Conduit-clearing pyrotechnic device for remediation of residual explosive contamination

Abstract

A device and method for cleaning a sewer line, or other conduit, storage tank, or other vessel, of explosive material deposited in and/or on an inner wall thereof, includes placing a flexible hose containing a non-explosive pyrotechnic composition within the conduit or vessel, and burning the pyrotechnic composition. According to various embodiments, the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition can be a composition that burns, combusts, or deflagrates, at a rate that enables it to be classified as a D.O.T. class 1.4 explosive posing no significant detonation or blast hazard and that can be shipped to various locations using relatively inexpensive shipping means.

1 . A conduit-clearing pyrotechnic device, comprising: 
 a flexible hose; and    a non-explosive pyrotechnic composition disposed within the flexible hose, the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition comprising a fuel, an oxidizer, and a binder.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including an ignition mechanism adapted to ignite the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the ignition mechanism comprises a device selected from one or more of an electric time fuse, a non-electric time fuse, black powder, an electric squib, a rocket motor igniter, an electric match, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the ignition mechanism extends along the entire length of the flexible hose and is adapted to cause ignition of the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition along the entire length of the flexible hose and over a period of time that does not exceed 10 seconds.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel comprises a metal selected from one or more of aluminum, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizer comprises a material selected from one or more of a chlorate, a perchlorate, a chromate, a dichromate, a halocarbon, an iodate, a nitrate, an oxide, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a material selected from one or more of paraffin wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, chinese wax, boiled linseed oil, lithographic varnish, shellac, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a material selected from one or more of bakelite resin, polyester resin, chlorinated rubber, polyvinylchloride, thiokol rubber, epoxy resin, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition comprises a pressed pellet.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises an organic solvent.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises acetone and a powdered polymer.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of binder to the pyrotechnic composition is less than about 1:1.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition meets the requirements of Department of Transportation 2004 Explosive Classification 1.4.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hose comprises a material selected from one or more of a common garden hose, a soaker hose, a hose made from recycled tires, a hollow braided synthetic rope, a hollow braided natural fiber rope, a nylon tubing, a silicon tubing, a PVC tubing, a reinforced paper or cardboard tubing, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises less than about 20% by weight of the total weight of the non-explosive pyrotechnic composition.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises less than about 10% by weight of the total weight of the pyrotechnic composition.  
   
   
       17 . A method of decontaminating a sewer line or vessel, comprising: 
 placing a non-explosive pyrotechnic material in a sewer line or vessel, wherein the sewer line or vessel comprises an explosive material deposited in, on, or in and on, an inner wall of the sewer line or vessel, the deposited explosive material having a break down temperature; and    burning the non-explosive pyrotechnic material to achieve an inner wall temperature at or in excess of the break down temperature for a period of time sufficient to break down the explosive material.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the break down of the explosive material comprises a process selected from one or more of reduction, combustion, deflagration, oxidation, pyrolization, degradation, decomposition, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-explosive pyrotechnic material is in the form of at least one of pellets and granules loaded inside a flexible hose.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of placing the non-explosive pyrotechnic material in the sewer line or vessel comprises placing the flexible hose containing the non-explosive pyrotechnic material inside the sewer line or vessel along a length of the sewer line, and wherein the flexible hose further contains an ignition mechanism therein and extends along a length of the flexible hose.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sewer line or vessel comprises an above ground or underground storage tank.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sewer line or vessel comprises a sanitary waste line.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sewer line or vessel comprises an industrial pipeline.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sewer line or vessel comprises a storm drain line.