Date of Award

5-4-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Professor Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

This project presents the design, analysis, and prototype development of a slow cook-off (SCO) test oven for insensitive munitions (IM) testing, sponsored by the Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA). The objective was to develop a controlled thermal environment capable of heating a test volume at a constant rate of 15°C/hr while maintaining thermal uniformity and compliance with MIL-STD-2105E and AOP-4382 standards.

The team designed and fabricated a partially cylindrical-shaped oven structure to improve heat distribution and minimize internal temperature gradients. Key design features include a curved aluminum shell, ceramic insulation, multiple thermocouples for monitoring, and a removable grate system to ensure the test article is not in direct contact with heating elements. Structural reinforcements were implemented to maintain integrity at elevated temperatures while allowing fragment permeability for safety compliance.

Testing was conducted to evaluate heating rate, thermal uniformity, and maximum temperature performance. Results showed that the oven successfully achieved temperatures exceeding 300°C and maintained thermal gradients within approximately 1–5°C, meeting uniformity requirements. However, the heating rate exceeded the target of 15°C/hr, indicating the need for improved control through proportional integral derivative (PID) tuning or staged heating.

Overall, the prototype demonstrates a viable proof-of-concept for a standardized SCO oven design. The project establishes a strong foundation for future improvements, including refined heating control, modular scalability, and extended duration testing to meet full operational requirements.

Comments

Team Name: Team 13

Company Sponsor: Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA) 

Sponsor Representative: Joe LiVolsi

Document Reference: URI-MCE-2026-FDR-013

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