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Quantitative Assessment Method of Muzzle Smoke in a Field Environment
Chenguang Yan1, Chen-Guang Zhu1, Mingxing Zhang1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, P. R. China.
ACS Omega
|March 6, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a new metric, characteristic quantity of muzzle smoke (CQMS), for battlefield pollution assessment. CQMS provides a reliable method for quantitatively evaluating muzzle smoke in field environments.
Area of Science:
- Ballistics and Weapon Systems
- Environmental Science and Pollution Control
- Propellant Chemistry and Engineering
Background:
- Muzzle smoke from barrel weapons is a significant battlefield pollutant.
- Existing methods for muzzle smoke assessment are often limited to laboratory settings (smoke boxes), lacking field applicability.
- Quantitative assessment of muzzle smoke is crucial for developing advanced propellants and understanding battlefield environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define a novel metric, the characteristic quantity of muzzle smoke (CQMS), for quantitative assessment of muzzle smoke in field environments.
- To establish a theoretical basis for CQMS using the Beer-Lambert law, optimizing measurement conditions to minimize error.
- To experimentally validate the effectiveness of CQMS in a realistic field setting.
Main Methods:
- Defined the characteristic quantity of muzzle smoke (CQMS) based on the Beer-Lambert law, considering field environmental conditions.
- Theoretically determined optimal measurement conditions (transmittance of e⁻²) to minimize the impact of measurement errors on CQMS.
- Conducted seven live firing tests of a 30 mm gun in a field environment to collect data for CQMS validation.
Main Results:
- Successfully defined and applied the characteristic quantity of muzzle smoke (CQMS) metric.
- Experimental results from field firings demonstrated the feasibility of using CQMS for quantitative assessment.
- Measurement uncertainty analysis yielded a CQMS value of 2.35 ± 0.06 m² for the tested propellant charge.
Conclusions:
- The characteristic quantity of muzzle smoke (CQMS) is an effective metric for the quantitative assessment of muzzle smoke in field environments.
- CQMS provides valuable data for the development of advanced propellants and the management of battlefield pollution.
- The established methodology offers a reliable approach for future field-based muzzle smoke research.
