Device and method for destroying materials containing explosophore moieties

Abstract

The present invention relates to the apparatus for destroying materials comprising explosophore moieties comprising a reactor within which a container is arranged, wherein the reactor is closed by means of closing means, wherein at least one end of the reactor is connected to a vacuum system, and wherein at least one heater, at least one temperature sensor and at least one temperature controller are attached to the reactor. Another object of the invention is a method of destroying materials containing explosophore moieties.

Description

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a device and a method of destroying materials containing explosophoric groups. The invention relates to the field of chemistry of explosives, in particular the disposal of materials with explosive potential.

[0002] From the Japanese patent application JP2011145002 A, a system and method for disposal of unnecessary bullet were disclosed, where explosive treatment system comprising an explosion-proof container for storing an explosive object to be treated, and an outer chamber surrounding the explosion-proof container and spaced from the explosion-proof container and further disposed around the outer chamber. Chamber heating means, suction means for bringing the inside of the outer chamber into a negative pressure state, and the explosion-proof container has a main body having an opening in which one side for storing the explosive material to be treated is opened, and the treatment an explosion-proof container lid that covers the opening of the explosion-proof container body so that pressurized gas generated when processing an object does not directly reach the outer chamber from the opening. The chamber includes a discharge port that discharges gas disposed at one end, an outer chamber body that houses the explosion-proof container having an opening opened at a base, and the opening of the outer chamber body. Sealed an outer chamber lid having a mounting plate capable of positioning and locking the explosion-proof container, and the suction means sucking the gas in the outer chamber by the suction means processing the object to be processed. An explosive treatment system, wherein after reducing the amount of gas in the chamber, the outer chamber is heated by the chamber heating means to burn and process explosives stored in the explosion-proof container.

[0003] From the US patent US6881383 B1 an explosive destruction system and method for safely destroying explosively is disclosed. The system comprises a sealable, gas-tight explosive containment vessel, a fragment suppression system positioned in said vessel, and shaped charge means for accessing the interior of the munition when the munition is placed within the vessel and fragment suppression system. Also provided is a means for treatment and neutralization of the munition's chemical fills and means for heating and agitating the contents of the vessel. The system is portable, rapidly deployable and provides the capability of explosively destroying and detoxifying chemical munitions within a gas-tight enclosure so that there is no venting of toxic or hazardous chemicals during detonation.

[0004] From the international application WO9923419 A1 an explosion-resistance reaction chamber and method for disposing of objects containing explosive substances are known. The explosion-resistant reaction chamber comprising feeding devices and openings for adding and removing reaction products. The invention also relates to applications for the inventive chamber and to methods for disposing of ammunition in large quantities, especially ammunition containing chemical warfare agents. The floor of the chamber can pivot and contains an explosion table with a large mass.

[0005] From the Polish patent PAT.174262, there is known a method of destroying explosive substances by combustion, where it dissolves or forms a suspension of explosive substance particles in a flammable liquid that does not have available oxygen or has only a small amount of available oxygen, wherein the proportion of flammable liquid used is of the order of magnitude enabling to reduce the energy content of this mixture to 1 MJ / kg or less under the conditions of isolating the access of atmospheric oxygen, this mixture is delivered to the combustion device through a liquid fuel burner or a solid / liquid fuel burner for slurries, and then this mixture is burned in the combustion device.

[0006] From the Polish patent PAT.212055, a device for neutralizing explosive hazards is known having a top-closed cylindrical body with an outlet nozzle attached from below, an explosive combustion chamber located in the upper part of the body, an extinguishing material located in the lower part of the body, and a membrane separating the extinguishing material from the outlet nozzle includes a combustion chamber consisting of a perforated main chamber located in the axis of the body in the space above the extinguishing material, and a booster nozzle converging in the direction of the membrane and located coaxially in the lower part of the body. The booster nozzle has booster holes on the circumference, near the membrane, and the outlet nozzle is terminated with a spray head with holes separating the spray stream at the outlet of the nozzle.

[0007] From the Polish patent PAT.210417, a method of destroying products containing explosives is known, in that the destroyed products are arranged in a recess on the ground surface. An intermediate excitation charge made of explosives and explosive substances with a positive oxygen balance is placed between the destroyed products. Then, a layer of the basic excitation charge, also made of explosives with a positive oxygen balance, is laid on the stack prepared in this way, and direct excitation charges provided with initiating means are placed in this layer. The initiating means is connected to the firing network, after which the stack thus formed is stimulated to explode. Intermediate and basic excitation charges have a loose, liquid or semi-liquid consistency. Intermediate and primary excitatory charges include ammonium nitrate. The essence of the variation of the invention is that the stack prepared as above is covered with a nail made of loose and / or liquid material before being excited to explode.

[0008] The basic method of destroying compounds containing explosophoric groups (ZE) is their combustion or detonation in open space [1]. This type of destruction is a nuisance to the environment due to noise and pollution of the environment by combustion and detonation products. Therefore, a number of alternative methods of ZE destruction in closed systems have been developed. An example of such methods may be hydrolysis [2-4], biodegradation [5-6], electrochemical oxidation [7], supercritical water oxidation [8], combustion in a fluid reactor [9], oxidation with air in the presence of steam

[10] , combustion in a rotary kiln

[11] , use of a plasma torch [12-13]. Alkaline hydrolysis consists in the reaction of ZE with solutions of carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides, e.g.: sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, ammonia water. The processes are conducted at a temperature of 30-150°C. Pressure reactors are used if the process is conducted above the boiling point of the solvent. The process produces non-energy compounds that are soluble in water. The hydrolysis process uses, in addition to water, solvents such as, ethanol, DMSO, acetonitrile, or an aqueous solution thereof. The use of organic solvents facilitates the hydrolysis reaction, especially in the case of hydrolysis of mixtures containing binders. Unfortunately, this causes the generation of additional post-process waste, which is particularly burdensome after the destruction of aromatic nitro compounds [2-4]. Biodegradation and biotransformation is an ecological method of destruction using microorganisms and plants. This method is particularly advantageous for systems where the ZE concentration is low, e.g., contaminated soil, water. Nitroamines such as hexogen, octogen are much more easily biodegradable than nitro aromatic compounds such as TNT. The processes of ZE biodegradation are very slow, and the resulting products are toxic and mutagenic, which is why the methods leading to biodegradation and biotransformation of the aforementioned compounds are usually dedicated to the cleaning of contaminated areas [5-6].

[0009] Supercritical water oxidation is a process in which only water is used as a ZE decomposer. The process of decomposition with supercritical water has a number of advantages, does not require the use of complicated apparatus, the decomposition process takes place with a high efficiency of up to 99.9% for TNT (trotyl) and RDX (hexogen) and 98% for HMX (octogen). Its key inconvenience is that the resulting decomposition products, for example TNT, are highly toxic and mutagenic [8]. Other known methods such as rotary kiln incineration, fluid and plasma reactor incineration allow for very efficient destruction / disposal of various wastes, including ZE. It is problematic that the above-mentioned combustion methods require appropriate, i.e. complicated and time-consuming preparation of ZE samples before the disposal process, the purpose of which is to reduce the probability of explosion, and the process itself requires the construction of complex equipment adapted to the disposal of a specific explosophoric compound.

[0010] During the thermal decomposition of compounds containing explosophoric groups, an uncontrolled acceleration of the process leading to the explosion may occur. Such a high risk of explosion during the disposal of hazardous materials has serious consequences in the form of direct loss of health and, in extreme cases, loss of life. Existing devices for the disposal of hazardous compounds with explosive properties allow operation under atmospheric or elevated pressure, which significantly increases the risk of explosion and prevents an increase in the share of exothermic reactions in the gas phase.

[0011] The aim of the present invention was to develop a device that would enable the safe and controlled, i.e. non-rapid disposal of materials containing explosive groups or mixtures of these materials.

[0012] The utilization process of the present invention consists in heating the substance under reduced pressure so that the destroyed compounds or intermediate decomposition products pass into the gas phase. The resulting gas stream travels through a high temperature zone where the compounds decompose. The need for safe disposal is high and will continue to increase due to the increase in demand for this type of materials from, among others, the Armed Forces.

[0013] Surprisingly, all the above mentioned technical problems have been solved by the present invention.

[0014] The present invention relates to a device for destroying materials comprising explosophoric groups, wherein it comprises a reactor within which a container is arranged, wherein the reactor is closed by means of closing means, wherein at least one end of the reactor is connected to a vacuum system, and wherein at least one heater, at least one temperature sensor and at least one temperature controller are attached to the reactor, characterized in that at one of the ends of the interior of the reactor, at the height of at least one heater, a filling for heating the exhaust gases is mounted.

[0015] Preferably, the apparatus is characterized in that the reactor further comprises at least one operating gas supply system, wherein the gas supply system comprises an operating gas source that is connected to a rotameter and to a valve.

[0016] Preferably, the apparatus is characterized in that the closing means at one end of the reactor is a left stopper with a clamp nut, and the closing means at the other end of the reactor is a right stopper with a clamp nut.

[0017] Preferably, the device is characterized in that it comprises two heaters, wherein a left heater is mounted at one end of the reactor and a right heater is mounted at the other end, wherein the heater is a resistance heater, and the left heater is insulated by thermal insulation and the right heater is insulated by thermal insulation.

[0018] Preferably, the device is characterized in that the vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump connected to the particle filter through a buffer tank and a cooling system, wherein the cooling system comprises a heat sink to which the cooling fan is mounted.

[0019] Preferably, the device is characterized in that the container at both ends is leaky.

[0020] Preferably, the device is characterized in that a left heater temperature control system includes a temperature sensor and a left heater operation controller, and a right heater temperature control system includes a temperature sensor and a right heater operation controller.

[0021] Preferably, the device is characterized in that the container is provided with a temperature sensor.

[0022] A further object of the invention is a method for destroying materials containing explosophoric groups by means of an apparatus according to the invention, characterized in that comprises the following steps: a) the material to be destroyed is placed in a container and then pushed into the interior of the reactor (1) and the closing means at both ends of the reactor are pressed, b) the vacuum system is activated, whereby a pressure of not more than 500 mbar is set, c) at least one heater is activated and the desired temperature is set using the temperature control of at least one heater and a rate of temperature rise not exceeding 10°C / min, d) when the end of thermal decomposition is detected, the power supply to the heater is cut off, and then the vacuum system is switched off.

[0023] Preferably, the method is characterized in that the pressure in the vacuum system is not more than 100 mbar, preferably not more than 10 mbar.

[0024] Preferably, the method is characterized in that the rate of temperature rise does not exceed 5°C / min, preferably not exceeding 2°C / min.

[0025] Preferably, the method is characterized in that the closing means at one end of the reactor is a left stopper with a clamp nut, and the closing means at the other end of the reactor is a right stopper with a clamp nut.

[0026] Preferably, the method is characterized in that two heaters are activated, wherein a left heater is mounted at one end of the reactor and a right heater is mounted at the other end.

[0027] Preferably, the method is characterized in that the left heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor and a left heater operation controller, and the right heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor and a right heater operation controller.

[0028] Preferably, the method is characterized in that the vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump connected to the particle filter through a buffer tank and a cooling system, wherein the cooling system comprises a heat sink to which the cooling fan is mounted.

[0029] According to the present invention, the reactor may have a pipe shape whose cross-section is any flat geometric figure, for example, a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a diamond, a parallelogram, a polygon. In addition, the subject matter of the present invention is not limited to a pipe of any of the aforementioned cross-sections and may also constitute any known body, for example a cuboid, a sphere. According to the present invention, heating means refer to any heating elements known in the state of the art to achieve high temperatures. According to the invention, the operating gas may be oxygen, air, water vapour, an inert gas, e.g. argon, nitrogen, or a mixture of these gases. According to the invention, the material from which the device according to the invention is made is not limited to stainless steel. According to an embodiment, the device is in the form of a roller on which at least one heating medium is placed, and in the example it is two heating means in the form of two resistance heaters, the heating means according to the invention not being limited to the resistance heaters only, since the heating means can be any heating element for obtaining the desired temperature and are spaced at a certain distance from each other. The heaters are insulated from the outside so as to limit the heat loss to the environment and make the decomposition process as energy efficient as possible. At one the pipe is connected to a vacuum pump and at the other to the gas supply. The temperature of the heaters is controlled by a controller using temperature sensors. The control of the heater from the side of the vacuum pump is relatively simple and consists in setting the desired temperature, and after reaching it, maintaining this state. Controlling the heater from the gas supply side involves generating a temperature increase. The weight of the material disposed of once and the rate of temperature rise of the heater depend on the exothermicity of the destruction process of the high-energy material disposed of. On the side of the operating gas supply, at the height of the heater, a container containing the disposed ZE material was placed in such a way that it could take over the maximum amount of heat from the resistance heater located outside the pipe. Gas is supplied to the container and a thermocouple is connected to control the current temperature of the high-energy material. The front of the container from one end to the other is not tight and allows the flow of gas and high-energy material or its intermediate decomposition products in the gaseous form. At the height of the second resistance heater inside the tube, there is a filling, whose task is to further heat the flowing gases and thus possibly complete the decomposition of the high-energy material so that the vacuum pump sucks in low-molecular substances, not containing explosophoric groups. On the outside of the gas discharge pipe to the vacuum pump, a cooler is provided with a heat sink and a cooling fan to cool the gases to allow them to flow through the vacuum pump. From the power supply side, a flow control module in the form of a precision needle valve with a rotameter is placed.

[0030] The apparatus according to the invention comprises a) a pipe, with wound resistance heaters, thermally insulated, mechanical connections in the form of a thread and a metal-to-metal seal; b) resistance heaters provided with a 230V AC electrical connection, c) a built-in thermocouple for controlling the internal temperature of the heater, d) a gas connection with a tube supplying gas to a container for recycled high-energy material, together with a thermocouple for controlling the temperature inside the container, e) an air supply module in the form of a needle valve with a rotameter for setting the desired flow of the operating gas through the distribution chamber, f) a vacuum generation module consisting of a connection, a vacuum pump, a buffer tank and a cooling system sucked by the gas pump in the form of a heat sink and a cooling fan powered by electricity.

[0031] The method of performing individual activities during a single disposal process includes the following steps, namely placing a portion of high-energy material to be destroyed in a container adapted for this purpose, then placing a container with high-energy material inside the reactor, determining the temperature of the hot zone of the reactor 1 on the heater 6b, the temperature should be close to or greater than the final temperature on the heater 6a, and then a vacuum pump is activated to set a pressure of not more than 500 mbar, preferably not more than 100 mbar, most preferably not more than 10 mbar. Each time, the parameters of the destruction process should be determined, i.e. pressure on the vacuum pump, desired temperature on the heater. At any time of the method according to the invention, the operating gas flow can optionally be activated. The temperature rise over time parameters are set in order to achieve the desired temperature on the heater 6a. One variant of the temperature program is to use a linear temperature rise, the rate of temperature rise should not be greater than 10°C / min, preferably should not exceed 5°C / min, and most preferably 2°C / min. The limit temperature of the process depends on the thermal stability of the destroyed compounds, e.g. for pentrite, hexogen, octogen, poly(glycidyl azide) should not be less than 300°C, while for TNT or triaminotrinitrobenzene it should not be less than 400°C. The process is controlled by comparing the temperature inside the container with the high-energy material with the temperature of the heater 6a. The desired gas flow through the system is started using the needle control valve for this purpose. When the decomposition process is completed, the heaters are switched off, then the reactor and the container are cooled down, in which the disposed material was placed. The rate of temperature increase depends on the properties of the material being destroyed, its quantity and the pressure prevailing in the furnace. It is advantageous to carry out the process so that it is endothermic.

[0032] A particular advantage according to the invention is the possibility of carrying out the process of utilization of compounds with explosophoric groups, limiting the likelihood of the rapid process. An additional advantage is the possibility of carrying out the disposal process with the participation of uncomplicated equipment, which can easily be transported to any place intended for the destruction of materials containing explosive groups. Another advantage according to the invention is to minimize the risk of loss of health and even life through a fully controlled process. Another advantage is the reduction of negative environmental impact, reducing gas emissions.

[0033] The object of the invention in the embodiments is further explained on the basis of the drawings, in which FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of a device for destroying materials containing explosophoric groups, FIG. 2 shows schematically the construction of the apparatus for destroying materials containing explosophoric groups provided with the operating gas supply system.Example 1 - Design of the device according to the invention

[0034] The apparatus comprises a stainless steel reactor 1 which is secured by means of a mounting bracket 2 to the base of the apparatus. The container 3 constituting the container of the disposed material is arranged inside the reactor 1. Both ends of the reactor 1 are tightly closed by means of closing means, wherein, in particular, the left stopper 4a is fixed to one end of the reactor 1 by means of a clamp nut 5a, and the right stopper 4b is fixed to the other end of the reactor 1 by means of a clamp nut 5b. At one end of the reactor 1, the left heater 6a is wound, and at the other end, the right heater 6b is wound (the number of heaters is not limited, wherein the device must include at least one heater). The left heater 6a is insulated with thermal insulation 7a, and the right heater 6b is insulated with thermal insulation 7b. At one of the ends of the interior of the reactor 1, at the height of the resistance heater 6b, a filling 8 for heating the intake gases (e.g. a metal mesh) is mounted. On the one hand, the reactor 1 is connected to a vacuum system which includes a vacuum pump 13 connected to a particle filter 11 via a buffer tank 12. The particle filter 11 is connected to a cooling system, wherein said cooling system comprises a heat sink 9 for cooling the outlet pipe and a cooling fan 10 is mounted to the heat sink 9. Each of the resistance heaters, i.e. the left heater 6a and the right heater 6b, is provided with an individual temperature control system. The left heater temperature control system 6a includes a temperature sensor 17a (thermocouple), to which the controller is attached left heater operation 18a electrically powered 19a. The right heater temperature control system 6b includes a temperature sensor 17b (thermocouple) to which an electrically powered right heater operation controller 18b is attached. In order to control the temperature of the decomposed material, a temperature sensor 20 (thermocouple) is mounted to the container 3. Each of the temperature control systems is additionally provided with a PID controller with a learning function to facilitate obtaining a desired program temperature. The container 3 at both ends is not completely tight and allows the flow of the operating gas and vapour of high-energy material and intermediate decomposition products. Example 2 - Construction of a device according to the invention provided with the operating gas supply system. The device comprises a reactor 1 made of stainless steel, which is fixed with the mounting bracket 2 to the base of the device. The container 3 constituting the container of the disposed material is arranged inside the reactor 1. Both ends of the reactor 1 are tightly closed by means of closing means, wherein, in particular, the left stopper 4a is secured to one end of the reactor 1 by means of a clamp nut 5a and the right stopper 4b is secured to the other end of the reactor 1 by means of a clamp nut 5b. At one end of the reactor 1, the left heater 6a is wound, and at the other end, the right heater 6b is wound. The left heater 6a is insulated with thermal insulation 7a, and the right heater 6b is insulated with thermal insulation 7b. At one end of the interior of the reactor 1, at the height of the resistance heater, a filling 8 for heating the intake gases (e.g. metal mesh) is mounted. On the one hand, reactor 1 is connected to the vacuum system, and on the other hand, reactor 1 is connected to the operating gas supply system. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump 13 connected to the particle filter 11 through a buffer tank 12. The particle filter 11 is connected to a cooling system wherein said cooling system comprises a heat sink 9 for cooling the outlet pipe and a cooling fan 10 is mounted to the heat sink 9. The gas supply system includes an operating gas source 16 (gas bottle, fixed gas connection or ambient air) that is connected to a one-way valve 30 (needle valve) 14 that shuts off the operating gas supply, whereby a rotameter 15 is fixed between the operating gas source 16 and the one-way valve 14 to control the mass flow rate of the operating gas. Each of the resistance heaters, i.e. the left heater 6a and the right heater 6b, is provided with an individual temperature control system. The left heater temperature control system contains a temperature sensor 17a (thermocouple) to which the left heater operation controller 18a, electrically powered 19a, is attached. The right heater temperature control system includes a temperature sensor 17b (thermocouple) to which an electrically powered right heater operation controller 18b is attached. In order to control the temperature of the decomposed material, a temperature sensor 20 (thermocouple) is mounted to the container 3. Each of the temperature control systems is additionally provided with a PID controller with a learning function to facilitate obtaining a desired temperature program. The container 3 at both ends is not completely tight and allows the flow of the operating gas and vapour of high-energy material and intermediate decomposition products.Example 3 - Method of destroying materials containing explosophoric groups with a device according to the invention

[0035] Before proceeding with the destruction, the correctness of attaching the device to the mounting bracket 2 is checked, after which the material for disposal is placed in the container 3, and then it is carefully inserted into the interior of the reactor 1 and the left plug 4a is pressed to the end of the pipe 1. The left stopper 4a is then tightened with the clamp nut 5a. In the next step, make sure that the right plug 4b is also tightly tightened with the right stopper clamp nut 5b. The vacuum pump 13 is then activated, which will remove the gases from inside the reactor 1 through a buffer tank 12 and particle filter 11. The one-way valve 14 and the operating gas source 16 are opened, and with the help of the rotameter 15, the desired value of the operating gas flow is set (the flow value depends on the amount of material disposed of and the efficiency of the vacuum pump 13). In the next step, the power supply of the right heater 19b is activated and the desired temperature is set using the right heater controller 18b. After the heater 6b reaches the set temperature, the power supply of the left heater 19a is activated and the desired level and rate of temperature increase is set with the help of the left heater controller 18a. The temperatures inside the container 3 for the disposed material are controlled with the temperature sensor 20. The temperatures indicated by the temperature sensor 20 and the left heater temperature sensor 17a indicate the course of the thermal decomposition (disposal) process hazardous material inside reactor 1. When the decomposition process is complete, the power supply of the left heater 19a and the power supply of the right heater 19b is cut off, and then the operating gas supply is closed by means of a one-way valve 14, after which the vacuum pump 13 is switched off and the device is left to cool down.

[0036] Optionally, after the end of the decomposition process, the power supply of the left heater 19a and the right heater 19b is cut off, after which the operating gas supply is left open and the device is left to cool down. After the reactor 1 has cooled down, the operating gas supply is closed by closing the one-way valve 14, and then the vacuum pump 13 is switched off. Leaving the flow open will accelerate cooling, increasing the consumption of the operating gas.

[0037] Optionally, the operating gas flow in the apparatus of the invention is not started at all during the disposal process. Low pressure and high temperature are sufficient conditions to allow the disposal process to take place. Optionally, the operating gas flow can also be started at any point during the process.List of reference signs used:

[0038] 1 - stainless steel reactor, 2 - mounting bracket to the base of the device, 3 - container for disposed of material, 4a - left stopper, 4b - right stopper, 5a - left stopper clamp nut, 5b - right stopper clamp nut, 6a - heater for heating the decomposed material (left heater), 6b - heater for supporting the distribution of vapours of hazardous material (right heater), 7a - thermal insulation of the left heater, 7b - thermal isolation of the right heater, 8 - filling for reheating the exhaust gases (metal mesh), 9 - heat sink for cooling the outlet pipe, 10 - heat sink cooling fan, 11 - particle filter, 12 - buffer tank, 13 - vacuum pump, 14 - operating gas shut-off valve, 15 - rotameter for controlling the mass expenditure of operating gas, 16 - operating gas cylinder, 17a - thermocouple for controlling the temperature of the left heater, 17b - thermocouple for controlling the temperature of the right heater, 18a - left heater operation controller, 18b - right heater operation controller, 19a - left heater power supply, 19b - powering the right heater, 20 - thermocouple for temperature control of the decomposed material. References:

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Claims

1. The apparatus for destroying materials comprising explosophoric groups, wherein it comprises a reactor (1) inside which a container (3) is arranged, wherein the reactor is closed by closing means, wherein at least one end of the reactor (1) is connected to a vacuum system, and at least one heater, at least one temperature sensor (14) and at least one temperature controller are attached to the reactor (1), characterized in that at one of the ends of the interior of the reactor (1), at the height of at least one heater (6a / 6b), a filling (8) for heating the exhaust gases is mounted.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the reactor (1) further comprises at least one operating gas supply system, wherein the gas supply system comprises an operating gas source (16) that is connected to a rotameter (15) and to a valve (14).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing means at one end of the reactor (1) is a left stopper (4a) with a clamp nut (5a), and the closing means at the other end of the reactor (1) is a right stopper (4b) with a clamp nut (5b).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes two heaters, wherein a left heater (6a) is mounted at one end of the reactor (1), and a right heater (6b) is mounted at the other end, wherein the heater (6a, 6b) is a resistance heater, and the left heater (6a) is insulated by thermal insulation (7a) and the right heater (6b) is insulated by thermal insulation (7b).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump (13) connected to the particle filter (11) through a buffer tank (12) and a cooling system, wherein the cooling system comprises a heat sink (9) to which the cooling fan (10) is mounted.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) at both ends is leaky.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a left heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor (17a) and a left heater operation controller (18a), and a right heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor (17b) and a right heater operation controller (18b).

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) is provided with a temperature sensor (20).

9. A method of destroying materials comprising explosophoric groups by means of an apparatus defined according to claims 1-8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) the material to be destroyed is placed in a container (3) and then pushed into the interior of the reactor (1) and the closing means at both ends of the reactor (1) are pressed, b) the vacuum system is activated, whereby a pressure of not more than 500 mbar is set, c) at least one heater is activated, and the desired temperature is set using the temperature control of at least one heater and a rate of temperature rise not exceeding 10°C / min, d) when the end of thermal decomposition is detected, the power supply to the heater is cut off, and then the vacuum system is switched off.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the pressure in the vacuum system is more than 100 mbar, preferably not more than 10 mbar.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the rate of temperature rise does not exceed 5°C / min, preferably does not exceed 2°C / min.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the closing means at one end of the reactor (1) is a left stopper (4a) with a clamp nut (5a), and the closing means at the other end of the reactor (1) is a right stopper (4b) with a clamp nut (5b).

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that two heaters are activated, where the left heater (6a) is mounted at one end of the reactor (1), and the right heater (6b) is mounted at the other end.

14. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the left heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor (17a) and a left heater operation controller (18a), and the right heater temperature control system comprises a temperature sensor (17b) and a right heater operation controller (18b).

15. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump (13) connected to the particle filter (11) through a buffer tank (12) and a cooling system, wherein the cooling system comprises a heat sink (9) to which the cooling fan (10) is mounted.

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