Improving post-detonation energetics residues estimations for the Life Cycle Environmental Assessment process for munitions

Bigl

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

et al. 2018

Testing of munitions for environmental impact is required in many countries as part of the life cycle assessment process. Although the post‐detonation mass and composition of metallic species are known, energetics residues from the detonation process are difficult to estimate. Past methods using detonation chamber testing and modeling have been shown to be problematic, especially with newer generation energetic materials. This paper describes a method of field‐testing munitions using command detonation systems for static rounds that simulate live‐fire high order detonations. Research demonstrates that results from command detonated high explosive rounds are similar to residues from rounds fired onto an ice‐covered impact area. The ability to substitute command detonations for live fire will enable the assessment of the environmental impact new munitions will have on training ranges prior to full development and certification. Data may also be used to assess detonation efficiencies for explosive formulations as well as for energetic components in those formulations.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Simulation of Live‐Fire Detonations using Command‐Detonation Fuzing

Bigl

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

et al. 2018

“…The postsample sweep samples and quality control provide quantitative estimates of the unrecovered particle mass during sampling. Further, loss of ultrafine particles (M. R. Walsh, Gullett, et al 2018) and altered particle trajectory by wind are also possible, despite efforts to sample during no-or low-wind periods. Flooding the sample site repeatedly with water was effective at creating a relatively smooth ice surface, although imperfections were still present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of residual low-order detonation particle characteristics from IMX-104 mortar rounds

Bigl¹,

Beal²,

Ramsey³

2021

Self Cite

The environmental fate and transport of energetic compounds on military training ranges are largely controlled by the particle characteristics of low-order detonations. This study demonstrated a method of command detonation, field sampling, laboratory processing, and analysis techniques for characterizing low-order detonation particles from 60 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds containing the insensitive munition formulation IMX-104. Particles deposited from three rounds of each caliber were comprehensively sampled and characterized for particle size, energetic purity, and morphology. The 60 mm rounds were command-detonated low order consistently (seven low-order detonations of seven tested rounds), with con-sumption efficiencies of 62%–80% (n = 3). The 81 mm rounds detonated low order inconsistently (three low-order detonations of ten tested rounds), possibly because the rounds were sourced from manufacturing test runs. These rounds had lower consumption efficiencies of 39%–64% (n = 3). Particle-size distributions showed significant variability between munition calibers, between rounds of the same caliber, and with distance from the detonation point. The study reviewed command-detonation configurations, particle transfer losses during sampling and particle-size analysis, and variations in the energetic purity of recovered particles. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful characterization of IMX-104 low-order detonation particles from command detonation to analysis.

“…Data beyond the whiskers are marked as outlying points. Walsh et al 2015; M. R. ; M. R. Walsh, Gullet, et al 2018). Boxes represent the median and IQR, and whiskers represent no more than 1.5 times the IQR above and below the hinges.…”

Section: Figures and Tablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Live-fire validation of command-detonation residues testing using an 81 mm IMX-104 munition

Beal¹,

Bigl²,

Ramsey³

2023

Postdetonation energetic residues can have environmental impacts that present a risk to military training-range sustainment. As munitions with new explosive formulations are developed and fielded, quantitative methods for assessing their residues are needed. Command detonation (i.e., static firing) allows residue testing to occur early in the acquisition process; however, its representation of live-fire residue production is uncertain due to differences in the initiation mechanism and cartridge orientation. This study aims to validate residue testing by command detonation through statistical comparison of residue deposition rates between live fire and command detonation. Live-fire residues were collected from fourteen 81 mm IMX-104 mortar cartridges fired onto snow, and deposition rates were compared with previous command-detonation tests of the same munition. Average live-fire deposition rates were 8000 mg NTO (3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one), 60 mg DNAN (2,4-dinitroanisole), 20 mg RDX (1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine), and 2 mg HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane) per cartridge. Compared to command detonation, live fire of the study munition produced significantly greater residues of NTO (p < 0.0001) and RDX (p = 0.01) but not DNAN (p = 0.067). Although absolute deposition rates of some IMX-104 compounds differed, command detonation was successful at predicting the order of magnitude of each IMX-104 compound for the studied 81 mm munition.