EXPLOSIVE DECOMPOSITION OF HEATED MASSECUITES.

Following the steaming of a blocked pan stage cut-over pipe at an Australian mill there was a disastrous pipe failure. This prompted an investigation of the behavior of heated A- and C-massecuites and refined sugar magma. In most experiments there was an exothermic reaction which was more severe in the impure massecuites and at the higher temperatures of the range 122 to 170 degree C. Graphs are given showing pressure and temperature rise under varying conditions. Analyses are also given of the gases taken from the cooled bomb. These contained mainly carbon dioxide but there was also evidence of hydrocarbons. The nature of the reactions taking place is discussed.