Patents Examined by Ngocwan T. Mai
  • Patent number: RE34419
    Abstract: Liquid ammonia is maintained at the required operating conditions to efficiently and rapidly achieve propellant demilitarization including recovery of ammonia perchlorate (AP) for reuse, by an environmentally safe method to comminute and remove propellant from existing rocket motor hardware. The method is also applicable to both solid and ground composite propellant which includes scrap or waste propellant. A disclosed demilitarization unit employed in the ammonium perchlorate recovery method is comprised of a supply and high pressure spray system for liquid ammonia, an extraction system, oxidizer recovery system, and an ammonia recovery, drying,* and recycling system. The method is workable at ambient temperature since ammonia is liquified under its own vapor pressure at 114 psig; however, increased temperature further enhances the extraction efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William S. Melvin, James F. Graham