Static Detonation Chamber D541 Propellant Testing and Results

Transcription

1 Static Detonation Chamber D541 Propellant Testing and Results May 2016 Presented to: The 19 th Annual International Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference Presented by: Leslie Ware Anniston Deputy Site Project Manager APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

2 Static Detonation Chamber Cut Away Double Walled/Air Space Insulation Electrical Heat Elements 70 mm 2.75 in Scrap Bed 100 mm 3.94 in 2

3 Static Detonation Chamber 3

4 Objective Perform Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) Testing Using D541 Propellant Support Permitting Actions to Increase Net Explosive Weight Limits: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act/Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board Provide Operational Data for the SDC and Off-Gas Treatment (OGT) Unit Prior to Processing the Propellant from 105mm Projectiles in the Pueblo Chemical Depot Stockpile Provide Operational Data for the SDC and OGT Prior to More Extensive Testing of the M67 Rocket Motors that are Utilized in the M55 Rockets 4

5 D541 Propellant Testing The D541 Propellant is the Same Propellant as the Propellant Packaged with the 105mm Projectile Rounds Stored in the Pueblo Chemical Depot Stockpile The Reconfigured, Uncontaminated Propellant Charges from the PCAPP Stockpile will be Sent to the Anniston Static Detonation Chamber for Processing 5

6 D541 Propellant Testing Summary of Compounds in D541 Propellant Compound Nomenclature % of Calculated Weight Nitrocellulose 81.9% Dinitrotoluene 9.4% Dibutylphthalate 4.7% Rayon 1.0% Diphenylamine 1.0% Potassium Sulfate 0.9% Potassium Nitrate 0.5% Acrylic Fiber 0.4% Cotton 0.1% Silk 0.1% 6

7 D541 Propellant Testing The D541 Propellant Processing Provides Data Useful in Supporting a Determination of Potential Rocket Motor Processing Capabilities for the Static Detonation Chamber 7

8 Current Regulator Status Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit Limit <6.7 Pounds of Net Explosive Weight (NEW) Per Feed Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board <5.29 Pounds NEW Per Feed for Class 1.1 Explosives Dynasafe s Position - The Static Detonation Chamber is Capable of Safely Processing Higher NEW Propellant Material 8

9 D541 Propellant Processing The D541 Charge is Made up of Seven Bags of Varying Sizes Containing M1 Pellets Feeds of up to 23 Pounds were Configured Without Opening the Cloth Bags D541 Charge M1 Pellets Inside Each Cloth Bag 9

10 D541 Propellant Increments in Feed Tray 10

11 Recommended Test Criteria Model Based Detonation Chamber 260 Pounds Per Square Inch Gauge (psig) Buffer Tank 87 psig Loading Chamber psig 11

12 D541 Propellant Test Run at Increased NEW Process D541 M1 Propellant Gradually Increasing Net Explosive Weight (NEW) up to Approximately 23 Pounds - 80% of 23 Pounds > NEW of an M67 Rocket Motor (18.13 Pounds NEW) - Ramp-up Began 27 Aug 15 Approximate 1 Pound Increments from 7.30 Pounds to Pounds - Maximum Feed Events of Pounds Conducted on 22 and 23 Oct 15 and on 24 Nov 15 12

13 Table of Results D541 Propellant 13

14 Table of Results D541 Propellant (Continued) 14

15 Process Adjustments Adjustment of Combustion Air to the Static Detonation Chamber Change in Orifice Size Between Buffer Tank and Thermal Oxidizer Feed Timers/Time Between Feeds Lowered DC Temperature Prior to Feed Inspected DC Seals/Welds Following DC Pressures >260 psig No Evidence of Damage or Breach Number of Propellant Pieces and Type of Propellant May Affect Processing 15

16 Conclusions The D541 Propellant Testing Proved that >23 Pounds Net Explosive Weight (NEW) Can be Fed to the Static Detonation Chamber Ensured Confidence in all Stakeholders to Proceed with the Rocket Motor Testing Acquired Data Needed to Request Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board Approval for Increased NEW Acquired Data Needed to Request Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit Regulatory Officials (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) Approval for Increased NEW 16

17 Questions? CONNECT WITH PEO ACWA ACWA Facebook Page ACWA Twitter Page ACWA Instagram ACWA Flickr Photostream ACWA YouTube Channel 17