Cutting of Munitions and Removal of Explosives Through Application of Water Jet Technology
Abstract
Water jet technology has been used for removing explosives and propellants from large munitions and rocket motors. However, for small items where the recovery of the explosives has not been practical, destruction of the items has usually been done in the deactivation furnaces. Many munitions, because of high explosive (HE) content or shaped charge characteristics, require preprocessing by cutting/shearing/disassembly to expose the explosives or remove detonators/fuzes prior to introduction into the furnaces. Such preprocessing has traditionally been accomplished with mechanical disassembly equipment, punches and shears. This presentation covers the developmental work of the Ammunition Equipment Directorate, Tooele Army Depot, Tooele, Utah, USA, and the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenharn. Swindon, Wilts, England, in the use of abrasive water jet technology to open explosive cavities, remove detonating components, or otherwise prepare munitions items for furnace incineration. Based on work performed to date, the removal of explosives for recovery/recycling from small munitions may now be economically feasible using water jet technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA507033
Entities
People
- Alan Bailey
- George Wilken
- Hal Monson
- Mark M. Zaugg