Process and apparatus for photolytic degradation of explosives
AssigneeGlobal Environmental Solutions, Inc.
InventorsPaul L. Miller, Gary G. Wittmer, Mark D. Stignani
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Abstract
A process for photolytic degradation of the organic and nitrogenous components of high explosives in organic solvent is described. The process can be applied with a module photolytic apparatus so that munitions can be destroyed without endangering the environment or toxifying large quantities of water. An apparatus is also disclosed.
Claims6
A method for removing an explosive contained in a casing of a munition, comprising:
- contacting the explosive with a pressurized flow of organic solvent to produce a mixture of the explosive in the organic solvent, wherein the pressure is in a range of from about 1,000 psi to 500,000 psi.
A method for converting an explosive composition into non-explosive products comprising:
- exposing the explosive in a munition by cutting the munition casing with a first high pressure flow of organic solvent;
- contacting the explosive with a second pressurized flow of organic solvent to produce a mixture of the explosive in the organic solvent;
- and,
- irradiating the mixture with ultraviolet light at a wavelength of from about 200 to about 400 nm to cause conversion of the explosive to the non-explosive products.
An apparatus for converting an explosive composition contained in a munition into non-explosive products comprising:
- means for cutting the munition casing with a variable pressurized flow of organic solvent to expose the explosive composition and to excavate the explosive composition from the munition;
- means for collecting the excavated explosive and organic solvent to produce a mixture of the explosive in the organic solvent;
- and,
- means for irradiating the mixture with ultraviolet light at a wavelength of from about 200 to about 400 nm to cause conversion of the explosive to the non-explosive products;
- the means for irradiating, for collecting and for cutting being in fluid connection with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.