Abstract: A method of thermally disposing a binder containing explosive that reduces the possibility of an unplanned detonation and also allows for the control of pollution. It is particularly adapted for solid rocket propellants. The method comprises cooling a binder containing explosive to a temperature below the Tg range of the binder, reducing the cooled explosive to a smaller size and burning the resultant explosive. Another aspect of this invention is directed to a method for reclaiming ammonium perchlorate from an explosive comprising ammonium perchlorate and a binder that reduces the possibility of an unplanned detonation. It is particularly adapted for solid rocket propellants. The method comprises cooling the explosive to a temperature below the Tg range of the binder, reducing the cooled explosive to a smaller size and chemically extracting the ammonium perchlorate.

Abstract: Waste solid energetic compositions such as waste solid rocket propellant are desensitized for purposes of disposal and burning by being combined with a diluent and a filler which lower the sensitivity, energy output and flame temperature of the compositions and improve their ability to burn in a controlled manner by increasing the burn time. The diluent is an oil with a viscosity of at least about 600 centipoise, and the filler is any of a variety of solid organic material, preferably agricultural waste or wood flour.

Abstract: A process for destruction of hazardous materials in a medium of supercritical water without the addition of an oxidant material. The harzardous material is converted to simple compounds which are relatively benign or easily treatable to yield materials which can be discharged into the environment. Treatment agents may be added to the reactants in order to bind certain materials, such as chlorine, in the form of salts or to otherwise facilitate the destruction reactions.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating aqueous waste or groundwater contaminated with nitro-containing organic chemicals to degrade the compound sufficiently to permit disposal of the waste or groundwater.

Abstract: A process for effecting thermal decomposition of explosive nitric acid esters in wastewater effluents of the explosives industry wherein no additional by-products are produced and wherein the danger of explosions is avoided. In this process, the dissolved esters are exposed to a temperature of between 150.degree. and 300.degree. C. under pressure lying above the boiling pressure of the wastewater. During this step, the nitric acid esters are completely decomposed, and the wastewater treated in this way can then be passed on to further processing and purification. In a preferred embodiment, the hot wastewater exiting from a decomposer unit is exploited for preheating the effluent before it enters the decomposer unit.

Abstract: A method of safely detoxifying mustard gases comprises reacting the gases a first reaction with incandescent pyrophoric metallic powder compounded in specific formulation. A second reaction enhances the neutralization of the toxicity of the mustard gases by thermal pyrolysis or deflagration. To accomplish the basic reaction which results in formation of thiacyclopentane, aluminum powder which is a preferred incandescent, pyrophoric metallic powder, is compounded in a basic formulation of aluminum powder, a binder, a curing agent, oxidizing agent, and burn rate catalyst. Examples of detoxification formulation which accomplishes the first reaction as well as a second reaction which enhances the neutralization of the toxicity of the mustard gases or toxic chemical agents by thermal pyrolysis or deflagration are shown under Table II and Table III.

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.

Abstract: Solid composite propellants for rocket motors normally consist of an oxidizer and and aluminum powder cured in a polymeric binder system. The oxidizer, ammonium perchlorate, can be readily removed by suitable solvents leaving a residue consisting primarily of aluminum and polymer. The aluminum and polymer are separated by a process that is based upon the differential oxidation of the polymer leaving the aluminum in its original powder form. Aluminum metal forms, on exposure to air, an extremely tough inert aluminum oxide coating. Because of this, aluminum is extremely resistant to further oxidation even at temperatures up to its melting point at 660.degree. C. Most organic compounds, including polymers, are oxidized to carbon dioxide at much lower temperatures (400.degree.-600.degree. C.). Due to this difference in reactivity, it is possible to remove the polymer from the aluminum as carbon dioxide leaving the aluminum residue.

Abstract: A process for the management of by-product tetranitromethane (TNM) which avoids the hazards of the prior art isolation or extraction procedures. A selected in-plant liquid or vapor stream, or a reactor off-gas stream from nitration or nitric acid oxidation plant, which contains TNM, is heated to effectively pyrolyze the TNM without undue losses of nitric acid values.

Abstract: A method for destroying organic explosives, such as RDX and HMX, by hydroolysis comprises contacting liquors containing waste explosive, produced in the manufacture and processing of the explosives, with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, such as nickel-on-kieselguhr, for a sufficient period to destroy the explosives. The method is simple and economic and destroys the explosives, which are considered to be toxic, hazardous and non-biodegradable in soil and hence are not amenable to landfill or discharge into rivers etc., thereby eliminating or reducing the attendant pollution problems to acceptable levels.

Abstract: Processes for reclaiming nitramines from propellants by dissolution of the rosslinked propellant binder by heating the propellant with either (1) a mixture of 2-aminoethanol, an aromatic solvent, and optionally a second low molecular weight alcohol, or (2) a mixture of a mineral acid (HCl, H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, and H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, but not HNO.sub.3), a organic solvent which is acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures thereof, and water.

Abstract: A reagent composition which is chemically inert when solid and is chemica reactive when molten comprises a first substance selected from high molecular weight waxes and polymers and a second substance dissolved, dispersed, or encapsulated in the first substance. The second substance is highly chemically reactive and is selected from strong bases and strong acids. The composition is particularly adapted for use in safety devices automatically activated in response to an increase in the temperature of a chemical system and in processes for automatically discontinuing the operation of or decontaminating the products of a malfunctioning chemical system.