Nontoxic Obscurant Compositions and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A composition of matter capable of producing a nontoxic smoke upon combustion comprising a smoke formulation. The composition of matter further comprises an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate and sodium chlorate. The smoke formulation further comprises a fuel.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided by the terms of “Replacement of Red Phosphorus in Smoke Producing Munitions” US Marine Corps Phase I SBIR Contract # M67854-07-C-6521.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to compositions that produce an obscurant cloud upon combustion and a method of making obscurant devices based on said composition.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Obscurants are compounds that are capable of blocking, scattering, and / or absorbing light and are often leveraged in military operations. Obscurants can aid with friendly operations by, for example, providing cover for troop movement, concealing the location and size of friendly forces, concealing valuable facilities from enemy forces, and marking targets. Obscurants can also obstruct and disrupt enemy operation...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Obscurants can also obstruct and disrupt enemy operations by, for example, interfering with enemy communications and coordination.

Naturally occurring obscurants, such as fog, snow, or rain are unpredictable, and in many geographic locations, infrequent.

These obscurants exhibit a number of undesirable properties, including high toxicity, poor shelf life, and high burn temperatures.

White phosphorous, however, is pyrophoric at relatively low temperatures.

It will ignite in air at about 30° C., making it hazardous to handle, store, and transport.

Over time red phosphorous slowly degrades to highly toxic phosphine gas, a pyrophoric gas that can self ignite when mixed with air.

First, because they burn at high temperatures (>500° C.) and have a high flame front, they pose the risk of burning nearby personnel or noncombatants, damaging nearby buildings or equipment, and igniting secondary fires.

Second, the resulting obscurant cloud is composed of acidic water vapor, which is a respiratory irritant.

Inhalation of this vapor can pose a health threat to nearby personnel and civilians.

The zinc chloride in the resulting cloud is lethal if inhaled, capable of causing gross pathological pulmonary injuries and death due to pulmonary edema.

However, terephthalic acid-based obscurants have limited obscuring properties as compared to WP, RP, or HC.

Packing densities, however, are difficult to control in practice and generally result in inconsistent results.

Moreover, obscurant devices with varying rates of smoke production (i.e., a initial high production rate followed by a slower sustaining rate) are likewise difficult to produce with any reliability by varying packing densities.

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