Explosive Incineration

Abstract

The current method of disposing of scrap and waste explosives and propellants, at all the Government installations and manufacturing and loading plants, is by the “open burning” technique; whereby the wastes are manually spread on a concrete pad, ignited by some device, and allowed to burn in the air. This results in air and water pollution, an uncontrolled burning operation, delays and inefficiency of disposition due to weather, and hazardous exposure of perscnnel. Most states in the United States now have regulations barring open-burning, and these plants are operating under temporary waivers from the Federal Government although the obligation to comply with state standards is an announced Federal Government objective. This problem, coupled with the Presidential Executive Order 11507 that directs the Federal Government of the United States to take the lead “...in the nationwide effort to protect and enhance the quality of our environment”, makes it mandatory that the government acquire the necessary technology to be able to incinerate explosives and propellants with minimal pollution and in a safe manner.