A method is described for disposing of an explosive munition consisting of a mass of explosive contained in a casing, which method comprises locally heating a region of the casing to a temperature below the melting point of the material of the casing but sufficiently hi to initiate combustion of the explosive mass. The heat is preferably applied by the use of a thermit which burns at a lower temperature than conventional thermits an which uses as a combustible powder a mixture of aluminum iron oxide and a moderator, such as silica sand.
A waste substance such as toxic compounds used in chemical weapons and industrial wastes including incineration ash is treated by a thermit reaction agent by way of supplying the waste substance to a combustion region of the thermit reaction agent or by adding way of heating the blended material comprising the waste substance and thermit reaction agent. The waste substance is fed into the combustion region of a thermit-type hypergolic fuel containing as its principal component a thermit reaction agent composed of an aluminum powder and a metal oxide powder, thus breaking down such a waste substance using the combustion heat of the thermit-type hypergolic fuel. The waste substance can be blended with a thermit reaction agent and fed into a combustion chamber so that the blended material is heated by way of a burner, so that the blended material is directly heated by a burner during the continuation of thermit reaction following the start of the thermit reaction of the thermit reaction agent. The heating of the blended material is executed by way of the surface heating by the burner and the thermit reaction heat generated inside the blended material.
A structure for the destruction of dangerous materials is described which has a destruction location, which may be a pit below ground level. The destruction pit contains the dangerous materials. At least one durable, sealed membrane is present beneath at least a portion of the destruction pit. An overburden mound of soil is provided above the destruction pit; and at least one shaped explosive charge placed adjacent the dangerous materials capable of subjecting the dangerous materials to crushing detonation forces and high heat for a period of time. After detonation of the explosive charge to destroy the dangerous materials and their containers, such as by pyrolysis, the destruction pit is remediated by removal of the waste products. The methods and structures of the In-Situ Implosion (ISI) process can be used in an Engineered ISI embodiment where dangerous materials are brought to a previously prepared site, or in a Direct ISI embodiment where it is too dangerous to move the materials through the public area immediately around their location, and the materials are prepared according to the method and structures of the invention. After destruction of hazardous materials and removal of hazardous residues from the pit, the ISI structure may be re-used or the pit area may be restored.
A method for neutralizing explosive ordnance is provided. According to an aspect of the method, an energetic charge is activated to produce a shockwave, which is imparted at an effective velocity and temperature on a gas to ionize the gas for creating plasma and to drive the plasma. The plasma is impacted on a casing of an ordnance containing an explosive to penetrate through the casing and, without or before causing an explosive event of explosive within the casing, substantially consume the explosive.
A method for neutralization of the explosive content of mines and UXO by essentially completely consuming the explosive by combustion or decomposition before any explosion occurs. A charge of a compound that reacts with an extremely high heat-release rate is ignited on or near the casing of the device to be neutralized. The intense exothermic reaction generates high temperature combustion products that will disrupt the casing, thus leading to combustion or decomposition of the explosive. The holes melted in the mine casing enable ignition of a large area of the explosive charge and provide easy access for atmospheric air to support active burnout of the explosive. The apparatus comprises the compound that reacts with a high heat release rate, an ignition source, and a container for the assembly.
A method for neutralization of the explosive content of mines and UXO by essentially completely consuming the explosive by combustion or decomposition before any explosion occurs. A charge of a compound that reacts with an extremely high heat-release rate is ignited on or near the casing of the device to be neutrlized. The intense exothermic reaction generates high temperature combustion products that will disrupt the casing, thus leading to combustion or decomposition of the explosive. The holes melted in the mine casing enable ignition of a large area of the explosive charge and provide easy access for atmospheric air to support active burnout of tie explosive. The apparatus comprises the compound that reacts with a high heat release rate, an ignition source, and a container for the assembly.
