Abrégé

A method for processing of expired solid rocket propellant containing ammonium perchlorate, powdered aluminum, and a rubber-based binder for the purpose of recycling ammonium perchlorate, the method comprising: a) wet disintegration of solid propellant in a solution to produce a suspension of solid substances; b) leaching of the suspension of solid substances at an increased temperature in a leaching solution to produce an ammonium perchlorate solution, the leaching solution including at least one of water and unsaturated ammonium perchlorate and containing added inert material based on at least one of porous carbon, diatomaceous earth and a polymer; c) wherein the use of the inert material during the leaching process increases de-agglomeration and decreases re-agglomeration of solid substances of the suspension of solid substances; d) separation of the ammonium perchlorate solution from the suspension of solid substances, the separated ammonium perchlorate solution also containing at least some of the inert material; e) refining of the separated ammonium perchlorate solution from step d) at an increased temperature; f) separation of the at least some of the inert material from the separated ammonium perchlorate solution to produce recycled ammonium perchlorate; g) crystallization of the recycled ammonium perchlorate.

Classes IPC  ?

• C01B 11/18 - Perchlorates
• C06B 21/00 - Appareils ou méthodes pour la mise en œuvre des explosifs, p. ex. mise en forme, coupage, séchage
• C06B 29/22 - Compositions contenant un sel inorganique d'un composé d'halogène et d'oxygène, p. ex. chlorate, perchlorate le sel étant du perchlorate d'ammonium

Abrégé

The invention introduces a discontinuous crystallization unit for the production of ball- shaped crystals comprising a crystallizer (1) that consists of a metallic cylindrical vessel with its inner surface of a hard material, with an oval or circular cross-section with a conical or vaulted bottom (12), fitted along its length with a duplicator (4) for cooling of the solution and/or suspension of the solution and crystals and a high-speed agitator (8) of a hard material with a drive (9) enabling speed control and thus the rate of the impact of the mechanical action of the agitator on roundness of crystals inside the vessel together with the inner surface of the vessel containing at least 2 baffles (5) of a hard material while the vessel is fitted with at least 1 orifice (10) at the top that at least 1 independent branch of the circulation circuit (11) is connected to from the outside for the inlet of a heated solution and/or heated suspension of the solution and crystals by means of at least 1 circulation pump (2) and through at least 1 heat exchanger (3) and together with the duplicator (4) ensuring controlled periodic changes of temperatures of the crystal suspension around the cooling curve while an interconnection (13) pipeline is connected to the bottom (12) of the crystallizer (1) vessel that is connected to at least one branch of the circulation circuit (11).

Classes IPC  ?

• B01D 9/00 - Cristallisation
• C01B 11/18 - Perchlorates
• C06B 21/00 - Appareils ou méthodes pour la mise en œuvre des explosifs, p. ex. mise en forme, coupage, séchage
• C06B 29/00 - Compositions contenant un sel inorganique d'un composé d'halogène et d'oxygène, p. ex. chlorate, perchlorate

Abrégé

It is a method for processing of expired solid rocket propellant containing ammonium perchlorate, powdered aluminium, a rubber-based binder and remaining minority admixtures for the purpose of recycling ammonium perchlorate, comprising the following steps: a) wet mechanical-physical-chemical disintegration of the said solid propellant while a suspension of solid substances in a solution is produced; b) leaching of the stirred said suspension at an elevated temperature in water and/or unsaturated ammonium perchlorate solution containing added inert material based on porous carbon, diatomaceous earth and/or a polymer; c) de- agglomeration and prevention of re-agglomeration of solid substances in the suspension with the use of the said inert material during the leaching process; d) separation of the ammonium perchlorate solution from the solid substances; e) refining of the separated ammonium perchlorate solution from step d) with the said inert material, except the polymer-based material, at an elevated temperature; f) separation of the inert material from the ammonium perchlorate solution optionally followed by concentrating the solution; g) crystallization and optional re-crystallization of the recycled ammonium perchlorate.

Classes IPC  ?

• C01B 11/18 - Perchlorates
• C06B 21/00 - Appareils ou méthodes pour la mise en œuvre des explosifs, p. ex. mise en forme, coupage, séchage