Base Hydrolysis Process for the Destruction of Energetic Materials
Abstract
The Program Manager, Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment (PM ACWA) was formed by Public Law 104-208, Sec. 8065 to study alternatives to the baseline incineration process for the demilitarization of assembled chemical weapons, and that at least two alternatives to the baseline incineration process be identified and demonstrated. The information generated under the PM ACWA program will be used to support a technology decision for the Pueblo, Colorado and Blue Grass, Kentucky Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities. In FY 99, PM ACWA decided to conduct additional work to optimize the hydrolysis process for energetic materials, an intermediate processing step used to de-energize the energetics recovered from chemical munitions during the disassembly operations. Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center was tasked by PM ACWA to execute an Engineering Scale Test of the base hydrolysis process. The objective of this program was to: determine optimum operating parameters to support scale-up of the hydrolysis process, define a hydrolysis process that is safe and environmentally compliant; and address issues regarding full-scale hydrolysis of energetics identified by the National Research Council (NRC) reviewing technical progress on the ACWA program. Commissioning of the energetics hydrolysis system was successfully accomplished at Holston Army Ammunition Plant on 14 December 2000 with the first trial run with Composition B explosive. The test and evaluation program was completed in April 2001.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA468309
Entities
People
- Bishara Elmasri
- Peter C. Bonnett
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal