MOBILE DEFONT CHAMBER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the safe decommissioning of recovered explosive ordnance, ammunition, ammunition parts, and the like. Decommissioning encompasses the process from recovery through transport and comminution to destruction, for example, by incineration.

[0002] The world's oceans, particularly the North and Baltic Seas, contain large quantities of munitions in the broadest sense. Some of these are deliberately placed objects, such as sea mines, mooring mines, or dropped bombs. There are also unexploded ordnance used in combat operations but never detonated. Furthermore, very large quantities of munitions were dumped, particularly after the end of the war. The latter, in particular, includes munitions containing chemical warfare agents. These objects range in size from rifle and machine gun ammunition to mines, naval artillery shells, and even bombs. It is believed that at least 5 million suspected objects of such munitions exist in the North and Baltic Seas combined. In German territorial waters alone, it is currently estimated that there are around 1.6 million tonnes of conventional munitions.

[0003] Many of these objects have been lying in saline water for over 75 years. As a result, this ammunition is often in an undefined state of decomposition, particularly with regard to leak tightness, the chemical stability of the explosives contained, and transport safety. This leads to procedural difficulties in handling these objects, significantly complicating the disposal of these legacy waste.

[0004] Firstly, the munitions pose a significant threat. For example, chemical substances, including war gases, can leak out over time due to corrosion, posing a significant threat to the ecosystem. Likewise, ships can come into contact with the munitions and accidentally trigger them. For example, with anchor mines, there is a risk that the chain connecting the mine to the ground will be severed, transforming the mine into a floating mine and thus reaching supposedly safe areas, such as a shipping channel. Leaked white phosphorus that washes up on the beach regularly causes injuries. Therefore, it would be desirable to remove all objects.

[0005] On the other hand, the evacuation process is particularly critical, as it requires handling, moving, and dismantling the explosives. All of these actions carry an increased risk of explosives reacting. Therefore, it is advantageous to minimize the number of movements required.

[0006] If a suspected object is found, a visual inspection must be carried out to determine whether it is or can be made transportable. For example, unexploded bombs can be made transportable by removing the detonator. In Germany, the decision as to whether an object is transportable is a sovereign task that can be carried out, for example, by bomb disposal services on behalf of the state government. Objects that are safe for transport must then be transported for decommissioning. However, many objects are too large to be directly disposed of further, such as incineration, as the amount of explosive added to the incineration at the same time would be too high to safely control the process. These objects are therefore divided up, for example by cutting them up.

[0007] WO 2007 / 068020 A1 discloses a transportable system for defusing ammunition containing fluid warfare agents.

[0008] From DE 10 2018 119 339 A1 a method and a device for defusing an unexploded bomb lying underwater is known.

[0009] DE 39 13 479 C1 discloses a method and a system for dismantling toxic and / or explosive objects, in particular chemical weapons.

[0010] EP 1 128 875 A2 discloses a method and a device for containing and suppressing explosive detonations.

[0011] From FR2926224 A a floating decommissioning platform with lifting device, decommissioning chamber and destruction facility is known.

[0012] However, various technical problems with these existing approaches have not yet been resolved, so solutions must be found that can be reliably applied to the large number of objects to be cleared. It would therefore be desirable to minimize the transport distance of an object found underwater and to dismantle the object safely and with minimal movement. However, this poses the problem that it is considerably more difficult to implement appropriate structural measures, such as bunkers or earthworks, at sea, as the weight would far exceed that which a floating platform can bear. Furthermore, these measures are not transferable to the space conditions; for example, and in particular, safety distances cannot be sensibly chosen to be arbitrarily large.

[0013] This is also desirable because the transfer and landing of ammunition or ammunition components whose condition is not defined is already problematic or even impossible. Furthermore, ammunition located outside of sovereign territories, i.e., outside the territorial sea of ​​the 12-mile zone, may be difficult or impossible to transport ashore for legal reasons. The transfer of ammunition, and especially chemical weapons, from outside this area into the territory of a state can already be legally problematic or even impossible, for example, based on the Chemical Weapons Convention and national law.

[0014] Therefore, it is particularly important to consider the risk that the entire quantity of explosive will be detonated at once, especially at every critical process step. This risk is particularly prevalent at times when mechanical work is being carried out on the object. It must be considered that, especially in an offshore application, space and weight are not unlimited, and therefore, even in such a scenario, the protection of the remaining equipment, personnel, and especially the supporting platform must be ensured. Furthermore, it must of course be considered that shrapnel generated by an explosion poses a significant threat.

[0015] The object of the invention is to create a device which allows safe dismantling and in particular the comminution of objects at sea.

[0016] This object is achieved by the buoyant decommissioning platform having the features specified in claim 1 and by the method having the features specified in claim 12. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0017] The buoyant decommissioning platform according to the invention has a decommissioning chamber. The decommissioning chamber has an outer housing. The outer housing can be closed with a removable lid. The decommissioning chamber has an inner floor, wherein a first chamber region is formed below the inner floor by the inner floor and the outer housing. The first chamber region is preferably closed. The first chamber region is filled with a flowable or solid medium. For example, and preferably, the first chamber region is filled with concrete, sand, or water. The inner floor has a recess for receiving an explosive object. The explosive object (the ordnance) should be completely within the recess. As a result, in the event of an unintentional detonation, part of the pressure wave would be directed against the inner floor and thus against the filling of the first chamber region.This geometry is intended to at least partially redirect the pressure wave of the detonation towards the area of ​​least resistance, i.e. upwards. When closed, the lid is shock-resistant and connected to the outer casing. This ensures that the lid remains in place even in the event of a detonation. The lid features a pressure relief device, which includes at least one diversion for the detonation gases. The pressure relief device serves to specifically dissipate the gases and pressures generated during a detonation. Despite the high pressure, diversion of these gases is necessary to prevent shrapnel from escaping the decommissioning chamber and damaging other components or even injuring personnel.

[0018] A deflector, within the meaning of the invention, is any device that deflects a gas flow and thus prevents it from traveling in a straight line. The reason for this is that, for example, shrapnel moves in a straight line after a detonation and is not intended to escape through the pressure relief device. The pressure relief device can be designed, for example, in a spiral shape or as a labyrinth with right-angled deflections.

[0019] A removable lid, for example, can be lifted off, folded down, or slidable within the meaning of the invention. It is essential that the lid can be removed in such a way that an ordnance can be lifted into the decommissioning chamber from above. However, once closed, the lid must be firmly attached to the outer casing so that even in the event of an accidental detonation of the ordnance, the lid will not detach from the outer casing. This would result in the lid itself becoming a projectile. Due to the high mechanical demands placed on it when closed, a sliding lid is preferred. To do this, the lid is moved horizontally into a position next to the decommissioning chamber to open the decommissioning chamber.

[0020] A flowable medium includes not only liquids but also flowable solids, especially bulk materials. For example, sand or gravel are a flowable medium within the meaning of the invention. In the event of a shock, a flowable medium can deform while simultaneously allowing force transmission.

[0021] The outer casing and lid preferably provide at least protection against 20 mm "Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSP)" according to MIL-DTL-46593. The shrapnel weighs approximately 54 g, and shrapnel with a defined kinetic energy, for example, of at least 67 kJ, must be safely contained. This corresponds to protection class G9 according to NATO standard STANAG 2920. The protective effect can be influenced in both directions by adapting the design and the choice of materials, so that different chambers could be used depending on the size of the object. Thus, significantly higher protection classes would also be conceivable. This makes sense because the large quantity of ordnance is rather small, while the few large ordnances are comparatively problematic.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the recess has a receiving position for a pallet. Preferably, the receiving position ensures that the pallet, and any ordnance placed on the pallet, are located in a predefined position in the dismantling chamber, in particular in a defined position relative to a cutting device. In particular, the receiving position has guide elements to guide a pallet into a predefined position during insertion.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the inner base is a removable base container, whereby the first chamber region is formed by inserting the base container. Particularly preferably, the base container has a closable opening, preferably at a high point, for example, in a wall of the base container, in order to be able to pour a medium or a precursor forming the medium into the first chamber region. An example of a precursor forming the medium can be liquid, not yet hardened concrete or a monomer or oligomer which is polymerized in the first chamber region. In the case of a hardening precursor, the hardened medium itself can also close the opening.

[0024] In a further alternative embodiment, the inner floor and the first chamber area are formed by a chamber container. For example, the chamber container is a hollow body that can be filled with water or sand, for example, preferably after it has been inserted into the decommissioning chamber. For this purpose, the chamber container preferably has a closable opening, which is preferably located at a high point on the chamber container.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the lid is designed as a hollow body which can be filled with a flowable medium. The cavity in the lid can itself be designed to be leak-tight for the flowable medium, or the medium is introduced into the cavity in a container, for example a leak-tight bag. A lid designed as a hollow body particularly preferably has additional stiffeners between the top and bottom, for example in the form of annular stiffeners or diagonal stiffeners. In this embodiment, the pressure relief is arranged connecting the top and bottom of the lid to allow gas to pass through. A fire-retardant medium is particularly preferably used as the flowable medium here; in the simplest case, this is water.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has at least one separating device. The separating device is preferably a cutting device. More preferably, the cutting device is a water jet device. Alternatively, the cutting device is preferably a band saw. In a further embodiment, the delaboration chamber has two cutting devices, one designed as a water jet device and the other as a band saw. In the embodiment of a water jet device, the delaboration chamber has a water drain, wherein the water drain preferably runs through the inner floor, the first chamber region, and the outer housing. If the cutting device is a water jet device, the pressure pump for generating the water under high pressure is preferably arranged outside the delaboration chamber. The pressure pump is preferably arranged below the uppermost level of the inner floor.This provides particularly effective protection against pressure waves. A pressure pump can also supply two or more cutting devices in two or more decommissioning chambers with high-pressure water. The cutting device is particularly preferably remotely controllable and can be operated from a remote control device.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cutting device is connected to a gripping device. The cutting device and the gripping device are preferably arranged on a robot arm. The gripping device creates a force-locking connection to the ordnance, so that the forces generated when the cutting device separates the ordnance are dissipated directly into the ordnance, not through the robot arm. This is particularly preferred when cutting up large and heavy ordnance.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dismantling chamber has at least one first chamber lifting device. The chamber lifting device serves to lift ammunition fragments separated from a weapon from the recess.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, pressure relief is ensured by one or more outlet openings in the cover, whereby the outlet openings can preferably be designed as predetermined breaking points. The outlet openings can, for example, be circular. The predetermined breaking point fails at a defined gas pressure as a result of an unintentional detonation during decommissioning and releases a nozzle-shaped outlet. Various sheets are arranged in the nozzle-shaped outlet, which, in their function as guide plates, ensure the deflection and slowing of the resulting explosion gas. As a result, the resulting explosion gases escape upwards in a targeted manner, thus protecting the adjacent components of the decommissioning platform. The arrangement of the guide plates in the outlet also provides protection against the escape of shrapnel. In particular, the predetermined breaking point can be circular.Alternatively, the predetermined breaking point can be movably attached to the cover and prevented from moving by an overload protection device. The overload protection device is dimensioned such that it fails when pressure is applied before the entire cover gives way. This can, for example, be a hinged cover secured against rotation by a shear pin.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the inner floor has a flat storage area, wherein the storage area is arranged above the recess for receiving an explosive object (ordnance). This allows ammunition fragments to be stored in an area not directly affected by a detonation, increasing the chance that they will not be dislodged during the detonation, thus reducing overall damage.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber is connected to a gas purification system. If the munition contains a chemical warfare agent, there is a high probability that the agent will be released during fragmentation. It is therefore desirable to be able to remove the chemical warfare agent from the air of the decommissioning chamber before it is opened, which would otherwise result in the chemical warfare agents being released directly into the atmosphere. In the simplest case, the air is fed via a simple extraction system into a combustion chamber or directly into a flare and rendered harmless by combustion. Alternatively or additionally, filters, such as activated carbon filters, can be used.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief is combined with a gas purification system. This has the advantage that even in the event of an accidental detonation of a chemical warfare agent, there is no release and thus no danger to humans.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber comprises an X-ray device. In particular, the X-ray device serves to identify ordnance containing warfare agents that cannot or should not be processed in the decommissioning chamber and to prevent the fragmentation of these ordnance. For example, ordnance identified in this way may be incendiary bombs containing white phosphorus, which would begin to burn upon contact with air. Likewise, chemical warfare agents that cannot be safely destroyed by the systems can be identified. Here, too, it is advantageous to avoid fragmentation.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber has at least one sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents. For example, and in particular, the sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents is designed to detect a warfare agent from the group of NBC warfare agents. Should a release occur within the decommissioning chamber, which is detected by the sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents, the decommissioning chamber can preferably remain closed until decontamination. The sensor can preferably be arranged in the extraction system.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber has a lifting platform on which ammunition fragments can be placed directly or in containers, particularly in combustible boxes, especially cardboard boxes. After the lid is opened, the lifting platform can then pick up the ammunition fragments, for example, to the level of the lid, making them easier to remove. For example, the lifting platform can be connected to a conveyor system, such as a roller conveyor system, to transport the ammunition fragments further.

[0036] If the first chamber region is filled with a solid medium, for example concrete, the first chamber region and the outer housing can also form a unit in a further embodiment of the invention, for example by pouring liquid concrete into the outer housing and bonding it to the outer housing when it hardens.

[0037] The invention relates to a buoyant decommissioning platform. A buoyant platform within the meaning of the invention can be, for example, a ship, a pontoon, a barge, a raft, a semi-submersible platform, or a jack-up platform.

[0038] The buoyant decommissioning platform comprises at least one first lifting device, at least one first decommissioning chamber according to the invention and at least one first destruction facility, for example and preferably an incineration device.

[0039] The major advantage of such a buoyant decommissioning platform is, firstly, that the number of transports of a weapon before its final destruction is minimized, thus reducing the risk of accidental detonation. Secondly, it is also possible to destroy objects whose chemical composition is not fully known. Otherwise, each object would have to be extensively sampled before transport to ensure transport safety. Furthermore, objects, such as chemical warfare agents, found outside the 12-mile zone can be destroyed without having to be imported into a country.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant decommissioning platform has at least a first platform area and a second platform area. The at least one first decommissioning chamber is arranged in the first platform area, and the at least one destruction unit, preferably the first incineration device, is arranged in the second platform area.

[0041] At least one first protective element is arranged between the first platform area and the second platform area, wherein the at least one first protective element has a surface. The surface of the protective element has an angle of 120° to 150° to the surface of the first platform area and an angle of 30° to 60° to the surface of the second platform area. This would deflect a pressure wave emanating from a detonation in a decommissioning chamber upward, thus protecting the combustion device located behind it.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant decommissioning platform comprises a transport device for transporting ammunition fragments from the at least one first decommissioning chamber to the at least one first combustion device. The transport device can be, for example, a conveyor belt, conveyor rail, or other continuous transport system on which the ammunition fragments rest directly or on transport containers containing the ammunition fragments. The conveyor belt can be automatically controlled.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant decommissioning platform has double bulkheads and / or static bulkheads and / or reinforced structures within the decommissioning platform. This serves to limit the impact to a specific area of ​​the decommissioning platform in the event of a damage event.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant dismantling platform comprises, in addition to the at least one first dismantling chamber according to the invention, at least one first pre-dismantling dismantling chamber. The at least one first pre-dismantling dismantling chamber is fundamentally constructed like the dismantling chamber according to the invention. In this embodiment, large ordnance is first introduced into the first pre-dismantling dismantling chamber and roughly crushed there, in particular cut into uniformly wide slices using a band saw. The large ordnance thus dismantled is then transferred from the first pre-dismantling dismantling chamber to the first dismantling chamber, where it is further crushed to the size required for final destruction. Thus, the first pre-dismantling dismantling chamber and the first dismantling chamber preferably differ in that they have a different separation device for crushing the ordnance.For example, the first pre-disassembly / demolition chamber has a cutting device in the form of a band saw, which is suitable for cutting even large objects, such as sea mines or bombs weighing more than one ton, into slices of uniform thickness. The first demolition chamber then preferably has a smaller cutting device than the first pre-disassembly / demolition chamber, which is designed to further disassemble the slices produced in the first pre-disassembly / demolition chamber. Likewise, explosive ordnance, which is in particular smaller than the slices produced in the first pre-disassembly / demolition chamber, can be introduced directly into the demolition chamber. This allows for easy processing of explosive ordnance of very different sizes.

[0045] The first pre-disassembly and decommissioning chamber can, for example, dispense with a device for transporting the ordnance. For example, the ordnance can be brought into the first pre-disassembly and decommissioning chamber on a pallet and disassembled there. All the panels can then be transported together on the pallet from the first pre-disassembly and decommissioning chamber to the first decommissioning chamber. For example, they can be lifted from the first pre-disassembly and decommissioning chamber to the first decommissioning chamber using a lifting device, or they can be transported between the two chambers using a conveyor belt or roller conveyor.

[0046] In contrast, the first decommissioning chamber, for example, has a device for separating the parts of the munitions so that they can then be destroyed, in particular by incineration.

[0047] A further advantage of this embodiment with at least one first disassembly chamber and at least one first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber is that the numerical ratio between the pre-disassembly disassembly chambers and the disassembly chambers can be adjusted to the expected size distribution. For example, if one were to assume that, by weight, only less than 25% of the ordnance would be of a size requiring pre-disassembly, one could combine four disassembly chambers with one pre-disassembly disassembly chamber.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant decommissioning platform has an intermediate storage facility in which the ammunition fragments removed from the decommissioning chamber can be temporarily stored. This allows, for example, a more uniform destruction process. For example, the recovery of ordnance at night can be omitted for safety reasons, while an incineration device can continue to operate continuously.

[0049] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for destroying underwater munitions using a buoyant decommissioning platform according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: a) Lifting an ordnance from the water by means of the at least one first lifting device, b) Pivoting the ordnance over the at least one first decommissioning chamber, wherein the decommissioning chamber is arranged on the buoyant decommissioning platform and wherein, for example and preferably, the lid of the at least one first decommissioning chamber is open, c) Lowering the ordnance into the at least one first decommissioning chamber into the recess in the inner floor, d) Closing the at least one first decommissioning chamber, for example and preferably with the lid, e) Dismembering the ordnance within the decommissioning chamber, wherein a piece of ammunition, preferably in a size of 5 kg to 10 kg, is separated, f) Repeating step e) until the ordnance is disassembled to such an extent that it can be further processed, g) Opening the at least one first decommissioning chamber, for example and preferably by removing the lid,h) Lifting the ammunition fragments out of the at least one first decommissioning chamber, i) Transporting the ammunition fragments to the at least one first destruction device, in particular a first combustion device, j) Combustion of the ammunition fragments in the at least one first combustion device.

[0050] The major advantage of the method according to the invention is that it complies with legal requirements for handling ammunition and minimizes the transportation of munitions. It is lifted from the water in one operation and placed directly into the decommissioning chamber. This eliminates the need for further intermediate storage and transportation. Each relocation and transport poses an additional risk of unintentional detonation.

[0051] By completely breaking down the ordnance into small, directly combustible munitions, subsequent processing and final destruction are comparatively simple. During all intermediate steps in the ordnance dismantling process, the dismantling chamber is closed, ensuring that all risky steps are carried out in a manner that prioritizes the protection of the buoyant dismantling platform and the environment. The ordnance is considered fully dismantled when it has been broken down into such small pieces that further processing of each individual piece, and thus the entire ordnance, is possible. For example, they can be burned in an incinerator without damaging it.

[0052] The transport of the ammunition fragments to at least one first destruction facility, in particular a first combustion device, in step i) may also include intermediate storage. This may serve, for example, to even out the material flow, for example, fed to a combustion furnace. The transport may also be carried out in several sub-steps and using different transport devices. For example, a first transport step may consist of lifting, which may be performed, for example, using a crane or a lifting platform. Furthermore, a horizontal conveyor system may be used, for example.

[0053] For practical reasons, the lifting in step a) can also be performed by another vessel. In this case, a transport to the buoyant decommissioning platform takes place between steps a) and b). The advantage of this is that the buoyant decommissioning platform needs to be moved less; the disadvantage is that a second vessel is required.

[0054] The fragmentation of the ordnance in step e) within the decommissioning chamber is preferably carried out so that the ammunition fragments are between 5 kg and 10 kg in size, which is currently optimal. This size can be easily processed by the incinerators currently in use. If the ammunition fragments are too large, the energy released in a short time is too great. Unnecessary fragmentation is time-consuming and unnecessarily dangerous. However, if other incinerators are used, the size of the ammunition fragments will be adjusted to their specifications.

[0055] Repeat step f) until the ordnance is sufficiently dismantled to allow further processing, i.e., until it is completely dismantled into ammunition fragments that can be burned in the incinerator. The current size of the ammunition fragments is typically between 5 kg and 10 kg. For example, if a 100 kg ordnance is to be dismantled, it can be divided into 10 ammunition fragments, each weighing 10 kg. The ordnance is then completely dismantled into ammunition fragments that can be further processed.

[0056] Preferably, the at least one first lifting device comprises a lifting and recovery tool suitable for the transport of munitions.

[0057] In a further embodiment of the invention, the following steps are carried out between step a) and step b): m) pivoting the ordnance over the at least one first pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber, wherein the pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber is arranged on the buoyant decommissioning platform and wherein the lid of the at least one first decommissioning chamber is open, n) lowering the ordnance into the at least one first pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber into the recess in the inner floor, o) closing the at least one first pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber with the lid, p) pre-disassembling the ordnance within the decommissioning chamber into disc-shaped pieces, q) repeating step p) until the ordnance is disassembled to such an extent that it can be further processed, r) lifting a disc-cut ordnance out of the pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber by means of the at least one first lifting device.

[0058] In a further embodiment of the invention, in step e), after the fragmentation of the ordnance, the ammunition fragment is placed on a flat surface of the interior floor. For example, this surface can also be a transport container located inside the dismantling chamber. The advantage is that the already separated ammunition fragments do not interfere with the further fragmentation of the ordnance and, in the event of an unintentional explosion of the ordnance, do not detonate during further fragmentation or only detonate at a later time, thus reducing the strength of the pressure wave of the detonation.

[0059] In a further embodiment of the invention, a screening device is placed on the opened dismantling chamber between step c) and step d). The ordnance is scanned using the screening device. The screening device is then removed again. This has the advantage that the ordnance does not have to be first placed in a screening device or even transported through it. Once placed, the ordnance remains stationary. This minimizes the risk of accidental detonation during screening. For example, and preferably, screening is carried out using X-rays. The X-rays can be generated, for example, by an X-ray tube. However, in order to provide the energy required to scan a heavy metal casing, a free-electron laser can also be used as a source.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, prior to step c), a screening device is placed on the opened decommissioning chamber, through which a weapon can be transported into the decommissioning chamber. After step c) and before step d), the screening device is removed. This embodiment also has the advantage that the weapon does not have to be additionally inserted into and removed from a separate screening device. Rather, in this embodiment, it is already screened during insertion into the decommissioning chamber.

[0061] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ordnance is lifted out of the water in a transport container in step a) and introduced into the decommissioning chamber in the transport container in step c). Subsequently, in step e), it is cut up in the transport container or with the transport container. This means that the ordnance does not have to be re-buried. The ordnance is placed underwater in the transport container and, provided this step, which is also protected by the water column above the ordnance, the ordnance is no longer moved relative to the transport container, thus minimizing the risk of accidental detonation. Depending on the ordnance, type or size of ordnance, and also on the type of cutting device, it may be advantageous to cut up the transport container together with the ordnance.This obviously has the disadvantage that the transport container can only be used once, but may have the advantage of further minimizing the movement of the munitions.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ammunition fragments are placed in combustible boxes, in particular cardboard boxes, in step e), transported in the combustible boxes, in particular cardboard boxes, in steps h) and i) and incinerated with the combustible boxes, in particular cardboard boxes, in step j).

[0063] The decommissioning chamber according to the invention and the buoyant decommissioning platform are explained in more detail below using an embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 Delaboration chamber Fig. 2 Floating delaboration platform

[0064] In Fig. 1 A decommissioning chamber 10 is shown. The decommissioning chamber 10 has an outer housing 20 and can be closed with a removable lid 30. For example, the lid 30 can be moved horizontally to open the decommissioning chamber 10. In the example shown, the outer housing 20 and lid 30 are designed according to protection class G9 according to NATO standard STANAG 2920 in order to effectively contain shrapnel with up to 67 kJ. Likewise, the connection between the outer housing 20 and lid 30 is designed such that the lid 30 is not separated from the outer housing 20 in the event of a detonation.

[0065] Arranged inside the decommissioning chamber 10 is an inner floor 40, which has a recess 110 for receiving an ordnance 90. A first chamber area 50 is formed between the outer casing 20 and the inner floor, which is filled with sand in the example shown. Alternatively, the first chamber area 50 could be filled with concrete.

[0066] The lid 30 has a pressure relief 60, which in the example shown is labyrinth-shaped, so that when opened in the event of an explosion, no splinters can escape through the pressure relief 60 to the outside.

[0067] In the example shown, the recess 110 is designed to be large enough for the ordnance 90 to be placed in a transport container 120 and divided therein. For this purpose, a cutting device 70 and a chamber lifting device 80 are also arranged in the recess. The chamber lifting device 80 can, in particular, transfer ammunition fragments severed by the cutting device 70 into a cardboard box 130, which is arranged on a storage surface 100 above the recess 110.

[0068] Fig. 2shows a buoyant decommissioning platform 200. This has a buoyant platform 210, for example a pontoon. In the example shown, two decommissioning chambers 10, 11 are arranged in a first platform area 250. For practical reasons, these would be arranged perpendicular to the image plane. However, for clarity, they are shown this way here. For example, and advantageously, more decommissioning chambers 10, 11 can also be present, for example four decommissioning chambers 10, 11. The first platform area 250 is separated from the second platform area 260 by a protective element 270. The protective element is designed such that one surface is arranged at a 45° angle to the surface of the second platform area 260 and at a 135° angle to the surface of the first platform area 250.If a detonation occurs in a decommissioning chamber 10, 11 and the pressure wave of the detonation is not only directed upwards through the inner floor 40, the first chamber region 50 and the pressure relief 60, a pressure wave running horizontally towards the second platform region 260 is deflected upwards by the protective element and thus protects the devices arranged in the second platform region 260.

[0069] A combustion device 230 is arranged in the second platform area 260. This is preferably designed to safely burn ammunition fragments, for example, weighing 10 kg each. In the example shown, a gas purification system 240 is connected to the combustion device 230 to purify the combustion exhaust gases, in particular to filter out or convert chemical warfare agents and their combustion products. In this way, ordnance 90 containing chemical warfare agents can also be reliably and safely destroyed. To transport the ammunition fragments from the dismantling chambers 10, 11 to the combustion device 230, the buoyant dismantling platform 200 has a transport device 280, for example a conveyor belt. Furthermore, a lifting device 220 is preferably arranged in the second platform area 260, with which ordnance 90 can be lifted out of the water and introduced directly into the dismantling chambers 10, 11.By positioning the lifting device 220 in the second platform area 260, the base of the lifting device 220 is also protected by the protective element 270, so that in the event of a detonation, especially when inserting the ordnance 90 into a decommissioning chamber 10, 11, where the danger is highest, only a small and easily repairable part of the lifting device 220 needs to be repaired or replaced.

[0070] Furthermore, the buoyant decommissioning platform 200 can have a third platform area, which is arranged behind the second platform area 260 and separated from it by a further protective element 270. This makes this area the best-protected area, so that, for example, a crew quarters 290 can be arranged here. Other system-relevant components (propulsion, communications, radar, and, if necessary, sonar for detecting ordnance underwater) can also preferably be arranged in this area. Reference symbol

[0071] 10, 11 Decommissioning chamber 20 Outer casing 30 Lid 40 Inner floor 50 First chamber area 60 Pressure relief 70 Cutting device 80 Chamber lifting device 90 Ordnance 100 Storage area 110 Recess 120 Transport container 130 Cardboard box 200 Floating decommissioning platform 210 Floating platform 220 Lifting device 230 Combustion device 240 Gas purification 250 First platform area 260 Second platform area 270 Protective element 280 Transport device 290 Quarters

Claims

1. A floatable delaboration platform (200), the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprising at least a first lifting device (220), the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprising at least a first delaboration chamber (10, 11), wherein the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprises at least one destruction unit, wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has an outer housing (20), wherein the outer housing (20) can be sealed by a removable cover (30), wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has an inner floor (40), wherein a first chamber region (50) is formed underneath the inner floor (40) by the inner floor (40) and the outer housing (20), wherein the first chamber region (50) is filled with a flowable or solid medium, wherein the inner floor (40) has a recess (110) for receiving an explosive object, wherein the cover (30) is connected to the outer housing (20) in a shockproof manner, wherein the cover (30) has a pressure relief (60), wherein the pressure relief (60) has at least one deflection for the detonation gases.

2. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has at least one separating device, in particular a cutting device (70).

3. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a water-jet device, wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has a water outlet, wherein the water outlet passes through the inner floor (40), the first chamber region (50) and the outer housing (20).

4. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a bandsaw.

5. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has at least one first chamber lifting device (80).

6. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is formed by a series of predetermined breaking points in the cover (30) that are arranged offset one behind the other.

7. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner floor (40) has a planar depositing area (100), wherein the depositing area (100) is arranged above the recess (110) for receiving an explosive object.

8. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is connected to a gas cleaning means (240).

9. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, the destruction installation is a first incineration device (230).

10. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floatable delaboration platform (200) has at least one first platform region (250) and one second platform region (260), wherein the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) is arranged in the first platform region (250), wherein the at least one first incineration device (230) is arranged in the second platform region (260), wherein at least one first protective element (270) is arranged between the first platform region (250) and the second platform region (260), wherein the at least one first protective element (270) has a surface, wherein the surface of the protective element (270) has an angle of 120° to 150° in relation to the surface of the first platform region (250), wherein the surface of the protective element (270) has an angle of 30° to 60° in relation to the surface of the second platform region (260).

11. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the floatable delaboration platform (200) has a transporting device (280) for transporting pieces of munition from the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) to the at least one first incineration device (230).

12. Method for destroying underwater ordnance (90) with a floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) lifting an ordnance (90) out of the water by means of the at least one first lifting device (220), b) pivoting the ordnance (90) over the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), c) lowering the ordnance (90) into the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), into the recess (110) in the inner floor (40), d) sealing the at least one first delaboration chamber, e) breaking up the ordnance (90) within the delaboration chamber (10, 11), wherein a piece of munition is detached, f) repeating step e) until the ordnance (90) is dismantled, g) opening the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), h) lifting out the pieces of munition from the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), i) transporting the pieces of munition to the at least one first incineration device (230), j) incinerating the pieces of munition in the at least one first incineration device (230).

13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that in step e), after breaking up the ordnance (90), the piece of munition is brought onto a planar area of the inner floor (40).

14. Method according to either of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that between step c) and step d) a transillumination device is placed onto the opened delaboration chamber (10, 11), the ordnance (90) is transilluminated and the transillumination device is removed again.

15. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the ordnance (90) is lifted out of the water in a transporting container (120) in step a) and is introduced into the delaboration chamber (10, 11) in the transporting container (120) in step c) and is broken up in the transporting container (120) or with the transporting container (120) in step e).

16. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the pieces of munition are deposited into flammable boxes, in particular into cardboard boxes (130), in step e), are transported in the flammable boxes, in particular in the cardboard boxes (130), in steps h) and i) and are incinerated with the flammable boxes, in particular with the cardboard boxes (130), in step j).