Apparatus for electrochemical ammunition disposal and material recovery

Abstract

An apparatus for electrochemical ammunition disposal and material recovery, the apparatus comprises: a vessel for holding an acidic aqueous solution: an anode at least partially immersed in the acidic aqueous solution: physically separated from the anode, a movable cathode at least partially immersed in the aqueous solution, wherein the movable cathode in a first position has a first surface which is not-immersed in the aqueous solution: a cleaning implement to remove material on the first surface of the cathode; and a power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode.

1 . An apparatus for electrochemical ammunition disposal and material recovery, the apparatus comprising:
 a vessel for holding an acidic aqueous solution;   an anode at least partially immersed in the acidic aqueous solution;   physically separated from the anode, a movable cathode at least partially immersed in the aqueous solution, wherein the movable cathode in a first position has a first surface which is not-immersed in the aqueous solution;   a cleaning implement to remove material on the first surface of the cathode; and   a power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning implement is a cleaning edge that is placed against the first surface, such that, by relative movement of the cathode against the cleaning edge, material on the surface can be removed from the cathode. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the cathode is cylindrical and is moveable against the cleaning edge by rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the cleaning edge is positioned such that material removed from the cathode surface can be collected in a collection container and is prevented from re-entering the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the cleaning edge is electrically insulating. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of any  claim 1  having a hollow, solution permeable container wherein the anode is located within the hollow, solution permeable container. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the anode is a piece of conductive metal electrically connected to a power source by a coated wire dangling into the hollow, solution permeable container the coated wire being physically and electrically connected to the anode. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the hollow, solution permeable container comprises an electrically insulating, porous shell. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the hollow, solution permeable container has a first end and a second end and a perimeter surface extending from the first end to the second end and the hollow-solution permeable container is mounted with the first end and second end horizontal to each other and to enable rotation of the container to provide agitation of contents of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a motor to rotate the hollow-solution permeable container. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the anode comprises ammunition to be disposed. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising an agitator to agitate ammunition to be disposed in the acidic aqueous solution. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus  claim 1  comprising a motor to rotate the cathode. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a drain for the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for electrochemical ammunition disposal and material recovery, the apparatus comprising:
 a vessel for holding an acidic aqueous solution;   a hollow, solution permeable container capable of holding ammunition wherein an anode which is at least partially immersed in the acidic aqueous solution is located within the hollow solution permeable container and electrically connected to a power source by a coated wire dangling into the hollow, solution permeable container the coated wire being physically and electrically connected to the anode, and wherein the hollow, solution-permeable container has a first end and a second end and a perimeter surface extending from the first end to the second end as is mounted with the first end and second end horizontal to each other and to enable rotation of the container on an axis from the first end to the second end to provide agitation of contents of the container and a door on the container can be opened to enable placement and removal of ammunition from the hollow, solution permeable container;   physically separated from the hollow, solution permeable container, a movable cylindrical cathode at least partially immersed in the aqueous solution, wherein the movable cathode in a first position has a surface which is not-immersed in the aqueous solution,   a cleaning edge that is placed against the surface, such that, by rotation of the cathode against the cleaning edge, material on the surface can be removed from the cathode;   a power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode,   at least one motor for rotating the cathode and the anode.   
     
     
         16 . A method for recovery of materials from and disposal of ammunition comprising
 a. providing a vessel containing an acidic aqueous solution and a rotatable cathode which is partially immersed in the acidic aqueous solution where rotation of the cathode causes a portion of the cathode to be immersed and another portion to not be immersed in the acidic aqueous solution;   b. placing ammunition in the acidic aqueous solution; wherein either the ammunition or a separate metal element at least partially immersed in the acidic aqueous solution serves as an anode;   and wherein the ammunition comprises at least one metal which dissolves in the acidic aqueous solution when a voltage is applied and which has a positive standard reduction potential;   c, applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode to dissolve the at least one metal and deposit the at least one metal ono the cathode;   d. cleaning the deposited at least one metal from the portion of the cathode not immersed in the acidic aqueous solution.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  where cleaning step comprises moving the cathode against an electrically insulating cleaning edge. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the moving comprises rotating the cathode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the cleaning occurs during applying a voltage. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the cleaning occurs after applying a voltage.