Desensitizing explosive materials using a vacuum vessel

Abstract

A system and method for desensitizing an explosive material using a vacuum vessel having an enclosed volume. The explosive material is placed in the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel, and immersed in a desensitizing liquid also in the enclosed volume. The pressure in the enclosed volume is reduced with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions to at least partially saturate the explosive material with the desensitizing liquid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for desensitizing an explosive material using a vacuum vessel having an enclosed volume, the method comprising:
 placing the explosive material in the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel, immersing the explosive material in a desensitizing liquid in the enclosed volume; and   reducing the pressure in the enclosed volume with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions to at least partially saturate the explosive material with the desensitizing liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the pressure of the enclosed volume includes applying a vacuum of at least 10 inches of mercury (Hg) to the enclosed volume. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the pressure of the enclosed volume includes applying a vacuum of at least 29 inches of mercury (Hg) with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the pressure of the enclosed volume includes applying a vacuum of at least 10 inches of mercury (Hg) to the enclosed volume for at least 1 minute. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the pressure of the enclosed volume includes applying a vacuum of at least 29 inches of mercury (Hg) to the enclosed volume for at least 10 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 venting the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel to atmospheric pressure conditions; and   reducing the pressure in the interior enclosed volume with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions for a subsequent time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removing the explosive material from the vacuum vessel; and   incinerating the explosive material.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 weighing the explosive material to obtain a pre-treatment weight;   weighing the explosive material after having reduced the pressure to obtain a post-treatment weight; and   if the difference between the pre-treatment weight and the post-treatment weight exceeds a threshold, reducing the pressure of in the enclosed volume for a subsequent time.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desensitizing liquid is a flammable or combustible liquid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the explosive material is a pyrotechnic composition contained in a pyrotechnic device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the explosive material is placed in a perforated basket and the perforated basket is placed in the interior enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desensitizing liquid is added to the enclosed volume after explosive material is placed in the enclosed volume. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desensitizing liquid is added to the enclosed volume before explosive material is placed in the enclosed volume, and wherein the explosive material is immersed in the desensitizing liquid as it is placed in the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel. 
     
     
         14 . A method for desensitizing an explosive material using a vacuum vessel having an enclosed volume, the method comprising:
 weighing the explosive material to obtain a pre-treatment weight;   placing the explosive material in the vacuum vessel;   immersing the explosive material in a desensitizing liquid in the enclosed volume;   reducing the pressure in the interior enclosed volume with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions to at least partially saturate the explosive material with the desensitizing liquid;   weighing the partially saturated explosive material to obtain a post-treatment weight; and   if the difference between the pre-treatment weight and the post-treatment weight exceeds a threshold, reducing the pressure in the enclosed volume for a subsequent period of time.   
     
     
         15 . A system for desensitizing an explosive material, the system comprising:
 a vacuum vessel having an enclosed volume;   a desensitizing liquid at least partially filling the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel;   an explosive material disposed within the enclosed volume and at least partially immersed in the desensitizing liquid; and   a vacuum source pneumatically connected to the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel, the vacuum source configured to reduce the pressure in the enclosed volume with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel is at a reduced pressure of at least 10 inches of mercury (Hg) with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosed volume of the vacuum vessel is at a reduced pressure of at least 29 inches of mercury (Hg) with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum vessel comprises:
 a vessel base;   a vessel lid resting on the vessel base forming a vacuum seal between the vessel base and the vessel lid, wherein the vessel lid is not mechanically attached or fixed to the vessel base.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the vessel lid is configured to lift in response to the enclosed volume having a positive pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure conditions, wherein the positive pressure is sufficient to counteract the weight of the vessel lid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the vessel lid includes an o-ring for creating a vacuum seal between the vessel lid and the vessel base.