The Disposal of Propellant Components Containing Heavy Metals

In a preliminary study, a concept has been developed for the environmentally safe disposal of igniters containing mercury fulminate used in the ammunition of the former East German Forces (referred to as NVA, Nationale Volksarmee). Apart from technological conventional processing steps, this multistep disposal process also comprises an electroflotation process for the elimination of heavy metals below the legal limit values andlor for the electrochemical conversion of pollutant substances into materials which are reusable or can be disposed of normally in landfills. Electroflotation processes for the elimination of toxic materials and for cleaning waste water have only come into use in recent times and were mostly tried out on an empirical basis. To establish and optimize process parameters, therefore, further experimental investigations are required.