Safe Separation of Aluminum Tote Bins Containing Composition A-7.

摘要

In the Composition B production line at Holston Army Ammunition Plant, stainless steel tote bins are used to convey Composition A-7. ARRADCOM found, through a series of test firings, that 39.6-m was not a safe separation distance for stainless steel tote bins contained in a steel framed tunnel structure lined with Fiberglas. A series of full scale tests was conducted to determine the minimum safe separation distance between tote bins. It was determined that: (1) The source of detonation and propagation to an acceptor bin is caused by the primary tote bin fragments and not the secondary conveyor fragments; and (2) Kevlar shielding can be eliminated if a brittle material such as 7075-T6 aluminum alloy is used for the tote bins. Since the tunnel housing the conveyor line focuses the blast and fragments if a detonation occurs, the tunnel should be of the lightest construction possible. A steel frame, transite-covered tunnel was shown to be adequate for weather protection and nondetrimental to the focusing of lightweight aluminum fragments. A 39.6-m separation between tote bins on the conveyor line is adequate when the tote bins are constructed of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy.