Elimination of Toxic Materials and Solvents from Solid Propellant Compositions

摘要

The purpose of this report is to document the objective, technical approach and accomplishments of the subject project, commonly referred to as the Green Missile Program. Solid propellants found in DoD missile systems contain ingredients that are considered hazardous. Specifically, lead is utilized as a ballistic catalyst in minimum smoke systems. Exhaust products are also hazardous. The lead used in minimum smoke propellants is also contained in the missile exhaust products. Additionally, composite propellants contain ammonium perchlorate (AP), which upon combustion produces HCl which is a toxic substance. Chloride ions coming off the HCL molecule in the upper atmosphere can react with and destroy ozone. Lastly, regulated and hazardous solvents are usually used to process propellants. This poses both a health risk and emission/disposal problems. Alternatives to both lead and AP are required to ensure solid rocket motor propellants are less hazardous during propellant processing and combustion, and solventless processing techniques are required to minimize associated health hazards and emissions. The overall goal of the 'Green Missile' program is the elimination of major sources of toxic/hazardous materials used in solid rocket propulsion systems.