Demil Processes

SAFE DISASSEMBLY
Disassemblies involving any risks are always performed with safety first as our primary principle. The operations are performed in safety cells built to protect operators and facilities 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. Each safety cell is closed and the disassembly starts. The safety cell will not open until the process (typically defusing and separation of a warhead from the case/ propulsion unit) is complete. All processes inside the safety cell are remotely monitored using CCTV by the operator.

EXPLOSIVES RECOVERY

The process of recovering explosives differs depending on the type of explosive filling and the size of the munitions. We can recover almost every type of filling using different technologies including melt out under water, hot air ovens, high pressure water wash-out, drilling or cutting. Normally an average value of 90-95% of all explosives are recovered and reused in civilian production.

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 consists of the following main modules:

- Rotary kiln
- Gas cleaning system with high-temperature after-   burning chamber
- Off-gas washing system   
- Automatic control system

The plant is working without waste water and in full compliance with the strict emission-control laws and EU regulations.

HIGH SPEED DISASSEMBLY

For high volume objects we design and build the machinery in-house. This is specifically done for the ammunition calibres up to 40mm, for cluster ammunition such as ICM 155mm and MLRS M26 and for mines. As far as possible the machinery automatically disassembles and separates different components including the explosives and operates within purpose built safety cells for the disassembly of the explosive parts and for the safety of the operators.

ROCKET MOTOR WASH OUT

Over the years a substantial amount of eastern and western produced missiles and rockets have been processed through demilitarisation 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 fulfil all environmental requirements.

CONTROLLED UNDERGROUND DETONATIONS

In extreme or safety critical cases or where it is not viable to develop bespoke process lines, explosive components or munitions are demolished by detonation in chambers more than 900 meters underground. The extremely solid rock is characteristic for this mine and the company has successfully destroyed large amounts of ammunition in the same demolition chambers over the years.
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 process has been successfully demonstrated by the detonation of more than 100 000 rounds of ICM (M483, M509 A1 with sub-munitions) and 16.000 MLRS M26 warheads without any misfires.