of ignition. Experimental values of the detonation velocity are presented for a C2H4-air mixture. These data are compared to results of calculation using a thermochemical code based on a virial Equation of State. The discrepancy never exceeds 1 percent.