German Demilitarization Experiences after Reunification

Hiltmar Schubert

Fraunhofer-Institut for Chemical Technology

Pfinztal / Karlsruhe

Germany

Content

1. Introduction2. Methods

2.1 Recycling of Explosive Materials2.2 Reprocessing2.3 Chemical/Biological Decomposing

2.3.1 Alkaline Pressure Hydrolysis2.3.2 Supercritical Fluids

2.4 Incineration3. Conclusion4. Literature5. Appendix

Conditions for the Demilitarization of AmmunitionThe process has to be:

• Safe

• Technical feasible

• Environmental safe belonging to Air, Ground, Water and Noise (Following the German Environmental Laws and Regulations)

• Operational economic

The Different Methods of Demilitarization (1)

The overall aim of demilitarization was, to

keep the value of the material as high as

possible.

Therefore the following procedure was

recommended in the following order:

The Different Methods of Demilitarization (2)

• Recycling of the explosive material

• Reprocessing to other useful materials

• Biological/chemical decomposing to interim products or to final products

• Incineration under environmental friendly conditions

The Different Methods of Demilitarization (3)

Following these recommendations a large

research-programme has started by

research companies and research institutes

like ICT.

During the first years of Demilitarization the

principle was not observed in all cases

because of the urgency of the task.

Result of the Alkaline Pressure Hydrolysis• Nitrocellulose and Nitroglycerin were completely

degraded.• Nitro- and Amino-aromatics are largely reduced

and a subsequent biological step will lower the Nitrogen content again.

• Graphite will be not dissolved by this process.• The heavy-metal-content has no negative

influence on the biodegradation.• The stabilizers decrease are no longer

detectable.

Different Incineration Process for Energetic Materials (Situation in the year 1991)

• Batch-Type Incinerator (Example: Pantex AES-Plant)

• Rotary Incinerator (Example: Burlington AEC-Plant or Hercules Redford AAD)

• Deactivation Furnace (Example: Toole Army Depot)

• Fluidized Bed Incinerator (Example: ARRADCOM)

Fig. 1 Incineration Plant of the »EST-Entsorgungsanlagen Betriebsgesellschaft«

Conclusion (1)

Research and Development andexperiences in Germany have shown the following statements:• The chosen methods for the special

treatments of old munitions (recycling,reprocessing, conversion and all kinds of destruction of the energetic material) will be dependant in principle on the available amount of the special material.

Conclusion (2)

• In nearly all cases environmental safe treatment of the explosive materials, special investigations are necessary. The value of the final product must be comparable with the market price. If the market price is low, only very few methods are available in practice although they are technical feasible.

Conclusion (3)

• The destruction of the explosives should be the ultimate solutions for demilitarization, but according to the matter of price in many cases the only solution.

• The praxis has shown, the environmental safe demilitarization of ammunition costs money and will be more expensive than people estimate.

Conclusion (4)

• As we all know, production of ammunition costs money. Demilitarization of ammunition in an environmental safe manner costs also money, sometimes in the same order.

• Good experiences was made, if the explosive industry was commissioned to be engaged with this task, because these people are used to handle the dangerous material.

Conclusion (5)

• In the past large amounts of energetic materials were available for demilitarization. But these amounts are not comparable with those of commercial explosives by 10 to 100 times. This observation should be kept in mind, if an industrial production for a commercial product should be developed based on a reprocessed explosive material.

Conclusion (6)

Beside these general statements the

following special experiences were found:

• According to market prices the recycling of explosives like TNT or RDX including cleaning and/or recristallization for an other purpose is in most cases not recommended. The same situation will be also observed with Nitrocellulose.

Conclusion (7)

• Recycling of Ammoniumperchlorat is recommended only, if huge amounts are

available.

• Recycling of HMX is recommended in most cases.

• Detonator- and Igniter-materials should be wasted. Mercury compound should be reprocessed into Mercury.

Conclusion (8)

• Delaborated gun-propellants, chopped rocket propellants and high explosives like TNT may be used as components in commercial explosives if the national regulations give permission.

• Selling the metal components of the ammunition as raw-material will be almost the only profit of the job, but will be reduced by the expenses of delaboration of the ammunition.