Evaluation of Small Arms Propellants in Loading Hopper
Abstract
The U. S. Army is currently involved in a production base modernization program under which many new explosive and propellant production facilities are being build and others are being renovated and modernized. Significant attention is being given to both increased safety and production efficiencies for the in-process operations. Small arms ammunition plants use hoppers for in-process storage of propellants in ammunition loading operations. As long as the height of the propellant in the hopper is below a 'critical' level, any accidental burning initiation of the propellant will not result in either an explosion or a detonation of the propellant. This program was structured to verify that the in-process storage heights of IMR 8208, WC 818 and WC 844 propellants were below the 'critical' height. Hoppers and feed pipes were fabricated to be representative of the in-plant hopper/feed pipe configurations, as specified by ARRADCOM drawings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA088408
Entities
People
- E. P. Bergmann
- R. M. Rindner
- W. O. Seals
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute