On-Range Treatment of Ordnance Debris and Bulk Energetics Resulting from Low-Order Detonations

Abstract

In this project, we proposed to develop an exceptionally low-cost, field-able process for the rapid decontamination of energetic material (EM) from bulk compositions and low order detonation (LOD) debris. The on-range process would use rapid decomposition followed by base hydrolysis to produce a waste solution that could be fed to a thermal oxidation system which would completely destroy the organic explosives, producing only gases and steam. To meet this goal, this project had the following major technical objectives: (1) Test and refine the solvent formulation for maximum speed, highest capacity, lowest cost, and widest applicability of decontamination of range scrap (with emphasis on heavily-coated LOD materials and bulk energetics). (2) Evaluate several processes that could completely destroy or degrade the decontamination solutions on-site so that no residual hazardous wastes remain. (3) Set-up, evaluate and demonstrate the decontamination technology on-range with a variety of scrap materials. This objective included evaluation and demonstration of new degradation end-point analytical methods. (4) Determine the costs for implementing the technology. This research project was directly relevant to the DOD and DOE needs for more effective, lower cost methods for treatment of energetics residues at former and active military training/testing installations as identified in SERDP SEEDSON-01-08.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA438484

Entities

People

  • Philip G. Thorne

Organizations

  • Applied Research Associates (United States)

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Energetic Materials
  • Explosive Charges
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • Explosives
  • Liquids
  • Manufacturing
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Melting Point
  • Military Training
  • Munitions
  • Propellants
  • Sodium Hydroxide

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis