STEAMOUT OF EXPLOSIVE FILLERS

TM 9-1300-277

e. Loaded filter batts and unreclaimable dregs

c. The drained water goes through a hydrosieve

from the explosives settling tanks are disposed of by

and a clarifier, then to a clearwell for recycle back to the

Burning, either on a burning ground or in a suitable

pump. The ejected, granular , explosive/water slurry is

incinerator.

collected in a fume and poured into lined boxes. It is

sold drained but wet (about 15% water) without further

processing for commercial purposes. The empty cases

f. The APF 1300 Washout System has been

are than flashed or burned out to remove residual

designed for explosive fills of TNT, Comp B (TNT-BDX),

explosive or propellant. It is recommended that all

and Tritonal (TNT-A1). TNT, Comp B, and Tritonal

reclaimed or scrap material be inspected for

have been successfully pelletized.

explosives/contamination prior to reuse or transfer to the

Defense Property Disposal Officer or to Inert Storage

g. Most of the APE 1300 Washout plants are in

Area. Certification or scrap metal should be made in

layaway for lack of workload. The older ones are being

accordance with DOD 4160.21-M-1.

modernized by the addition of such refinements as W-

bottom tanks to handle Comp E, twin settling tank

d. Another hogout facility is operated at NOS

eductors and water-flushed. pump seals. Plants are

Indian Head at ∼ 5000 psi for the removal of propellant

expected to be equipped eventually with carbon column

from rocket and missile motors.

final water filters prior to being placed in operation.

6-6. STEAMOUT OF EXPLOSIVE FILLERS

h. The APE 1300 System is described in detail in

an Army Technical Manual, "Operation and

a. Steamout is an alternate method of removing

Maintenance-Ammunition Explosives Washout and

explosive fillers. Steamout is similar to hot water

Reclamation System -APE 1300 Revision No. 2, 1

washout in that both processes essentially melt out: TNT

February 1974." Air pollution is discussed in Ch. III.

fillers from large-caliber projectiles, bombs, and other

munitions.

There are two important differences:

6-5.

HIGH

PRESSURE

WASHOUT

AND

Steamout is pretty well limited to TNT-only fillers since it

RECLAMATION SYSTEM

lacks the erosive action of the pressurized jetting tot

water. There is less water to dispose of from steamout

a. High pressure washout may be used on large

than washout.

projectiles, bombs, and rocket motors. High pressure

washout- also called hogout - is not widely used. There

b. The steamout process at. Crane AAA handles

are at least two operational facilities and there are

large items such as 250 to 1000 pound bombs, mines,

others either in layaway or under reconstruction. This

depth charges torpedo warheads, and smaller items

technique has been applied more to the removal of

such as 5-inch and 120mm shells. The large items are

propellant from large rocket motors than to the removal

placed on an inclined cradle, and 5 to 15 psi steam is

of explosive fills from projectiles. The most illustrative

jetted, in to melt out the fill. Two lances are used, the

example was at Crane AAA for the removal of HE from

first with an axial jet and a second with side jets. The

3-inch to 6-inch projectiles.

molten slurry is collected in a jacketed pipe header with

rubber connectors, flows to an agitated kettle, and

b. In the Crane process, a defused 5-inch (for

thence to corrugated cooling pans. The pans are held in

example) projectile is clamped into an approximately

a vented and heated hood until the water is all

horizontal cradle, and a water lance penetrates into the

evaporated, and are then cooled to allow, the explosive

cavil.> as the fill is washed out by a 9000 psi axial water

to solidify. The solidified explosive is broken into

jet. Afterwards, the partially washed-out projectile its

chunks, then boxed and shipped out. The empty metal

moved to a second station, identical to the first, except

case is steamed again on a vertical cradle to remove

that the lance has to lateral jets instead of an axial jet;

any remaining explosive as, well as the asphalt liner, if

this washes out the fill adhering to the sides of the

there is one. The sludge from this final steaming is

projectile, At both stations, the projectile is rotated

burned. It is recommended that all reclaimed or scrap

during washing.

material be inspected for explosives/

Change 2

6-6