Re: Demil'ed explosives in commercial explosives

[DudBuster]

Due to thread being locked here is my reply:

Re: thread413-100697

The utilization of demilitarized explosives for use in commercial explosives can, and is being done now. There are currently facilities that are recovering propellant from different missile systems as well as the HE main charge for conversion to civillian mining explosives. I dont pretend to know the technical aspects of the entire process, but the general breakdown goes something like this:

1. Explosives (low and high) are removed from delivery system through various means.
2. They are then ground or refined to predetermined size.
3. Mixed with various mixtures and other "gee-wiz" chemistry hooya stuff to create a "mining slurry".
4. Shipped to buyer for use.

I dont know if there are certain types of explosives that cannot be used, nor the selection criteria that is used for the explosives that can be used, though one would assume that there would be some sort of testing of potential candidates for viability and effectiveness. I do know for a fact though that this process is in place and has been running for about 3 years, maybe more.

 

[orenda1168]

Here is the thread (was not locked as far as I can see):

4 Aug 04 19:28
I need a bit of help. I'm starting a project at work trying to incorporate demil explosives/propellants into commercial explosives, eg ANFO, watergels, and emulsions. I need some info on where to look for demil explosives / propellants. Has anyone had any experience with this type of research... Any and all help is appreciated.

Thank brosey
for this valuable post!

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orenda1168 (Chemical) 6 Aug 04 1:15
Brosey:

Why would you or your superiors think that demiliterized explosives would be stable enough for recycling?? From my extensive EOD experience, you're playing with a very hot fire if you pursue this......you have no way of measuring or guaranteeing stability/useability of recovered military explosives.
Orenda

In my opinion, recycling military explosives is plainly NUTS!!! This stuff degrades with time, like it or not, and in spite of most of the military explosive formulations being very stable (of necessity) when manufactured, they become measurably less so with age. What is the point of risking life and limb trying to recycle potentially, possibly, most likely unstable stuff like this? EOD is risky enough....why compound the risk with this kind of activity?

Orenda

 

[DudBuster]

Like I said, I do not know the selection criteria for potential explosive compounds, systems, or anything like that.... I am not a chemist. I am just a former Tech that sees this stuff happen every day. I understand where you are coming from with the degradation of the explosives. My guess would be that the shelf life of the delivery system is shorter than that of the compounds themselves... who knows, way above my paygrade or level of expertise. The dissassembly of the delivery system into its major components is pretty much hands on, but removal of the charges themselves are done remotely, to ensure maximum safety.

 

[IRstuff]

Possibly, but old electronics are not going to random explode and kill someone.

TTFN