Nitrogen Cylinder Explosion

Explosion of a 22 foot long nitrogen cylinder due to external corrosion. For an even 5 foot length, the cylinder was uniformly corroded to 1/16th of an inch wall thickness from the standard 5/8". Pressure was approximately 2200 psi when the explosion occurred. Rapid crack propogation caused brittle fracture of for the full length of the cylinder. Stored energy release by the explosion was equivalent to 8 pounds of TNT.












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