Elimination of Toxic Materials and Solvents from Solid Propellant Components (PP1058)

Abstract

Solid rocket motor (srm) propellant used in military tactical and strategic missile weapon systems contain hazardous and toxic materials. Lead is used as a ballistic catalyst in minimum signature propellants. It's use results in approximately 161,000 pounds of lead compound usage per year. In some "smoky" propellant formulations, hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a combustion product which contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion. It is estimated that seven million pounds of HCL is emitted from military rocket motors per year. Lastly, processing of energetic oxidizer materials used in SRMs requires the use of solvents which are toxic, considered ozone depleting substances and also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Approximately four million pounds of oxidizer solvents are utilized in propellant production per year. Due to the human health hazards associated with these toxic compounds, several regulations have been and are being promulgated to curtail or eliminate the use of these substances and their associated emissions. Therefore, alternatives are required to permit future propellant production and maintain weapon system readiness.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 17, 1998
Accession Number
ADA363240

Entities

People

  • Diane Hagler
  • Robert Stanley

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Energetic Materials
  • Liquid Explosives
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Organic Compounds
  • Particle Size
  • Propellants
  • Rocket Engines
  • Solid Propellants
  • Solid Rocket Oxidizers
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster