Optimization of an explosive mixture cooling process including a phase change

In the scope of improvement of the industrial “ammunition cooling” process, a COMSOL Multiphysics® model is developed to transfer an existing cooling process. A shell body is filled with a liquid explosive mixture. When all the shells have been filled the “cooling phase” takes place using specific equipment. This explosive mixture undergoes a phase change during the cooling and the solidification enthalpy is introduced to the model thanks to the “modified heat capacity” method. The specific equipment allows for cooling shells from its bottom to its top and therefore to ensure a continuous and unique solidification front. While the air surrounding the top of the device is heated, the bottom of the device is either soaked in water or cooled via a high velocity air flow. Thanks to the modelling approach, the industrial transfer had been optimized, by minimising set parameters for cooling phase. A user-interface is developed to allow the users of the model to easily vary the cooling conditions and the shell body geometry. COMSOL Server™ enables a remote computing to the users, thanks to an https secured internet connexion.