Process for disposal of waste propellants and explosives
AssigneeHercules Incorporated
InventorEldon K. Hurley
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Abstract
An improved non-pyrolytic disposal process for nitrocellulose-based explosives and rocket propellants is disclosed. Explosive and propellant particles are digested by contact of the particles with an aqueous solution containing from about 5 to 20% by weight caustic (NaOH) maintained at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and under conditions of agitation until digestion is essentially complete. The resulting by product contains a mixture of depleted caustic and a water soluble sludge which can be disposed of or further processed. The process minimizes environmental concerns brought about by the open burning of high energy materials.
Claims15
A process for the chemical disposal of nitrocellulose-based explosive and propellant solids comprising contacting particles of said solids in a digestion reactor with an aqueous caustic hydrolysis solution having a concentration of caustic in the range of from about 5 to about 20% by weight under conditions of agitation and at solution temperatures in the range of from about 50.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. until said nitrocellulose is substantially solubilized, and removing an effluent containing digested nitrocellulose solution and dispersed non-solubles from said reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.