Treatment of explosive waste
AssigneeInternational Technology Corporation
InventorMichael P. Barkdoll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention described herein provides a method and apparatus for the treatment of explosive waste. The method involves the use of a vessel containing a hot granular bed such as sand to ignite the waste and to dampen explosive forces generated by the ignition of the waste. When the waste contains non-combustible components, the granular bed serves to decrease the force of impact of the non-combustible materials on the vessel walls thereby increasing the life of the vessel and as a media for collection of the non-combustible materials. The granular bed may be removed from the chamber, the non-combustible material separated, and the bed returned in a continuous or intermittent recycle for an efficient operation which conserves the bed material.
Claims28
A method for thermally destroying explosive waste comprising:
- providing an impact resistant substantially closed vessel having an upper portion, a lower portion, at least one opening in the upper portion for introduction of explosive waste and containing a substantially non-combustible granular bed in the lower portion thereof;
- heating the granular bed to a temperature of at least about 550.degree. C.;
- and
- depositing the waste into the vessel so as to cause the waste to contact the granular bed whereupon heat energy from the bed is transferred to the waste causing the waste to ignite and wherein the bed dampens explosive forces associated with the ignition.
A method for treating explosive waste containing non-combustible components comprising:
- providing an impact resistant substantially closed vessel having an upper portion, a lower portion, at least one opening in the upper portion for introduction of explosive waste containing non-combustible components, the vessel having a granular bed in the lower portion thereof;
- heating the granular bed to a temperature of at least about 550.degree. C.;
- and
- introducing the waste to the vessel in a manner sufficient to cause the waste to contact the granular bed whereupon heat energy from the bed is transferred to the waste causing the waste to ignite and wherein the bed dampens explosive forces associated with ignition of the waste.
A system for treating explosive waste comprising:
- a vessel having impact resistant walls defining a substantially closed chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion and at least one opening communicating exteriorly into the chamber through the vessel for introduction of explosive waste into the chamber;
- a substantially non-combustible granular bed in the lower portion of the chamber for heating the waste to a destruction temperature;
- a feed conveyor for conveying the waste through the opening into the chamber so as to deposit the waste into or onto the bed;
- and
- a heater for heating the granular bed to a temperature sufficient to ignite the waste.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.