EP3978862A1 - Mobile defusing chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a delaboration chamber 10, 11, with the delaboration chamber 10, 11 having an outer housing 20, with the outer housing 20 being closable with a removable cover 30, with the delaboration chamber 10, 11 having an inner floor 40, with below the Inner floor 40 is formed by the inner floor 40 and the outer housing 20, a first chamber area 50, the first chamber area 50 being filled with a free-flowing or solid medium, the inner floor 40 having a recess 110 for receiving an explosive object, wherein the cover 30 is connected to the outer housing 20 in a shockproof manner, the cover 30 having a pressure relief 60, the pressure relief 60 having at least one deflection for the detonation gases.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the safe dismantling of recovered ordnance, ammunition, ammunition parts and the like. Delaboration includes the process from salvage to transport, shredding to destruction, for example by incineration.

In the world's oceans, especially in the North and Baltic Seas, there are large amounts of ordnance in the broadest sense. Some of these are objects that have been deployed in a targeted manner, such as sea mines, for example anchor rope mines, or dropped bombs. It is also about duds, which were used in combat operations, but which have not been implemented. Furthermore, very large quantities of ordnance were dumped just after the end of the war. Especially the latter also includes weapons with chemical warfare agents. These objects range in size from rifle or machine gun ammunition to mines, naval artillery shells and bombs. It is suspected that there are at least 5 million suspected objects in the North Sea and Baltic Sea that could be such ammunition. In German territorial waters alone, it is currently assumed that there are around 1.6 million t of conventional contaminated sites.

Many of these objects have now been in saline water for over 75 years. As a result, this ammunition is often in an undefined state of decomposition, particularly with regard to leak-tightness, the chemical stability of the explosives it contains and transport safety. This leads to procedural difficulties when dealing with these objects, which makes it significantly more difficult to process these legacy issues.

On the one hand, the ammunition poses a great danger. For example, chemical substances, such as war gases, can escape over time due to corrosion, which poses a great threat to the ecosystem. Ships can also come into contact with the ammunition and inadvertently trigger it. For example, in the case of anchor rope mines there is a risk that the chain connecting the mine to the ground will be separated and the mine will become a floating mine and can thus also reach areas that are thought to be safe, for example a fairway. Resigned and to the White phosphorus washed up on beaches regularly causes injuries. Therefore, it would be desirable to remove all objects.

On the other hand, however, the evacuation is very critical, since the ordnance has to be touched, moved and dismantled. With all these actions there is an increased risk that there will be a reaction with the explosives. It is therefore advantageous to minimize the number of movements.

If a suspicious object is found, a decision must be made after an inspection as to whether the object is transportable or can be made. For example, duds can be made transportable by removing the detonator if necessary. In Germany, the decision to assess whether an object is transportable is a sovereign task that can be performed, for example, by explosive ordnance clearance services on behalf of the state government.

Objects that are safe to transport must then be transported for delaboration. However, many objects are too large to be sent directly to further disposal, for example to incineration, since the quantity of explosives simultaneously fed to the incineration would then be too high for the process to be reliably controlled. Therefore, these objects are divided, for example by cutting.

From the WO 2007/068020 A1 a transportable system for defusing ammunition containing fluid warfare agents is known.

From the DE 10 2018 119 339 A1 a method and a device for defusing a dud lying under water is known.

From the DE 39 13 479 C1 a method and a system for dismantling toxic and/or explosive objects, in particular chemical weapons, is known.

However, various technical problems of these existing approaches have not yet been solved, so solutions must be found that can be used reliably for the large number of objects to be cleared. It would therefore be desirable to To minimize the transport route of an object found under water and to dismantle the object safely and with minimization of movements. However, the problem here is that it is much more difficult at sea to implement appropriate structural measures, for example bunkers or earthworks, since the weight would far exceed that which a floating platform could bear. Furthermore, these measures cannot be transferred to the available space, for example and in particular safety distances cannot be chosen to be of any reasonable size.

This is also desirable because moving and landing ammunition or ammunition parts whose condition is not defined is already problematic or even impossible. Furthermore, ammunition that is located outside the sovereign areas, i.e. outside the territorial sea of the 12-mile zone, can sometimes be difficult or impossible to bring ashore for legal reasons. A shipment of ammunition and especially chemical weapons from outside this area into the sovereign territory of a state can already be legally problematic or impossible, for example on the basis of the Chemical Weapons Convention and national laws.

It must therefore be taken into account, especially at each critical process step, that there is a risk that the entire quantity of explosive is converted at once. In particular, this risk exists in principle at times when mechanical work is being done on the object. In this context, it must be taken into account that, especially in the case of an application at sea, space and weight are not available to an unlimited extent and therefore the protection of the other equipment, the personnel, but also in particular the supporting platform must be ensured in such a contingency . Of course, it must also be taken into account that shrapnel generated by an explosion in particular poses a significant threat.

From the U.S. 6,881,383 B1 a delaboration system for chemical warfare agents is known.

From the DE 103 28 154 A1 a bomb shelter is known.

From the WO 2012/082 002 A1 a detonation chamber arrangement is known.

From the U.S. 2015/0 266 667 A1 a device for suppressing detonations is known.

From the DE 10 2016 115 468 A1 a method and a device for the disposal of a submerged ordnance is known.

The object of the invention is to create a device that allows safe dismantling and, in particular, the comminution of the objects at sea.

This object is achieved by the delaboration chamber having the features specified in claim 1, the buoyant delaboration platform having the features specified in claim 9 and by the method having the features specified in claim 12. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

The delaboration chamber according to the invention has an outer housing. The outer housing can be closed with a removable cover. The delaboration chamber has an inner floor, with a first chamber area being formed below the inner floor by the inner floor and the outer housing. The first chamber area is preferably closed. The first chamber area is filled with a flowable or solid medium. For example and preferably, the first chamber area is filled with concrete, sand or water. Correspondingly, the delaboration chamber has a second chamber region, which is delimited by the inner floor and the removable cover and, in between, by the outer wall of the delaboration chamber. The second chamber area is thus the effective working space used within the delaboration chamber. The inner floor has a recess for receiving an explosive object. The depression divides the second chamber area into an upper second chamber area and a lower second chamber area. The upper second chamber area is completely above the inner floor, the lower second chamber area is delimited laterally and downwards by the inner floor and is only open at the top and connected there to the upper second chamber area. here the explosive object (ordnance) is entirely within the cavity and thus within the lower second chamber area. In other words, the depression and thus the lower second chamber area is shaped in such a way that even the largest explosive object to be accommodated (the ordnance) is arranged completely within the depression and thus within the lower second chamber area and is thus completely surrounded laterally by the first chamber area . The recess is laterally surrounded by the first chamber area. As a result, in the event of an unwanted detonation, part of the pressure wave would be directed against the inner floor and thus against the filling of the first chamber area, which thus shields the explosive object (the ordnance) from below and to the side. The pressure wave of an explosion would thus be directed upwards and thus against the lid. This efficiently protects neighboring facilities or even people. This geometry is intended to deflect the pressure wave from the detonation at least partially against the area with the lowest resistance, i.e. upwards. When closed, the cover is connected to the outer housing in a shockproof manner. This keeps the lid in place even in the event of a detonation. The lid is openable to reveal an opening at the top of the delaboration chamber. This allows for easy lowering and lifting of an explosive object (ordnance). The explosive object (the ordnance) can thus be lifted into the delaboration chamber directly and immediately after recovery and does not first have to be put down and then, in a further step, brought into the delaboration chamber from the side. This drastically reduces the risk of an accidental explosion during insertion. The cover has a pressure relief, the pressure relief having at least one deflection for the detonation gases produced when an explosive object explodes. The purpose of the pressure relief is to divert the gases and pressures produced by a detonation in a targeted manner. Despite the high pressure, these gases need to be diverted to prevent shrapnel from escaping the delaboration chamber and damaging other equipment or even injuring personnel.

Under a shock-resistant connection, the expert understands a connection, which also in the event of a shock, for example the explosion of an explosive object (ordnance) inside or an explosion outside, for example by Fire (rather in the case of a warship) withstands the load and also ensures a secure connection even after the impact of the shock. The forces acting in the event of a shock are specified, for example, by legal requirements, corresponding standards and customer specifications.

A deflection within the meaning of the invention is any device which deflects a gas flow and thus prevents the gas flow from being guided in a straight line. The reason for this is that shrapnel, for example, moves in a straight line after a detonation and should not escape through the pressure relief. The pressure relief can be designed, for example, in a spiral shape or as a labyrinth with right-angled deflections.

A removable cover can be lifted, folded or pushed within the meaning of the invention, for example. It is essential that the cover can be removed in such a way that an ordnance can be lifted into the delaboration chamber from above. After closing, however, the cover must be firmly connected to the outer housing so that the cover does not become detached from the outer housing even in the event of an accidental detonation of the ordnance. Because that would turn the lid itself into a projectile. Due to the high mechanical requirements when closed, a sliding cover is preferred. For this purpose, the cover is brought horizontally into a position next to the delaboration chamber in order to open the delaboration chamber. The cover can either be part of the top of the delaboration chamber. The lid can alternatively form the entire top of the delaboration chamber. The cover can also be designed in such a way that it not only forms the entire upper side of the delaboration chamber, but also parts of the vertical wall of the outer housing of the delaboration chamber.

In addition to liquids, a flowable medium also includes flowable solids, in particular loose beds. For example, sand or gravel are a flowable medium within the meaning of the invention. In the event of a shock, deformation is possible due to a flowable medium, while at the same time power transmission is still possible.

The outer housing and the cover preferably have at least protection against 20 mm "Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSP)" according to MIL-DTL-46593. The weight of the shrapnel is approximately 54 g, with shrapnel having a defined kinetic energy, for example at least 67 kJ, having to be held back safely. This corresponds to protection class G9 according to NATO Standard STANAG 2920. The protective effect can be influenced in both directions by adapting the design and the choice of materials, so that depending on the size of objects, different chambers could also be used. Significantly higher protection classes would therefore also be conceivable. This makes sense, since the large amount of ordnance is rather small, but the few large ordnance are comparatively problematic.

In one embodiment of the invention, the recess has a receiving position for a pallet. The pick-up position preferably ensures that the pallet and, with the pallet, an ordnance introduced on the pallet are in a predefined position in the delaboration chamber, in particular in a defined position relative to a cutting device. In particular, the pick-up position has guide elements in order to guide a pallet into a predefined position within the depression when it is introduced. The weapon is thus brought into a fixed spatial relationship with other components, such as a cutting device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inner base is a removable base container, as a result of which the first chamber region is formed by inserting the base container. For this purpose, the bottom container particularly preferably has a closable opening, preferably made at a high point, for example in a wall of the bottom container, in order to be able to fill a medium or a precursor forming the medium into the first chamber area. An example of a precursor forming the medium can be liquid concrete that has not yet hardened or a monomer or oligomer which is polymerized in the first chamber region. In the case of a hardening precursor, the hardened medium itself can also cause the opening to close.

In a further alternative embodiment, the inner floor and the first chamber area are formed by a chamber container. For example, the chamber container is a hollow body that can be filled with water or sand, for example, preferably after it has been inserted into the delaboration chamber. For this purpose, the chamber container preferably has a closable opening, which is preferably arranged at a high point of the chamber container.

In a further embodiment, the cover is designed as a hollow body which can be filled with a flowable medium. The cavity in the lid can itself be designed to be leak-tight for the flowable medium, or the medium is introduced into the cavity in a container, for example a leak-proof bag. A cover designed as a hollow body particularly preferably has additional stiffeners between the upper side and the underside, for example in the form of ring stiffeners or diagonal stiffeners. The pressure relief is in this embodiment connected between the top and bottom of the lid to allow gas passage. A fire-retardant medium is particularly preferably used here as the flowable medium, in the simplest case water.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has at least one separating device. The separating device is preferably a cutting device. More preferably, the cutting device is a water jet device. Alternatively, preferably, the cutting device is a band saw. In a further embodiment, the delaboration chamber has two cutting devices, one being designed as a water jet device and the other as a band saw. In the embodiment of a water jet device, the delaboration chamber has a water outlet, with the water outlet preferably running through the inner base, the first chamber region and the outer housing. If the cutting device is a water jet device, the pressure pump for generating the water under high pressure is preferably arranged outside the delaboration chamber. The pressure pump is preferably arranged below the top level of the inner floor. The pressure pump is thus protected particularly efficiently against pressure waves. A pressure pump can also submerge two or more cutting devices in two or more delaboration chambers with water supply high pressure. The cutting device is particularly preferably remotely controllable and can be operated from a remote control device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cutting device is connected to a gripping device. The cutting device and the gripping device are preferably arranged on a robot arm. The gripping device creates a non-positive connection to the munitions, so that the forces generated when the munitions are cut through by the cutting device are not dissipated by the robot arm, but directly into the munitions. This is particularly preferred when dividing large and heavy ordnance.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has at least one first chamber lifting device. The chamber lifting device is used to lift out of the recess ammunition parts that have been severed from an ordnance.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief is ensured by one or more outlet openings in the cover, it being possible for the outlet openings to be preferably designed as predetermined breaking points. The outlet openings can be circular, for example. The predetermined breaking point fails at a defined gas pressure as a result of an unwanted detonation during delaboration and releases a nozzle-shaped outlet. Various metal sheets are arranged in the nozzle-shaped outlet, which, in their function as baffles, ensure that the resulting explosive gas is deflected and slowed down. As a result, the resulting explosion gases escape upwards in a targeted manner, so that the neighboring components of the delaboration platform are protected. The arrangement of the guide plates in the outlet also provides protection against the escape of shrapnel. In particular, the predetermined breaking point can be circular. Alternatively, it can be provided that the predetermined breaking point is movably fastened to the cover and prevented from moving via an overload safety device, the overload safety device being dimensioned in such a way that it fails when pressure is applied before the cover gives way overall. For example, it may be a hinged cover secured against rotation with a shear pin.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the inner base has a flat storage surface, the storage surface being arranged above the depression for receiving an explosive object (ordnance). As a result, ammunition fragments can be stored in an area not directly affected by a detonation and the chance is increased that they may not be deployed during the detonation, thereby reducing the overall damage.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber is connected to a gas cleaning system. If the munition is a weapon containing a chemical warfare agent, there is a high probability that it will be released when the munition fragments. It is therefore desirable to be able to remove the chemical warfare agent from the air in the delaboration chamber before it is opened and the chemical warfare agents would be released directly into the atmosphere. In the simplest case, the air is fed into a combustion chamber or directly into a torch via a simple suction system and rendered harmless by burning. Alternatively or additionally, filters, for example activated carbon filters, can be used.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief is connected to a gas cleaning system. This has the advantage that even in the event of an unintentional detonation of a weapon containing a chemical warfare agent, there is no release and there is no risk to people.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has an X-ray device. In particular, the x-ray device is used to identify ordnance that contains ordnance that cannot or should not be processed in the delaboration chamber and to refrain from crushing this ordnance. For example, ordnance identified in this way can be incendiary bombs with white phosphorus, which would start burning on contact with air. Likewise, chemical warfare agents can be identified which cannot be safely destroyed by the facilities. Here, too, it is advantageous if there is no comminution.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has at least one sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents. For example and in particular, the sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents is designed to detect a warfare agent from the group of ABC warfare agents. If a release occurs within the decontamination chamber, which is detected by the sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents, the decontamination chamber can preferably remain closed until decontamination. The sensor can preferably be arranged in the suction system.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the delaboration chamber has a lifting platform on which ammunition parts can be placed directly or in containers, in particular in combustible boxes, in particular in cardboard boxes. After opening the cover, the lifting platform can then accept the ammunition parts, for example at the level of the cover, so that they can be removed more easily. For example, the lifting platform can be connected to a conveyor system, for example a roller conveyor system, in order to transport the ammunition parts further.

If the first chamber area is filled with a solid medium, for example concrete, the first chamber area and the outer housing can also form a unit in a further embodiment of the invention, for example by pouring liquid concrete into the outer housing and Curing connects to the outer case.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a buoyant delaboration platform. A buoyant platform within the meaning of the invention can be, for example, a ship, a pontoon, a barge, a raft, a semi-submersible platform or a jack-up platform.

The buoyant dismantling platform has at least one first lifting device, at least one first dismantling chamber according to the invention and at least one first destruction system, for example and preferably an incineration device.

The great advantage of such a buoyant delaboration platform is, on the one hand, that the number of times a weapon has to be transported until it is finally destroyed is reduced to a minimum, thus reducing the risk of an unwanted detonation. On the other hand, it is also possible to destroy objects that are not completely chemically known. Otherwise, each object would have to be tested at great expense before being transported in order to be able to guarantee transport safety. Furthermore, objects, such as chemical warfare agents, found outside the 12-mile zone can be destroyed without having to import them into a country.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant dismantling platform has at least a first platform area and a second platform area. The at least one first delaboration chamber is arranged in the first platform area and the at least one destruction unit, preferably the first combustion device, is arranged in the second platform area. At least one first protective element is arranged between the first platform area and the second platform area, wherein the at least one first protective element has a surface. The surface of the protective element has an angle of 120° to 150° to the surface of the first platform area and an angle of 30° to 60° to the surface of the second platform area. As a result, a pressure wave originating from a detonation in a delaboration chamber would be deflected upwards and the combustion device located behind would thus be protected.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant dismantling platform has a transport device for transporting ammunition parts from the at least one first dismantling chamber to the at least one first combustion device. The transport device can, for example, be a conveyor belt, transport rail or other continuous device Be a transport system on which the ammunition parts rest directly or transport containers in which the ammunition parts are located. The conveyor belt can be controlled automatically.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant delaboration platform has double bulkheads and/or static bulkheads and/or reinforced structures within the delaboration platform. This serves to limit the impact on an area of the delaboration platform in the event of a damage event.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant dismantling platform has at least one first pre-disassembly dismantling chamber in addition to the at least one first dismantling chamber according to the invention. The at least one first pre-decomposition delaboration chamber is constructed in principle like the delaboration chamber according to the invention. In this embodiment, large ordnance is first introduced into the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber and coarsely comminuted there, in particular with a band saw into slices of uniform width. The large ordnance dismantled in this way is then transferred from the first pre-dismantling delaboration chamber to the first delaboration chamber, where it is further reduced to the size required for final destruction. Thus, the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber and the first disassembly chamber differ preferably by a different separating device for comminuting the ordnance. For example, the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber has a cutting device in the form of a band saw, which is suitable for slicing even large objects, for example sea mines or bombs weighing more than one ton, into slices of uniform thickness. The first disassembly chamber then preferably has a smaller separating device than the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber, which is designed to further disassemble the slices that were produced in the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber. Likewise, ordnance, which are in particular smaller than the slices that are produced in the first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber, can be introduced directly into the delaboration chamber. This means that munitions of very different sizes can be processed easily.

The first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber can, for example, dispense with a device for transporting the ordnance. For example, the ordnance can be brought into the first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber on a pallet and disassembled on this pallet. All slices can then be brought together on the pallet from the first pre-disassembly disassembly chamber together into the first disassembly chamber by means of the pallet. For example, they can be lifted from the first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber into the first delaboration chamber using a lifting device, or they can be transported between the two chambers by means of a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor.

In contrast to this, the first delaboration chamber has, for example, a device for isolating the parts of the munitions in order to then be able to send them to destruction, in particular to incineration.

A further advantage of this embodiment with at least one first delaboration chamber and at least one first pre-decomposition delaboration chamber is that the numerical ratio between the pre-decomposition delaboration chambers and the delaboration chambers can be adjusted to the expected size distribution. If one were to assume, for example, that in terms of weight only less than 25% of the ordnance will be of a size that requires pre-disassembly, four delaboration chambers could be combined with one pre-disassembly delaboration chamber.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant dismantling platform has an intermediate storage facility in which the ammunition sections which have been removed from the dismantling chamber can be temporarily stored. As a result, the destruction process can be made more uniform, for example. For example, there is no need to salvage ordnance at night for safety reasons, but an incineration device can continue to be operated continuously.

1. a) Heben eines Kampfmittels aus dem Wasser mittels der wenigstens einen ersten Hebevorrichtung,
2. b) Verschwenken des Kampfmittels über die wenigstens eine erste Delaborationskammer, wobei die Delaborationskammer auf der schwimmfähigen Delaborationsplattform angeordnet ist und wobei beispielsweise und bevorzugt der Deckel der wenigstens einen ersten Delaborationskammer geöffnet ist,
3. c) Senkrechtes Absenken des Kampfmittels in die wenigstens eine erste Delaborationskammer in die Vertiefung des inneren Bodens,
4. d) Verschließen der wenigstens einen ersten Delaborationskammer, beispielsweise und bevorzugt mit dem Deckel,
5. e) Zerteilen des Kampfmittels innerhalb der Delaborationskammer, wobei ein Munitionsteilstück, bevorzugt in einer Größe von 5 kg bis 10 kg, abgetrennt wird,
6. f) Wiederholen des Schrittes e) bis das Kampfmittel soweit zerlegt ist, dass es weiter verarbeitet werden kann,
7. g) Öffnen der wenigstens einen ersten Delaborationskammer, beispielsweise und bevorzugt durch Entfernen des Deckels,
8. h) Herausheben der Munitionsteilstücke aus der wenigstens einen ersten Delaborationskammer,
9. i) Transport der Munitionsteilstücke zur wenigstens einen ersten Vernichtungseinrichtung, insbesondere einer ersten Verbrennungsvorrichtung,
10. j) Verbrennung der Munitionsteilstücke in der wenigstens einen ersten Verbrennungsvorrichtung.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for destroying submerged ordnance using a buoyant delaboration platform according to the invention. The procedure has the following steps:

1. a) lifting an ordnance out of the water by means of the at least one first lifting device,
2. b) Pivoting the munitions over the at least one first delaboration chamber, wherein the delaboration chamber is arranged on the buoyant delaboration platform and wherein, for example and preferably, the cover of the at least one first delaboration chamber is open,
3. c) Vertically lowering the ordnance into the at least one first delaboration chamber into the recess of the inner floor,
4. d) closing the at least one first delaboration chamber, for example and preferably with the lid,
5. e) cutting up the explosive ordnance within the delaboration chamber, with a piece of ammunition, preferably with a size of 5 kg to 10 kg, being cut off,
6. f) repeating step e) until the ordnance has been dismantled to the extent that it can be further processed,
7. g) opening the at least one first delaboration chamber, for example and preferably by removing the lid,
8. h) lifting the ammunition parts out of the at least one first delaboration chamber,
9. i) transport of the ammunition parts to at least one first destruction device, in particular a first combustion device,
10. j) Combustion of the ammunition parts in the at least one first combustion device.

The great advantage of the method according to the invention is that the legal requirements for handling ammunition are met and the transport of a weapon is minimized. It is lifted out of the water in one action and placed directly in the delaboration chamber. Further interim storage and transport can thus be avoided. Every relocation and every transport represents an additional risk that an unwanted detonation will occur.

Because the explosive ordnance is completely broken up into small, directly combustible pieces of ammunition, subsequent processing and final destruction is comparatively simple. The delaboration chamber is closed during all intermediate steps in the fragmentation of the ordnance, so that all risky steps are carried out in such a way that the protection of the buoyant delaboration platform and the environment has a high priority. The ordnance is then completely dismantled when it has been broken down into such small parts that further processing of all individual parts and thus of the entire ordnance is possible. For example, can be burned in an incinerator without damaging it.

The transport of the ammunition parts to at least one first destruction device, in particular a first combustion device, in step i) can also include intermediate storage. This can be used, for example, to equalize the material flow fed, for example, to a kiln. The transport can also take place in several partial steps and also by means of different transport devices. For example, a first transport step can consist of lifting out, which can be done, for example, by means of a crane or a lifting platform. A horizontal conveyor system can also be used, for example.

For practical reasons, the lifting in step a) can also be carried out by another vessel. In this case, between step a) and step b) there is still a transport to the buoyant delaboration platform. The advantage of this is that the buoyant delaboration platform has to be moved less, the disadvantage is that a second watercraft is required.

The fragmentation of the explosive ordnance in step e) within the delaboration chamber is preferably carried out in such a way that the ammunition fragments have a size of 5 kg to 10 kg, which currently represents an optimum. This size can be easily processed by the incinerators currently in use. If the ammunition fragments are too large, the energy released in the short term is too great. Unnecessary dissection is laborious and unnecessary dangerous. However, if other incinerators are used, the size of the ammunition fragments will be adjusted to their specifications.

Step f) is repeated until the munition has been dismantled to such an extent that it can be further processed, ie completely dismantled into ammunition parts which can be burned in the combustion device. Usually, the size of the ammunition parts is currently 5 kg to 10 kg. If, for example, a weapon weighing 100 kg is to be divided, it can be divided into 10 pieces of ammunition, each weighing 10 kg. Then the ordnance is completely broken down into ammunition parts that can be further processed.

In step c), the vertical lowering is advantageous. As a result, the ordnance is introduced in a single movement not only into the delaboration chamber, but also into the final position within the recess, within the lower second chamber area, without a second movement, for example lateral introduction, being necessary. This can significantly reduce the risk of an unwanted explosion.

The at least one first lifting device preferably has a lifting and recovery tool suitable for transporting ordnance.

• m) Verschwenken des Kampfmittels über die wenigstens eine erste Vorzerlegungsdelaborationskammer, wobei die Vorzerlegungsdelaborationskammer auf der schwimmfähigen Delaborationsplattform angeordnet ist und wobei der Deckel der wenigstens einen ersten Delaborationskammer geöffnet ist,
• n) Absenken des Kampfmittels in die wenigstens eine erste Vorzerlegungsdelaborationskammer in die Vertiefung des inneren Bodens,
• o) Verschließen der wenigstens einen ersten Vorzerlegungsdelaborationskammer mit dem Deckel,
• p) Vorzerlegung des Kampfmittels innerhalb der Delaborationskammer in scheibenförmige Stücke,
• q) Wiederholen des Schrittes p) bis das Kampfmittel soweit zerlegt ist, dass es weiter verarbeitet werden kann,
• r) Heben eines in Scheiben geschnittenen Kampfmittels aus der Vorzerlegungsdelaborationskammer mittels der wenigstens einen ersten Hebevorrichtung.

In a further embodiment of the invention, between step a) and step b) the following steps:

• m) Pivoting the munitions over the at least one first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber, wherein the pre-disassembly delaboration chamber is arranged on the buoyant delaboration platform and wherein the cover of the at least one first delaboration chamber is open,
• n) lowering the ordnance into the at least one first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber in the recess of the inner floor,
• o) closing the at least one first pre-disassembly delaboration chamber with the lid,
• p) pre-dissection of the ordnance within the delaboration chamber into disk-shaped pieces,
• q) repeating step p) until the ordnance has been dismantled to the extent that it can be further processed,
• r) lifting a sliced ordnance from the pre-disassembly deployment chamber by means of the at least one first lifting device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in step e) after the fragmentation of the ordnance, the ammunition section is moved to a flat surface of the inner floor. For example, this area can also be a transport container that is located inside the delaboration chamber. The advantage is that the munitions fragments that have already been separated do not interfere with the further fragmentation of the ordnance and, if necessary, in the event of an unintentional explosion of the ordnance, do not detonate in the further fragmentation or only detonate with a delay, so that the strength of the pressure wave of the detonation can be reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, between step c) and step d), a fluoroscopy device is placed on the opened delaboration chamber. The ordnance is x-rayed with the x-ray device. The X-ray device is then removed again. This has the advantage that the ordnance does not first have to be placed in a screening device or even transported through it. After being dropped, the ordnance remains unmoved. This minimizes the risk of an unwanted detonation during fluoroscopy. For example and preferably, the X-rays are used for the X-rays. The X-rays can be generated, for example, by an X-ray tube. A free-electron laser can also be used as a source to provide the necessary energy for x-raying a heavy metal housing.

In an alternative embodiment, before step c), a screening device is placed on the opened delaboration chamber, through which a weapon can be transported into the delaboration chamber. After step c) and before step d). removed the fluoroscopy device. This embodiment also has the advantage that the ordnance does not have to be additionally introduced into a separate X-ray device and removed from it again. Rather, in this embodiment, it is x-rayed while it is being introduced into the delaboration chamber.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the explosive ordnance is lifted out of the water in a transport container in step a) and introduced into the delaboration chamber in the transport container in step c). Then, in step e), it is cut up in the transport container or with the transport container. This means that the ordnance does not have to be reburied again. The ordnance is placed under water in the transport container and provided that this step, which is also protected by the water column located above the ordnance, the ordnance is no longer moved relative to the transport container, thereby minimizing the risk of unwanted detonation. Depending on the ordnance, type or size of ordnance, but also depending on the type of cutting device, it can be advantageous to cut the transport container together with the ordnance. Of course, this has the disadvantage that the transport container can only be used once, but it may have the advantage of further minimizing the movement of the ordnance.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ammunition parts are stored in combustible boxes, in particular cardboard boxes, in step e), transported in the combustible boxes, in particular cardboard boxes, in steps h) and i) and in step j) with the combustible boxes , especially with the cardboard boxes, burned.

Fig. 1

Delaborationskammer

Fig. 2

Schwimmfähige Delaborationsplattform

The delaboration chamber according to the invention and the buoyant delaboration platform are explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

1

delaboration chamber

2

Floating delaboration platform

In 1 a delaboration chamber 10 is shown. The delaboration chamber 10 has an outer housing 20 and can be closed with a removable cover 30 . For example, the cover 30 can be moved horizontally in order to open the delaboration chamber 10 . In the example shown, the outer housing 20 and cover 30 are designed according to protection class G9 according to the NATO standard STANAG 2920 in order to be able to effectively hold back shrapnel with up to 67 kJ. Likewise, the connection between the outer housing 20 and the cover 30 is designed in such a way that the cover 30 is not separated from the outer housing 20 in the event of a detonation.

Inside the delaboration chamber 10 there is an inner floor 40 which has a recess 110 for receiving a weapon 90 . A first chamber area 50 is formed between the outer housing 20 and the inner floor, which is filled with sand in the example shown. Alternatively, the first chamber area 50 could be filled with concrete.

The cover 30 has a pressure relief 60 which, in the example shown, is in the form of a labyrinth, so that no splinters can escape through the pressure relief 60 to the outside in the event of an explosion.

In the example shown, the depression 110 is made so large that the weaponry 90 can be placed in a transport container 120 and divided up in it. For this purpose, a cutting device 70 and a chamber lifting device 80 are also arranged in the depression. The chamber lifting device 80 can, in particular, bring ammunition parts cut off by the cutting device 70 into a cardboard box 130 , which are arranged on a storage surface 100 above the recess 110 .

2 shows a buoyant delaboration platform 200. This has a buoyant platform 210, for example a pontoon. In a first platform area 250, two delaboration chambers 10, 11 are arranged in the example shown. For practical reasons these would rather be placed perpendicular to the image plane. For better representation, however, they are shown here. For example and advantageously, more delaboration chambers 10, 11 be present, for example four delaboration chambers 10, 11. The first platform area 250 is separated from the second platform area 260 by a protective element 270. The protection element is formed such that one surface is arranged at an angle of 45° to the surface of the second platform area 260 and at an angle of 135° to the surface of the first platform area 250 . If a detonation occurs in a delaboration chamber 10, 11 and the pressure wave of the detonation is not only directed upwards through the inner floor 40, the first chamber area 50 and the pressure relief 60, a pressure wave running horizontally towards the second platform area 260 is Protective element deflected upwards and thus protects the devices arranged in the second platform area 260 .

A combustion device 230 is arranged in the second platform area 260 . This is preferably designed to safely incinerate pieces of ammunition, for example each weighing 10 kg. In the example shown, a gas cleaning system 240 is connected to the combustion device 230 in order to clean the combustion exhaust gases, in particular to filter out or convert chemical warfare agents and their combustion products. In this way, chemical warfare agents 90 can also be reliably and safely destroyed. In order to transport the ammunition parts from the dismantling chambers 10, 11 to the combustion device 230, the buoyant dismantling platform 200 has a transport device 280, for example a conveyor belt. Furthermore, a lifting device 220 is preferably arranged in the second platform area 260, with which ordnance 90 can be lifted out of the water and introduced directly into the delaboration chambers 10, 11. Due to the positioning of the lifting device 220 in the second platform area 260, the base of the lifting device 220 is also protected by the protective element 270, so that in the event of a detonation, precisely when the ordnance 90 is inserted into a delaboration chamber 10, 11, where the danger is greatest, only a small and easily repairable part of the hoist 220 needs to be repaired or replaced.

Furthermore, the buoyant dismantling platform 200 can have a third platform area, which is arranged behind the second platform area 260 and is separated from it by a further protective element 270 . Hereby is this one Area is the best-protected area, so that quarters 290 for the crew can be arranged here, for example. Other system-relevant components (propulsion, communication, radar, possibly sonar for detecting underwater munitions) can preferably be arranged in this area.

Reference sign

10, 11

delaboration chamber

20

outer casing

30

lid

40

inner floor

50

first chamber area

60

pressure relief

70

cutting device

80

chamber lifting device

90

ordnance

100

storage space

110

deepening

120

transport container

130

cardboard box

200

buoyant delaboration platform

210

buoyant platform

220

lifting device

230

combustion device

240

gas cleaning

250

first platform area

260

second platform area

270

protective element

280

transport device

290

quarters

Claims (16)

Delaboration chamber (10, 11), the delaboration chamber (10, 11) having an outer housing (20), the outer housing (20) being closable with a removable cover (30), the delaboration chamber (10, 11) having an inner Floor (40), wherein a first chamber area (50) is formed below the inner floor (40) by the inner floor (40) and the outer housing (20), the first chamber area (50) with a flowable or solid medium is filled, the inner base (40) having a recess (110) for receiving an explosive object, the recess being designed to completely receive the explosive object, the recess (110) being surrounded laterally by the first chamber area, the The cover (30) can be opened to reveal an opening on the upper side of the delaboration chamber, the cover (30) being connected to the outer housing (20) in a shockproof manner, the cover (30) having a pressure relief (60), wherein the pressure relief (60) has at least one deflection for the detonation gases produced when an explosive object explodes. Dismantling chamber (10, 11) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the dismantling chamber (10, 11) has at least one separating device, in particular a cutting device (70). A delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a water jet device, the delaboration chamber (10, 11) having a water outlet, the water outlet passing through the inner floor (40), the first chamber region ( 50) and the outer housing (20). Delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a band saw. Dismantling chamber (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dismantling chamber (10, 11) has at least one first chamber lifting device (80). Delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is formed by a row of predetermined breaking points in the cover (30) arranged offset one behind the other. Delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner base (40) has a flat storage surface (100), the storage surface (100) being arranged above the depression (110) for receiving an explosive object. Delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is connected to a gas cleaning system (240). A buoyant delaboration platform (200), wherein the buoyant delaboration platform (200) comprises at least one first lifting device (220), wherein the buoyant delaboration platform (200) comprises at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant delaboration platform ( 200) has at least one destruction plant, in particular a first combustion device (230). A buoyant delaboration platform (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that the buoyant delaboration platform (200) has at least a first platform area (250) and a second platform area (260), wherein in the first platform area (250) the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) is arranged, wherein the at least one first combustion device (230) is arranged in the second platform area (260), wherein between the first platform area (250) and the second platform area (260) at least one first protective element (270) is arranged, wherein the at least one first protective element (270) has a surface, wherein the surface of the protective element (270) has an angle of 120° to 150° to the surface of the first platform region (250), the surface of the protective element (270) has an angle of 30° to 60° to the surface of the second platform area (260). Floatable dismantling platform (200) according to one of Claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the buoyant dismantling platform (200) has a transport device (280) for transporting ammunition parts from the at least one first dismantling chamber (10, 11) to the at least one first combustion device (230 ) having. A method for destroying submerged ordnance (90) with a buoyant decontamination platform (200) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the method comprising the following steps: a) lifting a weapon (90) out of the water by means of the at least one first lifting device (220), b) Pivoting the weapon (90) over the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), c) Vertically lowering the ordnance (90) into the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) into the depression (110) of the inner floor (40), d) closing the at least one first delaboration chamber, e) dividing up the explosive ordnance (90) within the delaboration chamber (10, 11), a piece of ammunition being separated off, f) repeating step e) until the ordnance (90) is disassembled, g) opening the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), h) lifting the ammunition parts out of the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), i) transporting the ammunition parts to the at least one first combustion device (230), j) Combustion of the ammunition parts in the at least one first combustion device (230). Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that in step e) after the fragmentation of the ordnance (90), the ammunition section is brought onto a flat surface of the inner base (40). Method according to one of Claims 12 to 13, characterized in that between step c) and step d) a X-ray device is placed on the opened delaboration chamber (10, 11), the ordnance (90) is X-rayed and the X-ray device is removed again. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the ordnance (90) is lifted out of the water in a transport container (120) in step a) and in the transport container (120) in step c) into the delaboration chamber (10, 11) is introduced and is divided up in step e) in the transport container (120) or with the transport container (120). Method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the ammunition parts are placed in combustible boxes, in particular in cardboard boxes (130), in step e) and in the combustible boxes, in particular in cardboard boxes, in steps h) and i). (130) are transported and burned in step j) with the combustible boxes, in particular with the cardboard boxes (130).

Images