GREEN ARMY TECH
THE CONVERSION PROCESS
Chart shows the conversion of Ammonium Nitrate Solution (ANSol) into Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), which addresses supply chain vulnerabilities and contributes to sustainability efforts. (Graphic by Gregory O’Connor, JPEO A&A – Project Director Joint Services and USAASC)
the optimal neutralizing agent and identifying the optimal waste stream feedstock for potassium nitrate manufacture. It also included laboratory-scale reactions to assess scalability and safety. Te results of Phase I demonstrated successful synthesis of approximately 10 pounds of recrystallized potassium nitrate product from ammonium nitrate solution, along with the iden- tification of the optimal process parameters.
Phase II focused on scaling up the process to produce 350 pounds of potassium nitrate. Tis phase involved utilizing a larger pilot- scale reactor and incorporating the potassium nitrate into a flash suppressant formulation. Te resulting potassium nitrate prod- uct was characterized and compared to military specification requirements. Te successful completion of Phase II led to the formulation of the potassium nitrate product into a flash suppres- sant. Te findings from Phases I and II have paved the way for further scale-up and optimization. Phase III will develop an implementation plan for a larger scale process to maximize the value of waste streams in munitions production.
CONCLUSION Overall, the project has successfully demonstrated the feasibil- ity and merit of turning waste into valuable products within the Army’s munitions production process. Te successful conver- sion of ammonium nitrate solution into potassium nitrate not
only addresses supply chain vulnerabilities but also contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing waste disposal, reliance on external sources and exemplifies the Army’s commitment to a greener future. Additional work is currently underway analyz- ing the potential of processing ammonium nitrate solution into strontium nitrate and barium nitrate, as well as exploring other manufacturing waste streams for synthesis of potassium sulfate, all of which are chemicals used by DOD. By integrating environ- mental sustainability and waste reuse into GOCO production facilities, the Army can reduce its environmental footprint while becoming a more resilient organic ammunition industrial base.
For more information, contact Gregory O’Connor at
gregory.j.oconnor.civ@
army.mil or 973-724-5008.
GREGORY O’CONNOR is the government-owned contractor- operated modernization manager within the Project Director Joint Services. He did postgraduate work in systems engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, holds an M.S. in environmental chemistry from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a B.S. in environmental chemistry from Delaware Valley University. He received executive certificates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.
https://asc.ar my.mil
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