Continuous Synthesis of High-Value Critical Defense Materials with Continuous Acoustic Reactor System

Resodyn Corporation proposes to develop Continuous Acoustic Chemical Reactor (CACR) Technology for the synthesis of energetic and energetic precursor materials of critical need by the DOD. CACR is built on the ResonantAcoustic® Mixing (RAM), which is of particular interest for reactions which are mixing, or heat-transfer limited. CACR is capable of handling multiphase reactions with ease. Previous work has demonstrated successful application of continuous mixing, reactive and crystallization processes. This includes demonstration of continuous synthesis of 2,6-diaminopyrazine-1-oxide (DAPO), a precursor to the energetic compound LLM-105. In Phase I of the project, a flexible bench-scale CACR Process will be designed and constructed. The bench-scale CACR process will be utilized in the demonstration of continuous synthesis of Strontium Nitrate. With simple modifications, the bench-scale process can be adapted for synthesis of other nitrates (e.g., lead nitrate, potassium nitrate), explosives (e.g., TNT and RDX) or energetic precursors (e.g., hexamine and DAPO). Resodyn will supply DLA with three lots of material which meet the relevant Mil Spec. A pilot-scale flexible CACR process will be specified, including identification of North American feedstock materials. A preliminary economic review will also be carried out evaluating cost of CACR-based production to currently available products.