A. J. Busby
QinetiQ, MoD Fort Halstead, UK
P. Q. Flower
QinetiQ, MoD Fort Halstead, UK
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Published in: The Swedish Section for Detonics and Combustion; Fourth International Disposal Conference
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 18:27, p.
Published: 2007-03-13
ISBN:
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
The recycling of explosives is currently of interest to researchers as it offers potential economic and environmental benefits. If the recovered material is to be reused; its chemical and hazard properties must be fully understood. To this end; RDX was successfully separated from an RDX/TNT/wax composition; which had been recovered from a bar mine. Two different methods of separation were employed: a conventional Soxhlet-type solvent extraction using a chlorinated organic solvent to effect the separation; and an extraction using supercritical CO2 as a “green” solvent. The resulting RDX was analysed using both tests specified in DEFSTAN 07-23/1 and other; more modern analytical techniques. Small-scale EMTAP hazard tests were also performed. Conclusions are drawn; both concerning the relevance of the DEFSTAN and of possible concerns to be addressed when contemplating reuse of recovered explosives.
