Deflagration, Detonation

joesixpack

Illuminator
J
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Feb 26, 2005
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What's the difference between the two? I know one is slower (deflagration), and the other rapid (detonation), but where is the dividing line? One definition I've heard is that detonation means the speed of the flame-front is supersonic, but others say that this isn't so. Does deflagration ignite the fuel through conduction and convection, and detonation ignites the fuel via the shockwave? Is there a definate distinction, or is it like pornography ( "I know it when I see it!")?
 
deflagration

n : combustion that propagates through a gas or along the surface of an explosive at a rapid rate driven by the transfer of heat

That would seem to confirm the first part.

detonation

n 1: a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction [syn: explosion, blowup] 2: the act of detonating an explosive

That doesn't seem to rule out a deflagration being a detonation, but I also thought that an explosion propogated via the shockwave.

O.
PS I'm no expert.
 
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