Analysis of explosion characteristics of mixed biomass explosive initiated by detonator and aluminum thermite detonation

To explore the feasibility of nano aluminum thermite as a detonator substitute for achieving stable detonation in mixed biomass blasting agent systems, and to clarify the differences in detonation effects relative to detonators, digital electronic detonators (S0), Al/CuO thermite (S1), and Al/Bi₂O₃ thermite (S2) were selected to detonate a mixed biomass blasting agent composed of wood powder and peanut shell powder (mass ratio 1∶1). Based on theoretical analysis, qualitative analysis and quantitative calculation were conducted for the total energy release and energy release power of different detonation methods to estimate detonation performance. Industrial explosive performance testing methods-including aluminum thermite detonation test, orthogonal tests of detonation velocity and intensity, underwater explosion tests, and blasting funnel tests-were used to systematically test and compare the detonation response characteristics of the mixed biomass blasting agent under different detonation conditions. The evolutionary laws of the explosive performance were explored from perspectives of impact effect, energy release intensity, and spatial damage effect. Results indicate that detonators and thermites belong to two distinct energy release power level systems: detonators enable instantaneous power output in the MW range, while thermites only reach the kW range. Aluminum thermite detonation is a typical high-temperature explosive energy release process with high energy density, which can achieve effective energy coupling under limited constraints and possesses reliable detonation capability. Oxygen pressure is the dominant factor affecting detonation velocity and intensity, followed by steel pipe wall thickness. The impact of detonation methods is relatively weak, and detonation methods are substitutable. Synergistic enhancement of detonation velocity and intensity can be achieved by increasing oxygen pressure and optimizing constraint conditions. The excitation efficiency of the three detonation methods follows a consistent ranking: S0 is the strongest, S2 ranks second, and S1 is slightly weaker. This ranking has been verified by shock wave parameters and crater volumes (0.33, 0.24, 0.21 m³). This research provides experimental support for the optimization and application of biomass blasting technology.