Microwave Removal/Conversion of High Explosives From Loaded Munitions

The U.S. Department of Defense currently has ever 3,000,000 short tone Of CONUS munitions that have been declared obsolete and are awaiting disposal. Current demilitarization techniques include open detonation and traditional washout methods or meltout. Open detonation includes uncontrolled air emissions, and is unpopular with the general public; traditional washout or meltout methods may require contact with the explosives, causing contamination and reducing the likelihood of recycle and reuse. Microwave meltout technology has the advantage of rapid removal of high explosive from munition items, with no contamination of the explosive, making it suitable for reuse or recovery. The developed technology for microwave removal of high explosives from loaded munitions is attractive to both the and government contractors because of potential for reduced cycle times, reduced energy requirements, reduced operating costs and equipment investment, and higher value end product. El Dorado Engineering employees pioneered the original investigations of microwave meltout of explosives for the Army, and conduced actual testing. Much of what was learned about the basic science of microwave heating of explosives will be directly applied to this project.