Demil Processes
Nammo has developed and use different environmentally friendly demilitarization technologies. In the following are some examples.
SAFE DISASSEMBLY
All disassembly involving a risk is always performed with safety first in mind. The operation is performed in a safety cell that is built to protect persons outside. In our factories we have several safety cells with the capacity to handle ammunition that contains up to 50 kg explosives each. The ammunition is placed in the sledge or fixture before it is automatically transported into the safety cells. The safety cell is closed and the disassembly starts. The safety cell will not open until the process (typically defusing and separation of warhead from case/propulsion unit) is complete. The process is normally video monitored by the operator. |
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EXPLOSIVES RECOVERY
The process of recovery of explosives differs depending on the type of explosive filling and the size of the object. We can recover almost every type of filling using different technologies to include melt out under water, hot air ovens, high pressure water, drilling or steam. Normally an average value of 90-95% of all explosives are recovered and reused in civilian production. |
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THERMAL DISPOSAL PLANT
FOR EXPLOSIVES OF ALL CATEGORIES
The thermal treatment plant is used for the environmentally friendly disposal of all categories of explosives. In addition to this the plant can be used for disposal of a wide range of harmful industrial substances. The plant consist of the following main modules:
1. Rotary kiln
2. Gas cleaning system with high-temperature after-burning chamber and gas washing system
3. Automatic control system
The plant is working without waste water and in full compliance with the strict German emission-control laws and EU regulations. |
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HIGH SPEED DISASSEMBLY
For high volume objects we purposely built the machinery in-house. This is specifically done for the ammunition calibers up to 40mm and for mines. As far as possible, the machinery automatically disassembles and separates different components including the explosives. If required, there can also be a bulit in safety chamber (Safety Cell) for the disassembly of the explosive parts and for the safety of the operators. |
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ROCKET MOTOR WASH OUT
Over the years a substantial amount of eastern and western produced missiles and rockets have been demiled in our facilities. For the propellant from motors that can not be reused we burn it in the thermal treatment plant. For this process we use a high pressure wash out to quickly and safely extract the propellant from the motor case and mix it with water. The water is sprayed into a thermal treatment plant and fully burned under controlled conditions which also fulfill all environmental conditions. |
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CONTROLLED UNDERGROUND DETONATIONS
Explosive components are demolished by detonation in chambers more than 900 meters underground. As the extremely solid rock is characteristic for this mine, the company has successfully destroyed large amounts of ammunition in the same demolition chambers, over the years. |
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One of the major success measurements is to ensure everything is demolished during the detonation. The limited space of the demolition chamber provides high temperature and pressure over a very long time period, and thereby ensures the complete disposal of the objects. This has been successfully demonstrated by the detonation of more than 100 000 rounds of ICM's (M483, M509 A1 with sub-munitions) without any misfires. Donor charges are always used as well as individual two-way initiation of each round. |