Laboratory and field tests on the hydro-jet washing out of TNT from artillery shells

Abstract

The article discusses issues associated with removing explosive from artillery shells, with particular focus on hydrofluidic washing out technology. A multi-well hydraulic test site and highpressure work equipment, as well as testing methodology used in field tests, which allow washing out of explosive materials from such ordnance using a high-pressure water jet, are presented. The studies on the hydro-jet process of washing out trinitrotoluene (TNT) were carried out on high-explosive (HE) shells with calibres of 85, 100, 122 and 125 mm. As a result of the tests, the variability of the TNT washing out mechanism, dependent on hydro- and thermodynamic conditions of this process, which in turn are dependent mainly on the pressure of the water jet, was proven. Comparison of the results of these experiments with the results of previous studies on the washing out of a substitute material which duplicated the mechanical properties, resulted in the determination of an appropriate factor correcting the potential effectiveness of such a process, which allows conducting safe simulation tests under laboratory conditions. In turn, evaluation of the morphology and geometrical structure of washed out TNT, as well as its thermal stability and detonation velocity made it possible to suggest possible applications of the washed out explosive material, especially as a component of mining explosive materials.