Publications

Characterization of Scrap Materials for Mass Detonating Energetic Materials - Final Report, Project CU1194

Phelan, James M.; Barnett, James B.

Military test and training ranges generate scrap materials from targets and ordnance debris. These materials are routinely removed from the range for recycling; however, energetic material residues in this range scrap has presented a significant safety hazard to operations personnel and damaged recycling equipment. The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) sought proof of concept evaluations for monitoring technologies to identify energetic residues among range scrap. Sandia National Laboratories teamed with Nomadics, Inc. to evaluate the Nomadics FIDO vapor sensor for application to this problem. Laboratory tests were completed that determined the vapor-sensing threshold to be 10 to 20 ppt for TNT and 150 to 200 ppt for DNT. Field tests with the FIDO demonstrated the proof of concept that energetic material residues can be identified with vapor sensing in enclosed scrap bins. Items such as low order detonation debris, demolition block granules, and unused 81-mm mortars were detected quickly and with minimum effort. Conceptual designs for field-screening scrap for energetic material residues include handheld vapor sensing systems, batch scrap sensing systems, continuous conveyor sensing systems and a hot gas decontamination verification system.