Vacuum Reactor Decomposition of Explosophoric Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for destroying materials with explosive groups often result in environmental pollution and pose a high risk of uncontrolled explosions due to the need for complex equipment and operation under atmospheric or elevated pressure.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a reactor with vacuum and temperature control to decompose materials containing explosophoric groups under reduced pressure and controlled temperature rise, using a stainless steel apparatus with heaters and a vacuum system to manage the process safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If materials containing explosophoric groups are destroyed by combustion or detonation in open space, then the destruction process is simple, but environmental pollution occurs and the risk of uncontrolled explosions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of destruction processVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and explosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vacuum conditions (inert environment) inside the reaction chamber to prevent uncontrolled explosions and environmental pollution. By maintaining reduced pressure, the system eliminates oxygen and other gases that could support combustion or detonation, allowing safe thermal decomposition of explosive materials without the harmful effects of open-space destruction methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If complex equipment is used for destroying explosive materials, then the safety and control improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and control of destruction processVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the destruction system into separate functional components: a reaction chamber for thermal decomposition, a vacuum system for pressure control, and a heating system for temperature control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system safety and reliability, without requiring overly complex integrated equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vacuum system as an intermediary between the reaction chamber and the external environment. This intermediary controls the pressure conditions inside the chamber, enabling safe and controlled destruction of explosive materials without direct exposure to atmospheric conditions, thus improving safety without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If destruction is performed under atmospheric or elevated pressure, then the destruction efficiency is high, but the risk of uncontrolled explosions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestruction efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of uncontrolled explosions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric or elevated pressure to reduced pressure (vacuum conditions). This parameter change maintains destruction efficiency through controlled thermal decomposition while significantly reducing the risk of uncontrolled explosions by eliminating the oxygen and gas phase conditions that support rapid combustion or detonation reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method ensures a safe and controlled disposal process with reduced environmental impact and minimized risk of explosions, utilizing uncomplicated equipment that can be transported for on-site disposal.

Implementation Method 1

The invention utilizes uncomplicated equipment, which can be transported for on-site disposal. The method involves a reactor with vacuum and temperature control to decompose materials containing explosophoric groups under reduced pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

A method involving a reactor with vacuum and temperature control to decompose materials containing explosophoric groups under reduced pressure and controlled temperature rise, using a stainless steel apparatus with heaters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The method involves a reactor with vacuum and temperature control to decompose materials containing explosophoric groups under reduced pressure and controlled temperature rise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4722634A2A method of destroying materials containing explosophoric groups
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 POLITECHNIKA WARSZAWSKA
  • EP4722634A2 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of destroying materials containing explosophoric groups using an apparatus comprising a reactor inside which a container is arranged, wherein the reactor is closed by closing means, wherein at least one end of the reactor is connected to a vacuum system, and at least one heater, at least one temperature sensor and at least one temperature controller are attached to the reactor, wherein 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 comprising the following steps: a) the material to be destroyed is placed in a container and then pushed into the interior of the reactor 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.