Plasticized Pyrotechnic Material for Hazardous Waste Destruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for in-place destruction of hazardous materials, such as thermite grenades, are limited by their fixed size and shape, making them ineffective for large areas or varied shapes of hazardous materials, particularly in scenarios involving fentanyl, chemical warfare agents, and other explosive materials.
Innovation Solution
A plasticized pyrotechnic material that can be easily portioned and molded into desired shapes at the hazardous material location, comprising 70-99% pyrotechnic composition and 1-30% plasticizer composition, which burns at high temperatures (>2000° C) when ignited, without detonating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermite grenades are used for in-place destruction, then high temperature destruction capability is achieved, but the burn area is limited to the grenade's outer diameter and cannot be scaled
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic material is divided into multiple granules or particles that can be scattered over a large area. Each granule maintains the high temperature combustion capability of traditional thermite, while the collective arrangement of multiple granules provides extensive burn coverage for large-area hazardous material destruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical form parameter from a single solid grenade to a collection of scorable granules. This parameter change enables flexible adjustment of the burn area by controlling the quantity and distribution of granules, while maintaining the high temperature combustion characteristic through the pyrotechnic composition of each granule.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermite grenades with fixed size and shape are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different hazard shapes and sizes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic material transitions from a fixed rigid grenade structure to a flexible system of scorable granules that can be dynamically shaped. First responders can score and break the material into desired configurations to match various hazard geometries, providing adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized granule production.
Solution Approach 2:
The material is segmented into individual granules that can be independently arranged and configured. This segmentation allows the pyrotechnic composition to be adapted to different hazard shapes and sizes by simply varying the distribution and arrangement of granules, without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each scenario.
3Reliability
If high amount of energetic material is contained in the pyrotechnic composition, then destruction effectiveness is improved, but risk of detonation instead of controlled burning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the pyrotechnic material by incorporating a plasticizer, transforming it from a rigid explosive-prone form to a flexible putty-like consistency. This parameter change in physical state promotes controlled burning while suppressing detonation, even with high energetic material content, because the plasticized structure favors deflagration over detonation propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic composition is formulated as a composite material combining energetic compounds with a plasticizer matrix. This composite structure maintains high destruction effectiveness through the energetic content while the plasticizer phase acts as a detonation suppressant, ensuring controlled burning behavior despite the high concentration of energetic material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The plasticized pyrotechnic material effectively destroys hazardous materials in place, providing a universally effective solution for various shapes and sizes of threats, while being stable, safe, and inexpensive to deploy for first responders.
Implementation Method 1
The plasticized pyrotechnic material can be ignited with a conventional ignition source, such as an electric match or open flame. Once ignited, the pyrotechnic material burns at a high temperature (>2000° C.) effective to destroy the hazardous but does not detonate.
Implementation Method 2
The pyrotechnic components are mixed together prior to introduction of the polymer mixture, which is introduced as a solution or slurry in a volatile organic solvent (such as hexane or petroleum ether) that is subsequently evaporated from the pyrotechnic material.
Data Source
AI summary
A plasticized pyrotechnic material can be easily portioned and formed or molded into a desired shape and burns at a high temperature (>2000° C.) but does not detonate. The plasticized pyrotechnic material may preferably include a combination of about 70-99% by weight of a pyrotechnic composition and about 1-30% by weight of a plasticizer composition comprising various low to mid molecular weight polyisobutylenes. The pyrotechnic material comprises inorganic oxidizers (e.g. metal oxides, oxohalide salts, nitrates, nitrites, chlorates/perchlorates) and metal or metal oxides powders mixed intimately. The plasticizer may include a small amount of a fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and may also include up to 1-2% by weight of a processed oil, such as a mineral oil or motor oil. Some embodiments may also include a biocide precursor molecule.