Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing solid propellant from a rocket motor case. Water is heated to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. Fahrenheit, pressurized to a pressure within the range of about 600 to 1200 psi, focused into a jet, and directed while moving relative to the propellant surface at an angle relative to the propellant surface which is in the range of about 15 to 45 degrees from a stand-off distance of up to about 20 inches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydraulically macerating and recovering soluble component from a solid material such as waste solid propellant that is semihard. The solid material is fed into a perforated enclosure where it is held until it is macerated such that it can pass through perforations in the enclosure. While held in the enclosure, the solid material is agitated and exposed to jets of liquid solvent under a pressure which is equal to at least about 1000 psig to thereby macerate the solid material and force it through the perforations and to dissolve soluble component such as ammonium perchlorate from solid propellant. In one embodiment, the propellant residue is conveyed to a residue discharge end of the apparatus by a sloping helical conveyor. The helical conveyor provides individual contact stages for counter-current extraction and washing of ammonium perchlorate from the residue with recycled solvent.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of ammonium perchlorate from waste solid rocket propellant is effected by leaching shredded particles of the propellant with an aqueous leach solution containing a low concentration of surface active agent while stirring the suspension.