Munitions and ordnance remediation blanket (morb) and methods of using same

Abstract

A Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) includes: an impermeable outer layer made of plastic or similar fiber; a Commercial blasting mat layer; a MUNIREM reagent in powder or solution layering acting as an instant explosives neutralization reagent; and a commercial water-soluble seal on the opposing outer layer. Using a Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) includes the steps of: locating an underwater UXO; exposing the MORB to the unexploded ordnance fillers using one or more breaching mechanisms; enclosing the breached/decaying/leaching point source emitter with the MORB; anchoring the MORB to the seafloor or a sturdy fixture which allows water to permeate the water soluble cover material to dissolve membrane and create contact between energetics, reagent, and water; leaving the MORB in place for the reaction to proceed to completion; and recovering the metal casing for recycling.

1 . Method for using a Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) comprising the steps of:
 locating an underwater UXO;   exposing the MORB to the unexploded ordnance;
 for a decaying/leaking point source ordnance, covering the breached/decaying/leaching point source emitter with the MORB; or 
 using one or more breaching mechanisms to create a point source emitter; 
   enclosing the breached/decaying/leaching point source emitter with the MORB;   enclosing the breached/decaying/leaching point source emitter with the MORB;   anchoring the MORB to the seafloor or a sturdy fixture;   allowing water to permeate the water-soluble cover material to dissolve membrane;   creating a contact between energetics, reagent, and water;   leaving the MORB in place for the reaction to proceed to completion; and   recovering the metal casing for recycling.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method for breaching the unexploded ordnance is by abrasive water jet cutting. 
     
     
         3 . Method for using a Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) comprising the steps of:
 locating an underwater UXO;   affixing a low order charge to the located underwater UXO;   enclosing the UXO in a MORB;   anchoring the MORB to the seafloor or similar;   setting the charge off to crack open or breach the ordnance;   leaving the underwater UXO; and MORB in place for the reaction to proceed to completion; and   recovering the metal casing and recycle.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, if on land, further comprising the step of
 adding water to saturate and initiate explosives neutralization reaction by a reagent.   
     
     
         5 . Method for using a Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) comprising the steps of:
 locating an UXO on Land;   enclosing the UXO in a MORB;   submerging the MORB enclosed UXO in a large tank of water or lagoon;   anchoring the MORB to the ground or similar fixture;   breaching the UXO;   adding water to saturate and initiate explosives neutralization reaction by a reagent in the MORB; and   leaving the UXO and MORB in place for the reaction to proceed to completion.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Munitions and Ordnance Remediation Blanket (MORB) is comprised of
 a remediation blanket having a two-layer outer surface;
 an impermeable first outer membrane layer made of plastic or similar fiber; and 
 a water-soluble seal acting as the second, opposing outer layer; 
   a safety blasting mat layer, internally located adjacent to the impermeable first outer layer; and   one or more neutralization reagents internally located between the blasting mat layer and the second, opposing outer water-soluble seal layer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the blasting mat is either a wire rope blasting mat or a polymer membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second, opposing outer layer is constructed from either
 water-soluble packaging; or   PVA water-soluble bags.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more neutralization reagents are in powder or solution form. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second, opposing outer layer is constructed from water-soluble packaging or PVA water-soluble bags. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the neutralization reagent provides instant explosives neutralization. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the neutralization reagent is in slow release tablet form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the neutralization reagent is coated with a slow decay polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the neutralization reagent comprises hydrosulfite and other constituents including black carbon, metal carbonates, and hydroxides. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the neutralization reagent
 is in slow release tablet form; or   is coated with a slow decay polymer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein one or more other abiotic munitions neutralization reagents are combined in the reagent layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the neutralization reagents include black carbon plus sulfide, metal reductants, and zero valent iron.