NATO SPS programme shortlisted project

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The project G4595 “Protection of Underground Structures from Fuel Cloud Explosion” has been shortlisted for the 2018 SPS Partnership Prize.

According Administration of SPS programme, the selection was based on the scientific and technological merits as well as the relevance of your project to NATO’s strategic objective partnership and its support to capacity building in particular in NATO partner nations.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller will present the 2018 SPS Partnership Prize during the SPS 60thAnniversary Gala Event, which will take place on the 29th of November 2018 at the NATO Headquarter.


During the ceremony, three of the shortlisted projects, will be awarded under the following categories:

1. SPS Partnership Prize for Innovation

2. SPS Partnership Prize

3. SPS Partnership Prize for Young Scientists


Reference Number

G4595

Project Name

Protection of Underground Structures from Fuel Cloud Explosion

Key Priority

Enhance Support for NATO-led Operations and Missions; Methods for the protection of critical infrastructure, supplies and personnel

NPD

Professor Theodor Krauthammer

PDD

Professor Nikoloz Chikhradze


A short description of the project

A system for the protection of underground facilities from fuel cloud explosions was developed, designed, and successfully tested. The concept of the protective system was developed based on a quantitative hazard analysis of fuel cloud invasion into underground facilities, and mitigating their explosion effects on the facilities. System design parameters were based on the study of shock wave propagation in tunnels, and the suppression of fire and blast effects by controlled water mist injection, based on thermodynamic principles, to mitigate the adverse outcomes.

The prototype of the system was manufactured and successfully tested in the underground facilities of the LEPL Grigol Tsulukidze Mining Institute, Tbilisi, Georgia, under real blast conditions. The results from several tests highlighted the system’s advantages, efficiency, quick response, and reliability. The Project funding was used for equipping the experimental base with state-of-the-art equipment. According to experts, it is one of the best facilities in Europe for studying blast effect.

The results from this project highlight an effective comprehensive approach to protect enclosed critical facilities (either above, or below ground) from either high explosive (HE), or fuel-air (FA) detonations. This protective concept is very flexible, and it can be adapted for a wide range of critical civilian and/or military facilities. “Scrubbing” the fuel-air cloud at the entrance of the facility with injected water mist will prevent the fuel-air cloud from both entering the facility and detonating inside. Subsequent water mist discharge systems along tunnels/corridors can be activated upon the detection of a blast, and it will suppress the effects of such explosions

Four young scientists working for the Project had internship in research centres in the US and Europe.

Young researchers participated in the specific training at New Mexico Tech (Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center), US. The topic of the training/workshop was: “High Speed Digital Imaging Techniques for Blast Impact Measurement Educational Workshop”. The short course at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) at the New Mexico Tech covered the following sub- topics: High Speed Camera Tech.; Imaging Explosions; Shock wave visualization.

The findings were presented at twelve international conferences, and full papers were published in fourteen international journals.

NATO Channel.tv produced a video clip about the project results (www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s0D-Ns28fQ), which has over 3330 views.

The G. Tsulukidze Mining Institute is entered in “Catalogue of organisations conducting security related research and innovation in eastern partnership countries” (http://www.secure-r2i.eu/images/SECURE-R2I_EPC-Organisations-and-Technologies-Catalogue.pdf

Publications

  1. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, M. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer, Development and Testing of an Active Suppression Systems for Reduction of Blast Effect Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium for the Interaction of the Effects of Munitions with Structures, Nov. 9-13, 2015. Destin, FL, USA.
  2. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, N. Bochorishvili, M. Chikhradze. Multifunctional device for explosion detection. Proceedings of the EFEE 8th World Conference, 26 – 28 April, 2015. Lyon, France.
  3. M. Chikhradze, E. Mataradze, K. Tavlalashvili, N. BochoriSvili, Sh. Marjanishvili. Development of Device for Identification Explosions and Fires. Proceedings of the Signal Processing Symposium.10-12 June 2015, Debe, Poland.
  4. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, N. Bochorishvili, I. Akhvlediani, T. Krauthammer. New Suppression System of Methane Explosion in Coal Mines. Proceedings of the World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7 – 11 September 2015. Prague.
  5. M. Chikhradze, E. Mataradze, Sh. Marjanishvili, N. Bochorishvili, I. Akhvlediani. Blast Identification Device. Proceedings of the World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7 – 11 September 2015. Prague.
  6. E. Mataradze, M. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer, Sh. Marjanishvili. Design of Wireless System for the Detection of Accidental and Terrorist Explosions and Fires in Manufacturing Sites Proceeding of the Fifth International Conference on Design and Analysis of Protective Structures (DAPS2015), 19-21 May 2015, Singapore.
  7. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, I. Akhvlediani, N. Bochorishvili, T. Krauthammer. New Design of   Shock Tube for the Study of Vapor Cloud Explosion. Proceeding of the World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium, WMESS 2016. 5-9 September 2016, Prague (Czech Republic).
  8. M. Chikhradze, I. Akhvlediani, N. Bochorishvili, K. Tavlalashvili, D. Tatishvili. Integrated system for detection of accidental explosions and fires in chemical plants. Presented at the International Conference “Modern researches and prospects of their use in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields.” 21-23 September 2016, Ureki, Georgia. 
  9. N. Chikhradze, E. Mataradze, M. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer, Z. Mansurov, E.Alyiev. Methane Explosion Mitigation in Coal Mines by Water Mist. Proceedings of the World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7 – 11 September 2015. Prague.
  10. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, N. Bochorishvili, I. Akhvlediani, D. Tatishvili. Experimental study of the effect of water mist location on blast overpressure attenuation in a shock tube. Proceedings of the World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7 – 11 September 2017. Prague.
  11. N. Chikhradze, E. Mataradze, M. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer.Protection concept and design system for mitigating effect of terrorist and accidental explosions in underground structures. Proceedings of the 17th International Symposium on the Interaction of the Effects of Munitions with Structures (17th ISIEMS), October 2017, 16 – 20, Bad Neuenahr, Germany.
  12. N. Chikhradze, E. Mataradze, T. Krauthammer. Hybrid System for Attenuation of Shock Wave and Fire in Tunnels. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Design and Analysis of Protective Structures (DAPS 2017). 29 November – 1 December 2 017, Melbourne, Australia.
  13. Z. A. Mansurov, A.T. Alyev, E. D. Mataradze, N. M. Chikhradze, M. K. Atamanov, G. T. Smagulova, Application of Air-Water Barrier for Suppression of Shock wave and Fire, J. “Combustion and Plasma Chemistry” v. 15, #3, 2017. pp. 228-237, Kazakhstan.
  14. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, I. Akhvlediani, N. Bochorishvili, Z. Malvenisvili. Experimental study of influence of water mist on blast overpressure in shock tube. Proceeding of the IX International Symposium «Combustion and plasmochemistry, September 13-15, 2017. Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

Conference presentations

  1. The 16th International Symposium for the Interaction of the Effects of Munitions with Structures, Nov. 9-13, 2015. Destin, FL, USA.
  2. The EFEE 8th World Conference, 26 – 28 April, 2015. Lyon, France.
  3. The Signal Processing Symposium.10-12 June 2015, Debe, Poland.
  4. The World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium, 7 – 11 September 2015, Prague.
  5. The Fifth International Conference on Design and Analysis of Protective Structures (DAPS2015), 19-21 May 2015, Singapore.
  6. The World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium, WMESS 2016. 5-9 September 2016, Prague (Czech Republic).
  7. The International Conference “Modern researches and prospects of their use in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields.” 21-23 September 2016, Ureki, Georgia.
  8. The 2015 World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7-11 September 2015, Prague.
  9. The 2017 World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium,7-11 September 2017, Prague.
  10. The 17th International Symposium on the Interaction of the Effects of Munitions with Structures (17th ISIEMS), October 2017, 16 – 20, Bad Neuenahr, Germany.
  11. The 6th International Conference on Design and Analysis of Protective Structures (DAPS 2017).29 November – 1 December 2017, Melbourne, Australia.
  12. The IX International Symposium «Combustion and plasmochemistry, September 13-15, 2017. Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Patents:

  1. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer, Explosion Protection System, Patent of Georgia P6632, 14 March, 2017 .
  2. E. Mataradze, N. Chikhradze, T. Krauthammer, Patent Application No. 15/567,172. United States Patent and Trademark Office.Explosion protection system. Stage: substantive examination.

24-10-2018