Electrochemical desensitization process

Abstract

Potentially hazardous compositions containing solid combustible fuels, oxidants, nitro-containing, nitramine-containing or nitrato-containing compounds and, in many cases, binders are desensitized by electrolysis at low current and over an extended period of time. According to one disclosed method, compositions containing binders are first oxidized at the anode to cause decomposition and swelling of the binder, followed by further oxidation of the remaining components of the composition or switching of the polarity to cause reduction, as needed. According to another disclosed method, the composition is retained in a reaction vessel separate from the electrolysis cell, and the aqueous leachant from the composition is circulated in two portions through the two halves of the electrolysis cell to form strong oxidizing and reducing reagents, respectively, which are then circulated in succession through the reaction vessel to decompose the composition. In either case, the resulting composition has a lowered sensitivity to initiation by such external influences as inadvertent impact or inadvertent electrostatic discharge.