Elimination of Perchlorate Oxidizers from Pyrotechnic Flare Compositions

Abstract

Owing to the hea lth threat of perchlorate contamination of groundwater, we have re-formulated pyrotechnic compositions used in spectrally balanced decoy flares, as well as in red, green, and yellow signal flares so as to remove the perchlorate ingredient while still maintaining performance characteristics that meet or exceed those of the in-service devices. The perchlorate-free decoy flare composition chosen for scale-up was successful in match ing the spectral ratio and infrared emission intensity of the older of two types of spectrally balanced flares. Chern ical equilibrium computations have shown that it should also be possible to formulate a successful organic-fueled, perchlorate-free substitute for the newer of the two types of flares. We have also conducted extensive laboratory and prototype scale testing of perchlorate-free red flare compositions. Prototype scale test<; revealed a degradative aging problem with the hygroscOj)ic calcium nitrate ingredient. We then selected a slightly modified red composition that we are performance and ignition sensitivity testing, prior to proceeding with fonnulation qualification, final type qualjfication

Pd/C: An Efficient, Heterogeneous and Reusable Catalyst for Phosphane‐Free Carbonylative Suzuki Coupling Reactions of Aryl and Heteroaryl Iodides

“…Because of these attendant public health risks, both KClO 4 and Ba(NO 3 ) 2 have been targeted for elimination from many pyrotechnic formulations. To date, the perchlorate‐free formulations developed include red,4 green,5 and yellow6 signal flares, flash bang grenades, and a host of training simulators 7. In an effort to “green” pyrotechnics further, barium‐free formulations for green‐light emission were recently disclosed,8 and work continues in this area to scale‐up this environmentally friendly technology to manufacturing standards.…”

Periodates as Potential Replacements for Perchlorates in Pyrotechnic Compositions

“…As ar esult of the compromise in mission readiness that may occurb ecause of training disruptions, the U.S. Department of Defense has soughtt oe liminate KClO 4 from pyrotechnic devices. Efforts to remove KClO 4 from flash-bang grenades [9],g round burst simulators and warhead simulators [10],a nd naval signaling flares [11,12] have involved reformulation of the pyrotechnic compositions with nitrate oxidizers. Another approach entailed the use of high-nitrogen-content compounds (tetrazoles and related molecules) as high-energyg as generators in perchlorate-free illuminant compositions [13][14][15].H owever,b oth of these approaches have problems.…”

Advances Toward the Development of “Green” Pyrotechnics

“…The removal of antimony from pyrotechnics is also important due to its supposed environmental and human health hazards [66]. Despite an extensive amount of research performed by the Navy, the development of a perchlorate-free, spectrally matched decoy flare remains an elusive target worthy of further investigation [26]. Passed in 2007, the European Union regulation known as Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is believed to be the strictest law to date regulating chemicals.…”

“…At the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) CRANE division, Shortridge and coworkers developed perchlorate-free illuminants exceeding the military requirements of the Navy's red-, green-, and yellow-light emitting signaling flare illuminants [23][24][25][26]. Table 4.6 summarizes the formulations of the in-service Navy flares and their best performing perchlorate-free counterparts.…”