EP2163845A2 - Process and device for dismantling ammunition having incendiary contents and for recycling of the casing material - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves opening the ammunition shell, where the flammable contents of the shell are removed and separated. The opening of the ammunition shell and the removal of the flammable contents are carried out at certain temperature ranges of the flammable contents. The cooling of the ammunitions (10) is carried out by extracting heat using liquid nitrogen, where the ammunitions are flammable blast bombs, such as gasoline and thermite. An independent claim is included for a device for decommissioning of ammunition with flammable contents or recovery of ammunition shell materials.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the decommissioning of ammunition with combustible content. The inventive method and the associated device are designed such that with them the material of the ammunition shell is so separated from the ammunition ingredients that the ammunition shell material can be supplied to a reuse, which may also be in the civilian area.

That is, the method and apparatus may be used for decommissioning ammunition and / or for recovering the usually metal-containing ammunition casing material. In particular, the method according to the invention and the device for the decommissioning of incendiary bombs and flame-jet bombs can be used.

The fire mass of a conventional fire bomb has a mixture of rubber, benzene, white phosphorus, phosphorus trioxide and sulfur. The content of the flame jet bomb essentially comprises the components gasoline and thermite.

Usually firebombs or flame bombs are screwed or milled on the housing and the liquid contents of the bombs is filled into barrels. These processes take place in a water-filled floor pan, the bomb housing parts, to which remains of fire mass can adhere, are annealed in a detonation furnace. Due to the risk of ignition of incendiary or flame bomb contents a high security effort is necessary.

From the document DD 293 883 A5 is a method and system for the removal of toxic and / or explosive objects, in particular C-weapons, known in which by means of a high-pressure water jet cutting device, the ammunition is decomposed in a liquid. Even with this method, it can not be ruled out that oxygen comes into contact with the combustible contents of the ammunition and thus causes an inflammation. Due to the manipulations under water, the process is feasible only with an increased organizational and design effort.

From the EP 0 622 605 An automatic plant for the neutralization of chemical ammunition is known, this plant comprising a tub containing a solution bath for the chemical loading of the ammunition. That is, the flammable content of the ammunition is exposed to the solution bath, so that it comes to the reaction of the content with the solution, thus defusing the ammunition occurs. The disadvantage of this method is that of Expenditure to provide the chemicals is relatively high and also contamination of the ammunition shell material occurs.

In the DE 41 17 828 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for decommissioning of ammunition, wherein the separation of projectile, sleeve and igniter takes place by the gas pressure of a deflagration of the propellant charge. This means that the ammunition is exploded. The disadvantage of this is that high security measures are required in the execution of the explosion. Furthermore, contamination of the ammunition housing due to the explosion as well as unwanted structural changes in metal ammunition housings are to be expected.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for the decommissioning of ammunition with combustible content available, by means of which at low cost and high security ammunition defused in a simple manner and the ammunition shell material can be recycled.

This object is achieved by the method mentioned in claim 1 for the delaboration. Advantageous embodiments of this method are mentioned in the associated subclaims. In addition, the object is achieved by the apparatus mentioned in claim 11, which may be configured by at least one of the advantageous embodiments mentioned in the associated subclaims.

According to the invention there is provided a method for decommissioning ammunition with combustible contents and for recovering the ammunition casing material, wherein the ammunition casing is opened and the combustible contents of the casing are removed and separated, the ammunition casing opening and the combustible contents being removed in a temperature range from 64K to 160K.

That is, when opening the ammunition shell and the removal of combustible substances, the ammunition has a temperature of 64 K to 160 K.

The ammunition may be a bomb, in particular a firebomb or a flame bomb or a grenade or cartridge. The advantage of the method according to the invention is that in the frozen state, the reactivity of the combustible material, such as white phosphorus or thermite, is reduced or completely taken. White phosphorus can no longer react with the oxygen component of the ambient air in the low-temperature range. The inflammation of thermite is due to the extremely low Thermal energy of the thermite excluded. This means that the advantage of the process is to be seen in the increased work safety in the handling of the fires, as they can not be effective in the frozen state. In addition, the frozen combustible contents of the ammunition are easier to handle than liquid substances.

Due to the increased safety, the separation can be carried out manually. This means that an increased constructive effort to carry out the separation process is not necessary. After the ammunition contents have been separated, the ammunition casing material can be made available for further use, if appropriate also in the civil sector.

In a simpler, but safety-sufficient manner, the method according to the invention can be carried out in a temperature range from 77 K to 153 K, and in this case particularly advantageously in a range from 123 K to 153 K.

The cooling of the ammunition is realized by means of liquid nitrogen, which is brought into contact with the ammunition shell. Advantageously, the method is designed such that the ammunition to be delaborated is immersed in the liquid nitrogen.

After separating the ammunition from the nitrogen, the ammunition heats up slightly, so that the opening of the ammunition shell is carried out at a slightly higher temperature than the temperature of the nitrogen bath, but at least the temperature range of 77 K to 153 K are maintained when opening the shell should. From a safety point of view, a temperature range of 123 K to 153 K ammunition is sufficient.

That is, the lowest temperature of the ammunition can be in a range of less than 77 K, due to the temperature of the liquid nitrogen to which the munitions have been exposed, and the ammunition must not heat above 153 K when opening and removing the ammunition ingredients.

The shorter the time span between the removal of the ammunition from the nitrogen bath and the opening of the ammunition casing and the lower the ambient temperature at breakup, the more reliable the method according to the invention can be carried out.

In a simple manner, the opening of the shell of the ammunition to be delabored is realized by means of breaking up. For this purpose, a relatively large pressure is applied to the ammunition shell so that it breaks up and forms an opening from which the contents can be removed. The low temperature of the ammunition or its shell favors the breaking up of a metal shell, since they are less elastic or breakable before breaking plastically deformed, but tends to break even after slight deformation. To exercise the pressure on the ammunition shell can be preferably use a hydraulic device.

As already mentioned, the ammunition to be deposed can be a firebomb that contains white phosphorus as combustible content. In particular, by means of the method according to the invention, it is possible to delabor burnbombs with 30 lb. However, the delaboration of larger or smaller incendiary bombs by means of the method according to the invention should not be ruled out. Alternatively, the method according to the invention can also be used for flame jet bombs containing gasoline and thermite.

For complete freezing of the ammunition to be delaborated it is provided that the ammunition is exposed to the liquid nitrogen for 30 to 45 minutes before it is separated from the nitrogen.

The separation of the ammunition from the nitrogen is realized by removing the ammunition from the nitrogen bath. Due to the residence time of the liquid nitrogen in a container, this may have already passed into its surface in small quantities in the gaseous phase.

To ensure the freezing during the separation of the combustible contents, it is provided that the ammunition is broken after the separation of nitrogen within two minutes. The times mentioned refer to the 30 lb (30 lb) burnout decoction according to the invention which contain white phosphorus and, after treatment with nitrogen, are fed to an apparatus for rupturing at an average room temperature of 291 K to 293 K. By ensuring the frozen state, the flammable contents are not in liquid form, as normally at ambient temperature, but in solid form or in a gelled state, which facilitates manual removal.

Since the stated values refer to the release of 30 pound incendiary bombs, when declaring larger or smaller bombs or grenades, the ranges of values for carrying out the procedure should be scaled accordingly.

For safety reasons regarding the maintenance of the frozen state, it is provided that the contents of the ammunition are removed from the casing within ten minutes after separation from the nitrogen. That means that, for example, at the Delaboration of 30-pound firebombs should take a maximum of twelve minutes between the removal of the ammunition from the nitrogen and the removal of the contents of the ammunition.

According to the invention, a device for carrying out the method is provided, this device comprising a device for receiving ammunition and a device for freezing the ammunition in a range from 64 K to 77 K. The device for receiving the ammunition is advantageously a prism, in which, for example, a bomb can be inserted.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention further comprises a device for pressurizing the ammunition. This device for pressurizing can be based for example on a hydraulic action principle. Alternatively and cost-effectively, however, it can also be provided that the ammunition casing is opened with a hand tool. The pressurization can be done by stamping, which act blunt on the ammunition shell. Alternatively, however, the device for pressurizing can also be configured such that the pressure tools which attach to the ammunition casing are made pointed in order to effect a limited pressure application to the casing.

The device for freezing should advantageously be designed such that it can enable contacting of the ammunition with liquid nitrogen. For this purpose, the device for freezing can be a container that can be filled with liquid nitrogen.

The device may comprise a tank as a reservoir for liquid nitrogen.

Furthermore, the device can be designed such that the nitrogen is already in a liquid state in a container for receiving the ammunition or a reservoir for storing the nitrogen in the device. In such an embodiment, the device according to the invention thus also comprises the nitrogen.

The device according to the invention is advantageously configured if it comprises a remote control and working elements which can be actuated by means of the remote control. These working elements may be, for example, ammunition grippers, means for generating the pressure on the casing or grippers for gripping the contents of the ammunition. By means of the remote control and the work elements that can be actuated with it, thus the security can be increased in the execution of the delaboration. The process of delaboration should be monitored with a camera and preferably in a secluded working area, such as behind a mound, in a bunker or in a Security containers are carried out so that in the event of an accident injuries to persons due to explosion or explosives are avoided.

Figur 1

die Entnahme von Munition aus einem Lager,

Figur 2

das Einbringen von Munition in eine Einrichtung zur Tiefkühlung,

Figur 3

die vollständige Verbindung der Munition mit einem Mittel zur Tiefkühlung,

Figur 4

die räumliche Abschottung der Einrichtung zur Tiefkühlung,

Figur 5

die Entnahme der tiefgekühlten Munition aus der Einrichtung zur Tiefkühlung,

Figur 6

die Auflage der Munition auf einer Einrichtung zur Aufnahme,

Figur 7

die Druckbeaufschlagung der Munition,

Figur 8

das Aufbrechen der Munition und

Figur 9

das Separieren der Inhaltsstoffe und der aufgebrochenen Munitionshülle.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows

FIG. 1

the removal of ammunition from a warehouse,

FIG. 2

the introduction of ammunition into a facility for freezing,

FIG. 3

the complete connection of ammunition with a means of freezing,

FIG. 4

the spatial isolation of the device for freezing,

FIG. 5

the removal of the frozen ammunition from the deep-freezing facility,

FIG. 6

the circulation of the ammunition on a device for receiving,

FIG. 7

the pressurization of the ammunition,

FIG. 8

breaking up the ammunition and

FIG. 9

separating the ingredients and the broken ammunition hull.

In the FIGS. 1 to 9 the delaboration of bomb-like ammunition 10 is shown, wherein the inventive method and the device according to the invention should not be limited to the delaborierung of bombs, such as incendiary or flame bombs, but can also be related to the delaboration of small caliber ammunition or grenades.

In FIG. 1 It is shown that ammunition 10 is removed by means of a hoist 30 from a storage rack 20.

In FIG. 2 It can be seen that the ammunition 10 is brought by means of the hoist 30 in a container 42 in which liquid nitrogen 41 is located.

Subsequently, as in FIG. 3 shown, the container 42, in which the ammunition 10 is located, filled with nitrogen 41, so that the ammunition 10 is completely covered with nitrogen 41. Since at normal ambient temperature constantly evaporates some of the liquid phase in liquid nitrogen 41, the container must be refilled. to Be filling and refilling, the inventive device comprises a tank 44 for storing the nitrogen 41, to which via lines a valve 45 is provided, which serves to control the flow volume in the refilling system 43 shown. That is, in this case, the deep-cooling device 40 has a container 42 for receiving the ammunition 10 and the nitrogen 41, as well as a refilling unit 43. However, the device according to the invention is not limited to the combination of container 42 and refill unit 43, but the apparatus may also be designed such that it comprises only one container for holding the nitrogen 41 and the ammunition 10.

In order to achieve a complete cooling of the ammunition 10, this will, as in FIG. 3 represented completely covered with nitrogen 41 or surrounded by nitrogen 41.

To cool the ammunition 10 or to enter the heat of the ammunition 10 in the surrounding nitrogen 41, the ammunition 10 remains for a while in the nitrogen-filled container 42, to which it is provided with a cover 46. Fire bombs weighing 30 pounds should remain in nitrogen 41 for 30 to 45 minutes. Larger or smaller or heavier or lighter ammunition10 should similarly remain in the nitrogen bath for a longer or shorter period of time.

After sufficient cooling of the ammunition 10 in a frozen state, this is, as in FIG. 5 shown removed from the container 42 and, as in FIG. 6 shown on a device for receiving ammunition 10, which is designed in this case as a prism recorded.

Subsequently, as in FIG. 7 shown, the ammunition 10 with a pressurizing means 60 via a force acting on the ammunition envelope punch 62 pressurized so that it, as in FIG. 8 shown, to such a deformation of the ammunition 10 comes that the shell of the ammunition 10 breaks. In this process, the ammunition 10 has a temperature of 64 K to 160 K. Due to the heating due to the influence of ambient heat after removal from the nitrogen bath, the ammunition 10 when opening the shell and removal of the ingredients optionally has a temperature above the boiling point of nitrogen, namely above 77 K. According to the invention, however, the opening and removal should take place at least in the temperature range from 77 K to 153 K, the safety still being sufficient if the temperature of the ammunition 10 during opening and removal is 123 K to 153 K.

It can now, as in FIG. 9 indicated by the arrows, the combustible content of the ammunition 10 separate, the easily flammable in normal state contents are fed to a special receptacle 80 and the metallic components of the ammunition 10 are received in a pallet 70 and a further use, optionally after a recycling process , can be supplied.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

ammunition

20

storage rack

30

hoist

40

Device for freezing

41

nitrogen

42

container

43

Nachfüllanlage

44

tank

45

Valve

46

cover

50

Device for receiving ammunition

60

Device for pressure application

62

stamp

70

palette

80

receptacle

Claims (15)

A method for decommissioning ammunition (10) with combustible contents and / or for recovering the ammunition casing material, in which the ammunition casing is opened and the combustible contents of the casing are removed and separated, characterized in that the opening of the ammunition casing and removal of the combustible contents in a temperature range of the combustible contents of 64 K to 160 K. Process for the delaboration and / or recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening of the ammunition shell and removal of the combustible contents takes place in a temperature range from 77 K to 153 K. Process for the delaboration and / or recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening of the ammunition casing and removal of the combustible contents takes place in a temperature range from 123 K to 153 K. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling of the ammunition (10) by heat removal by means of liquid nitrogen (41) is realized, which is brought into contact with the ammunition envelope. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening of the shell takes place by means of rupture. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ammunition (10) is a firebomb which contains white phosphorus as combustible content. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ammunition (10) is a flame jet bomb containing gasoline and thermite. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the munition (10) is exposed to the nitrogen (41) for 30 to 45 minutes before being separated from the nitrogen (41). Process for the removal and / or recovery according to claim 8, characterized in that the ammunition (10) is broken up after the separation of nitrogen (41) within two minutes. Process for the removal and / or recovery according to claim 8, characterized in that the contents of the ammunition (10) are removed from the shell within 10 minutes after the separation of nitrogen (41). Apparatus for carrying out the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a device for receiving ammunition (50) and a device for freezing (40) the ammunition (10) in a range of 64 K to 77 K. includes. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises means for pressurizing (60) the ammunition (10). Device according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the device for freezing (40) is designed such that it allows the contacting of the ammunition (10) with nitrogen (41). Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the device for freezing (40) is a container (42) which can be filled with liquid nitrogen (41). Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a remote control and operable by means of the remote control working elements.

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