Large Rocket Motor Demilitarization Technology Review and Research and Development Funding Requirement for Fiscal Year 1991-1992

摘要

As the result of increasingly stringent environmental regulations and public pressures, alternative disposal technologies for large rocket motor demilitarization must be developed to replace open burning and detonation. The restriction or loss of open burning and detonation disposal options could have a severe effect on the ICRM life cycle, since wastes are generated and must be dealt with at every step, from manufacturing through final disposition of the system. There is a critical need, then, to develop and transition new disposal technologies to the user that includes provisions for dealing with both 1.1 and 1.3 sensitivity category propellants. This need is particularly relevant since missiles containing over 150,000,000 pounds of solid propellant may have to be disposed of over the next few years. This need is particularly relevant since missiles containing over 150,000,000 pounds of solid propellant may have to be disposed of over the next few years. In addition to waste disposal requirements at every stage of the ICBM life cycle, potential arms limitation treaties, if promulgated, will compound an already severe disposal problem. A mechanism must be established to identify maturing as well as emerging technologies and to provide sufficient resources and management emphasis to ensure promising technologies are developed within required time frames. Nineteen large rocket motor demilitarization technologies and processes were reviewed and evaluated to determine the extent of the technical maturity and feasibility, engineering scale-up capability, and funding required for research and development efforts.