Numerical simulation of the TNT solidification process

Abstract

The solidification phenomenon is present in the casting process of energetic materials. In defence industry, trinitrotoluene (TNT) is used as main charge for high explosive ammunitions. The present study tackles the numerical simulation of the solidification process of TNT by means of a two-dimensional transient model in cylindrical coordinates. The heat conduction problem is solved by using the enthalpy method that rewrites the governing equation in terms of this variable. The transient diffusive equation is then numerically solved by applying finite volumes in an explicit scheme. The analysis the mold thickness and the convective boundary conditions are analysed to assess how they affect heat transfer during solidification. Results obtained allow for a better comprehension of this type of problem.