Liquid--liquid contact in vapor explosions

A self-mixing theory for initiation and early propagation of vapor explosions is presented. Random contacts are postulated to cause local regions of high pressure at the contact interface, which result in annular jets tending to mix the fluids. The criterion for successful initiation depends upon the minimum Weber number for coalescence being exceeded over an area at least equal to the original contact area. Experimental free-fall droplet data are presented from which the minimum Weber number correlation is determined