EP4222442B1 - Mobile defusing chamber - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for the safe decommissioning of recovered munitions, ammunition, ammunition parts and the like. Decommissioning comprises the process from recovery to transport, shredding and destruction, for example by incineration.

There are large quantities of munitions in the broadest sense in the world's oceans, particularly in the North and Baltic Seas. Some of these are deliberately placed objects, such as sea mines, such as anchor mines, or dropped bombs. There are also unexploded bombs that were used in combat operations but did not materialize. Furthermore, very large quantities of munitions were dumped, especially after the end of the war. The latter in particular also includes munitions containing chemical warfare agents. In terms of size, these objects range from rifle or machine gun ammunition to mines, naval artillery shells and bombs. It is believed that there are at least 5 million suspected objects in the North and Baltic Seas that could be such munitions. In German territorial waters alone, it is currently assumed that there are around 1.6 million tonnes of conventional legacy waste.

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

On the one hand, the ammunition is a great danger. For example, chemical substances, such as war gases, can leak out over time due to corrosion, which poses a great danger to the ecosystem. Ships can also come into contact with the ammunition and accidentally trigger it. For example, with anchor mines there is a risk that the chain connecting the mine to the ground will be severed and the mine will become a drift mine and can thus reach supposedly safe areas, such as a shipping channel. Leaked and White phosphorus washed up on the beach regularly causes injuries, so it would be desirable to remove all objects.

On the other hand, the evacuation is particularly critical, as it involves touching, moving and dismantling the explosives. All of these actions carry an increased risk of the explosives reacting. It is therefore advantageous to minimize the number of movements.

If a suspicious object is found, a visual inspection must be carried out to determine whether the object is or can be made transportable. For example, unexploded bombs can be made transportable by removing the detonator. The decision as to whether an object is transportable is a sovereign task in Germany, which can be carried out, for example, by bomb disposal services on behalf of the state government. Objects that are safe for transport must then be transported for decommissioning. However, many objects are too large to be disposed of directly, such as incineration, as the amount of explosives added to the incineration at the same time would be too high to safely control the process. These objects are therefore broken up, for example by cutting them up.

From the WO 2007/068020 A1 A portable 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 an unexploded bomb lying underwater is known.

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

From the EP 1 128 875 A2 A method and a device for containing and suppressing explosive detonations is known.

Out of FR2926224 A A floating decommissioning platform with lifting device, decommissioning chamber and destruction facility is known.

However, various technical problems with these existing approaches have not yet been solved, so solutions must be found that can be used reliably for the large number of objects that need to be cleared. It would therefore be desirable to minimize the transport route of an object found underwater and to dismantle the object safely and while minimizing movement. However, the problem here is that it is much more difficult to implement corresponding structural measures, such as bunkers or earthen walls, at sea, as the weight would far exceed that which a floating platform could bear. Furthermore, these measures cannot be applied to the space available, for example and in particular safety distances cannot be chosen to be arbitrarily large.

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

It must therefore be taken into account, particularly at every critical process step, that there is a risk that the entire quantity of explosive will be used at once. This risk is particularly likely at times when mechanical work is being carried out on the object. It must be taken into account that, particularly when used at sea, space and weight are not available in unlimited quantities and therefore, even in such an eventuality, the protection of the other equipment, the personnel and, in particular, the supporting platform must be ensured. It must also be taken into account, of course, that shrapnel generated by an explosion in particular poses a significant threat.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which allows safe dismantling and in particular the crushing of objects at sea.

This object is achieved by the buoyant delaboration platform with the features specified in claim 1 and by the method with the features specified in claim 12. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

The floating decommissioning platform according to the invention has a decommissioning chamber. The decommissioning chamber has an outer housing. The outer housing can be closed with a removable lid. The decommissioning 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. The inner floor has a recess for accommodating an explosive object. The explosive object (the weapon) should be completely within the recess. In the event of an accidental detonation, part of the pressure wave would be directed against the inner floor and thus against the filling of the first chamber area. This geometry is intended to at least partially redirect the pressure wave of the detonation towards the area with the least resistance, i.e. upwards. When closed, the lid is connected to the outer housing in a shock-resistant manner. This means that the lid remains in place even in the event of a detonation. The lid has a pressure relief device, whereby the pressure relief device has at least one diversion for the detonation gases. The pressure relief device serves to specifically divert the gases and pressures generated during a detonation. Despite the high pressure, a diversion of these gases is necessary to prevent shrapnel from escaping from the decommissioning chamber and damaging other parts of the equipment or even injuring personnel.

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

In the sense of the invention, a removable lid can be lifted off, folded or pushed, for example. It is essential that the lid can be removed in such a way that a weapon can be lifted into the decommissioning chamber from above. After closing, however, the lid must be so firmly connected to the outer casing that the lid does not come loose from the outer casing even in the event of an accidental detonation of the weapon. This would turn the lid itself into a projectile. Due to the high mechanical requirements when closed, a sliding lid is preferred. To do this, the lid is moved horizontally into a position next to the decommissioning chamber in order to open the decommissioning chamber.

A flowable medium includes not only liquids but also flowable solids, in particular bulk materials. For example, sand or gravel are a flowable medium within the meaning of the invention. In the event of a shock, a flowable medium can cause deformation, while at the same time force transmission is still possible.

The outer casing and the lid preferably have at least protection against 20mm "Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSP)" in accordance with MIL-DTL-46593. The weight of the shrapnel is approximately 54 g, whereby shrapnel with a defined kinetic energy, for example of at least 67 kJ, must be safely held back. 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 different chambers could be used depending on the size of the objects. This would also make significantly higher protection classes conceivable. This makes sense because the large quantity of ordnance is rather small, but the few large ordnances are comparatively problematic.

In one embodiment of the invention, the recess has a receiving position for a pallet. Preferably, the receiving position ensures that the pallet and, with it, a weapon placed on the pallet, can be moved into the decommissioning chamber. in a predefined position, in particular in a defined position relative to a cutting device. In particular, the receiving position has guide elements to guide a pallet into a predefined position when it is inserted.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inner base is a removable base container, whereby the first chamber area is formed by inserting the base container. For this purpose, the base container particularly preferably has a closable opening, preferably at a high point, for example in a wall of the base 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, not yet hardened concrete or a monomer or oligomer which is polymerized in the first chamber area. In the case of a hardening precursor, the hardened medium itself can also cause the opening to be closed.

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 decommissioning chamber. For this purpose, the chamber container preferably has a closable opening, which is preferably arranged at a high point on the chamber container.

In a further embodiment, the lid 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-tight bag. A lid designed as a hollow body particularly preferably has additional stiffeners between the top and bottom, for example in the form of ring stiffeners or diagonal stiffeners. In this embodiment, the pressure relief is arranged connecting the top and bottom of the lid to allow gas to pass through. A fire-retardant medium is particularly preferably used as the flowable medium here, 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, the cutting device is preferably a band saw. In a further embodiment, the delaboration chamber has two cutting devices, one of which is 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 drain, the water drain preferably running through the inner floor, the first chamber area 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 uppermost level of the inner floor. The pressure pump is thus particularly efficiently protected against pressure waves. A pressure pump can also supply two or more cutting devices in two or more delaboration chambers with water under 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 force-fit connection to the ordnance, so that the forces generated when the ordnance is cut up by the cutting device are not dissipated by the robot arm, but directly into the ordnance. This is particularly preferred when large and heavy ordnance is cut up.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber has at least one first chamber lifting device. The chamber lifting device serves to lift ammunition fragments separated from a weapon out of the recess.

In a further embodiment of the invention, pressure relief is ensured by one or more outlet openings in the cover, whereby the outlet openings can preferably be designed as predetermined breaking points. The outlet openings can, for example, be circular. The predetermined breaking point fails at a defined gas pressure as a result of an unwanted detonation during decommissioning and opens up a nozzle-shaped outlet. Various sheets are arranged in the nozzle-shaped outlet, which, in their function as guide plates, ensure that the resulting explosion gas is diverted and slowed down. This causes the resulting explosion gases to escape upwards in a targeted manner, so that the neighboring components of the decommissioning 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, the predetermined breaking point can be movably attached to the cover and prevented from moving by an overload protection device, whereby the overload protection device is dimensioned in such a way that it fails when pressure is applied before the cover as a whole gives way. For example, it can be a cover attached with a hinge that is secured against rotation with a shear pin.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the inner floor has a flat storage area, wherein the storage area is arranged above the recess for receiving an explosive object (a weapon). This allows parts of ammunition to be stored in an area that is not directly affected by a detonation and increases the chance that they will not be displaced during the detonation, thus reducing the overall damage.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber is connected to a gas purification system. If the weapon is a weapon containing a chemical warfare agent, there is a high probability that this will be released when the weapon is broken up. It is therefore desirable to be able to remove the chemical warfare agent from the air in the decommissioning chamber before it is opened and the chemical warfare agents would be released directly into the atmosphere. In the simplest case, the air is extracted via a simple suction system in a combustion chamber or directly into a flare and rendered harmless by combustion. Alternatively or additionally, filters, such as activated carbon filters, can be used.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief is combined with gas cleaning. This has the advantage that even in the event of an accidental detonation of a weapon containing a chemical warfare agent, there is no release and thus no danger to people.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber has an X-ray device. In particular, the X-ray device is used to identify weapons that contain chemical agents that cannot or should not be processed in the decommissioning chamber and to avoid crushing these weapons. For example, weapons identified in this way can be incendiary bombs containing white phosphorus, which would start to burn on contact with air. Chemical weapons that cannot be safely destroyed by the systems can also be identified. Here, too, it is advantageous if crushing is avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning 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. Should a release occur within the decommissioning chamber, which is detected by the sensor for detecting unconventional warfare agents, the decommissioning chamber can preferably remain closed until decontamination. The sensor can preferably be arranged in the extraction system.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decommissioning chamber has a lifting platform on which pieces of ammunition can be placed directly or in containers, in particular in combustible boxes, in particular in cardboard boxes. After the lid has been opened, the lifting platform can then take the pieces of ammunition, for example, to the level of the lid, so that they can be removed more easily. For example, the lifting platform can be connected to a conveyor system, such as a roller conveyor system, in order to transport the ammunition pieces further.

If the first chamber region is filled with a solid medium, for example concrete, the first chamber region 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 bonding to the outer housing when it hardens.

The invention relates to a floating decommissioning platform. A floating 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 floating decommissioning platform has at least one first lifting device, at least one first decommissioning 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 floating decommissioning platform is, on the one hand, that the number of transports of a weapon before its final destruction is reduced to a minimum, thus reducing the risk of an accidental detonation. On the other hand, it is also possible to destroy objects whose chemical composition is not fully known. Otherwise, every object would have to be extensively sampled before transport in order to ensure transport safety. Furthermore, objects, such as chemical weapons, that are 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 floating decommissioning platform has at least a first platform area and a second platform area. The at least one first decommissioning 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 emanating from a detonation in a decommissioning chamber would be redirected upwards, thus protecting the combustion device behind it.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the floating decommissioning platform has a transport device for transporting ammunition fragments from the at least one first decommissioning chamber to the at least one first combustion device. The transport device can be, for example, a conveyor belt, transport rail or other continuous transport system on which the ammunition fragments lie directly or transport containers in which the ammunition fragments lie. The conveyor belt can be automatically controlled.

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

In a further embodiment of the invention, the floating 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-disassembly dismantling chamber is basically constructed like the dismantling chamber according to the invention. In this embodiment, large ordnance is first introduced into the first pre-disassembly dismantling chamber and roughly crushed there, in particular using a band saw to cut it into uniformly wide slices. The large ordnance thus dismantled is then transferred from the first pre-disassembly dismantling chamber to the first dismantling chamber and there it is further reduced to the size required for final destruction. The first pre-dismantling decommissioning chamber and the first decommissioning chamber therefore preferably differ in that they have a different separating device for reducing the munitions. For example, the first pre-dismantling decommissioning chamber has a cutting device in the form of a band saw, which is suitable for cutting even large objects, such as sea mines or bombs weighing more than a tonne, into slices of uniform thickness. The first decommissioning chamber then preferably has a smaller separating device than the first pre-dismantling decommissioning chamber, which is designed to further reduce the slices produced in the first pre-dismantling decommissioning chamber. Ordnance which is in particular smaller than the slices produced in the first pre-dismantling decommissioning chamber can also be introduced directly into the decommissioning chamber. This means that munitions of very different sizes can be easily processed.

The first pre-dismantling and decommissioning chamber can, for example, do not require a device for transporting the ordnance. For example, the ordnance can be brought into the first pre-dismantling and decommissioning chamber on a pallet and dismantled on this pallet. All of the discs can then be transported together on the pallet from the first pre-dismantling and decommissioning chamber to the first decommissioning chamber using the pallet. For example, they can be lifted from the first pre-dismantling and decommissioning chamber to the first decommissioning chamber using a lifting device or transported between the two chambers using a conveyor belt or roller conveyor.

In contrast, the first decommissioning chamber, for example, has a device for isolating the parts of the munitions so that they can then be destroyed, in particular by incineration.

A further advantage of this embodiment with at least one first decomposition chamber and at least one first pre-decomposition decomposition chamber is that the numerical ratio between the pre-decomposition decomposition chambers and the decomposition chambers is based on the expected Size distribution can be adjusted. For example, if one assumes that in terms of weight only less than 25% of the munitions will be of a size that requires pre-disassembly, one could combine four disassembly chambers with one pre-disassembly disassembly chamber.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the floating decommissioning platform has an intermediate storage facility in which the ammunition fragments removed from the decommissioning chamber can be temporarily stored. This can, for example, make the destruction process more uniform. For example, it is possible to dispense with the recovery of munitions at night for safety reasons, but a combustion device can continue to operate 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) 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 underwater weapons using a floating decommissioning platform according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps:

1. a) lifting a weapon out of the water by means of the at least one first lifting device,
2. b) pivoting the weapon over the at least one first decommissioning chamber, wherein the decommissioning chamber is arranged on the floating decommissioning platform and wherein, for example and preferably, the lid of the at least one first decommissioning chamber is open,
3. c) lowering the ordnance into the at least one first decommissioning chamber in the depression 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 ordnance within the decommissioning chamber, whereby a piece of ammunition, preferably in a size of 5 kg to 10 kg, is separated,
6. f) Repeat step e) until the ordnance is sufficiently dismantled to be further processed,
7. g) opening the at least one first decomposition chamber, for example and preferably by removing the lid,
8. h) lifting the ammunition fragments from the at least one first decommissioning chamber,
9. i) transporting the ammunition fragments to at least one first destruction device, in particular a first combustion device,
10. j) Combustion of the ammunition fragments 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 operation and placed directly in the decommissioning chamber. Further intermediate storage and transport can thus be avoided. Every relocation and every transport represents an additional risk of an unwanted detonation.

By completely breaking the munitions into small, directly combustible ammunition fragments, subsequent processing and final destruction is comparatively simple. During all intermediate steps in the breakdown of the munitions, the decommissioning chamber is closed so that all risky steps are carried out in such a way that the protection of the floating decommissioning platform and the environment is a high priority. The munitions are completely broken down when they have been broken down into such small fragments that further processing of all the individual fragments and thus the entire munitions is possible. For example, they can be burned in an incineration facility without damaging them.

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 serve, for example, to equalize the flow of material, for example fed to a combustion furnace. The transport can also take place in several sub-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 practical reasons, the lifting in step a) can also be carried out by another watercraft. In this case, there is a transport to the floating decommissioning platform between steps a) and b). The advantage of this is that the floating decommissioning platform has to be moved less; the disadvantage is that a second watercraft is required.

The fragmentation of the munitions in step e) within the decommissioning chamber is preferably carried out in such a way that the ammunition fragments are between 5 kg and 10 kg in size, which is currently the 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 fragmentation is time-consuming and unnecessarily dangerous. However, if other incinerators are used, the size of the ammunition fragments is adapted to their specifications.

Repeat step f) until the ordnance is broken down to such an extent that it can be further processed, i.e. completely broken down into ammunition fragments that can be burned in the combustion device. The size of the ammunition fragments is currently usually between 5 kg and 10 kg. So if, for example, an ordnance weighing 100 kg is to be broken down, it can be broken down into 10 ammunition fragments, each weighing 10 kg. The ordnance is then completely broken down into ammunition fragments that can be further processed.

Preferably, the at least one first lifting device comprises a lifting and recovery tool suitable for the transport of munitions.

• 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 are carried out:

• m) pivoting the weapon over the at least one first pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber, wherein the pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber is mounted on the buoyant delaboration platform and wherein the lid of the at least one first delaboration chamber is open,
• n) lowering the ordnance into at least one first pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber in the depression of the inner floor,
• o) closing the at least one first pre-disassembly decomposition chamber with the lid,
• p) Preliminary dismantling of the ordnance within the decommissioning chamber into disc-shaped pieces,
• q) Repeat step p) until the ordnance is sufficiently dismantled to be further processed,
• r) lifting a sliced ordnance from the pre-disassembly decommissioning chamber by means of the at least one first lifting device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in step e), after the ordnance has been broken up, the ammunition fragment is placed on a flat surface of the inner floor. For example, this surface can also be a transport container located inside the decommissioning chamber. The advantage is that the ammunition fragments that have already been separated do not interfere with the further breaking up of the ordnance and, if necessary, in the event of an accidental explosion of the ordnance, do not detonate during further breaking up or only detonate at a later time, and the strength of the pressure wave of the detonation can thus be reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a screening device is placed on the opened decommissioning chamber between step c) and step d). The munitions are screened using the screening device. The screening device is then removed again. This has the advantage that the munitions do not have to be placed in a screening device or even transported through it. After being placed, the munitions remain motionless. This minimizes the risk of an unwanted detonation during screening. For example and preferably, screening is carried out using X-rays. The X-rays can be generated, for example, by an X-ray tube. In order to obtain the necessary energy to screen a heavy However, a free-electron laser can also be used as a source.

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

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ordnance is lifted out of the water in a transport container in step a) and introduced into the decommissioning chamber in the transport container in step c). It is then cut up in the transport container or with the transport container in step e). This means that the ordnance does not have to be relocated. The ordnance is placed underwater in the transport container and if this step, which is also protected by the water column above the ordnance, is completed, 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, and also on the type of cutting device, it may be advantageous to cut up the transport container together with the ordnance. This naturally has the disadvantage that the transport container can only be used once, but may have the advantage of further minimizing movement of the ordnance.

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

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 using an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1

delaboration chamber

Fig. 2

floating delaboration platform

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

An inner floor 40 is arranged inside the decommissioning chamber 10, 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 lid 30 has a pressure relief 60, which in the example shown is designed in a labyrinth shape so that if it is opened in the event of an explosion, no splinters can escape through the pressure relief 60.

In the example shown, the recess 110 is designed to be large enough so that the ordnance 90 can be placed in a transport container 120 and cut up in it. For this purpose, a cutting device 70 and a chamber lifting device 80 are also arranged in the recess. The chamber lifting device 80 can in particular place pieces of ammunition separated by the cutting device 70 into a cardboard box 130, which is arranged on a storage surface 100 above the recess 110.

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

A combustion device 230 is arranged in the second platform area 260. This is preferably designed to safely burn 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, weapons 90 containing chemical warfare agents can also be reliably and safely destroyed. In order to transport the pieces of ammunition from the decommissioning chambers 10, 11 to the combustion device 230, the floating decommissioning 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 weapons 90 can be lifted out of the water and introduced directly into the decommissioning chambers 10, 11. By positioning 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 just when inserting of the ordnance 90 into a decommissioning chamber 10, 11, where the danger is highest, only a small and easily repairable part of the lifting device 220 needs to be repaired or replaced.

Furthermore, the floating decommissioning platform 200 can have a third platform area, which is arranged behind the second platform area 260 and separated from it by a further protective element 270. This makes this area the best protected area, so that, for example, quarters 290 for the crew can be arranged here. Other system-relevant components (drive, communication, radar, possibly sonar for detecting the munitions under water) can also 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

weapons

100

storage space

110

deepening

120

transport container

130

cardboard box

200

floating delaboration platform

210

floating platform

220

lifting device

230

combustion device

240

gas purification

250

first platform area

260

second platform area

270

protective element

280

transport device

290

neighborhood

Claims (16)

1. A floatable delaboration platform (200), the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprising at least a first lifting device (220), the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprising at least a first delaboration chamber (10, 11), wherein the floatable delaboration platform (200) comprises at least one destruction unit, wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has an outer housing (20), wherein the outer housing (20) can be sealed by a removable cover (30), wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has an inner floor (40), wherein a first chamber region (50) is formed underneath the inner floor (40) by the inner floor (40) and the outer housing (20), wherein the first chamber region (50) is filled with a flowable or solid medium, wherein the inner floor (40) has a recess (110) for receiving an explosive object, wherein the cover (30) is connected to the outer housing (20) in a shockproof manner, wherein the cover (30) has a pressure relief (60), wherein the pressure relief (60) has at least one deflection for the detonation gases.
2. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has at least one separating device, in particular a cutting device (70).
3. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a water-jet device, wherein the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has a water outlet, wherein the water outlet passes through the inner floor (40), the first chamber region (50) and the outer housing (20).
4. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cutting device (70) is a bandsaw.
5. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delaboration chamber (10, 11) has at least one first chamber lifting device (80).
6. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is formed by a series of predetermined breaking points in the cover (30) that are arranged offset one behind the other.
7. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner floor (40) has a planar depositing area (100), wherein the depositing area (100) is arranged above the recess (110) for receiving an explosive object.
8. Floating delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief (60) is connected to a gas cleaning means (240).
9. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, the destruction installation is a first incineration device (230).
10. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floatable delaboration platform (200) has at least one first platform region (250) and one second platform region (260), wherein the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) is arranged in the first platform region (250), wherein the at least one first incineration device (230) is arranged in the second platform region (260), wherein at least one first protective element (270) is arranged between the first platform region (250) and the second platform region (260), 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° in relation to the surface of the first platform region (250), wherein the surface of the protective element (270) has an angle of 30° to 60° in relation to the surface of the second platform region (260).
11. Floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the floatable delaboration platform (200) has a transporting device (280) for transporting pieces of munition from the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11) to the at least one first incineration device (230).
12. Method for destroying underwater ordnance (90) with a floatable delaboration platform (200) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

    a) lifting an ordnance (90) out of the water by means of the at least one first lifting device (220),

    b) pivoting the ordnance (90) over the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11),

    c) lowering the ordnance (90) into the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11), into the recess (110) in the inner floor (40),

    d) sealing the at least one first delaboration chamber,

    e) breaking up the ordnance (90) within the delaboration chamber (10, 11), wherein a piece of munition is detached,

    f) repeating step e) until the ordnance (90) is dismantled,

    g) opening the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11),

    h) lifting out the pieces of munition from the at least one first delaboration chamber (10, 11),

    i) transporting the pieces of munition to the at least one first incineration device (230),

    j) incinerating the pieces of munition in the at least one first incineration device (230).
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that in step e), after breaking up the ordnance (90), the piece of munition is brought onto a planar area of the inner floor (40).
14. Method according to either of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that between step c) and step d) a transillumination device is placed onto the opened delaboration chamber (10, 11), the ordnance (90) is transilluminated and the transillumination device is removed again.
15. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the ordnance (90) is lifted out of the water in a transporting container (120) in step a) and is introduced into the delaboration chamber (10, 11) in the transporting container (120) in step c) and is broken up in the transporting container (120) or with the transporting container (120) in step e).
16. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the pieces of munition are deposited into flammable boxes, in particular into cardboard boxes (130), in step e), are transported in the flammable boxes, in particular in the cardboard boxes (130), in steps h) and i) and are incinerated with the flammable boxes, in particular with the cardboard boxes (130), in step j).

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