Development of an Environmentally Acceptable Thermal Treatment Alternative for Energetic Material

ABSTRACT Alternatives to the open burn/open detonation (OB/OD) disposal of energetic materials are being actively investigated by both the government and industry because of increasing restrictions being imposed by the various air quality districts and governmental agencies. Aerojet has developed a system that can dispose of these types of materials in a three-step process that meets all environmental regulatory requirements. Step 1 is the removal of the energetic material from its container, if required, using high pressure water. Step 2 involves macerating the material in water to facilitate desensitization of Class 1.1 and Class 1.3 energetic materials prior to incineration (Step 3) which is structured around a dual chamber, fixed hearth incinerator designed to operate under negative pressure to eliminate fugitive emissions. This incinerator is a two-stage, controlled-air unit equipped with tandem liquid scrubbers capable of limiting particulates to less than 1.0 micron with a 95% efficiency at 0.5 mic...