[CPEO-MEF] PERCHLORATE, MUNITIONS: Explosion at Redstone Arsenal (AL) rocket recycling building

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[Redstone is home to the Army's pioneering supercritical ammonia 
technology for recycling solid rocket fuel. I'm waiting to hear whether 
this is the same technology. If so, it could be a major setback for an 
approach that is indeed "environmentally friendly." - LS]


Redstone Arsenal official: Contractors were working on process to 
recycle chemical used in propellant

By Kenneth Kesner
Huntsville Times (AL)
May 05, 2010

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Amtec Corp. contractors were working on a process to 
recycle the rocket fuel component ammonium perchlorate when an explosion 
occurred this morning, injuring two people on Redstone Arsenal, an 
arsenal official said.

The process is part of work the arsenal is doing to find a more 
environmentally friendly way than burning to dispose of solid 
propellant, said Paul Turner, associate director for propulsion 
technology for the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and 
Engineering Center on Redstone. Environmental regulations no longer 
allow the chemical to be burned, Turner said.

Turner said an investigation into why the explosion occurred will be 
conducted. "We will get the best of the best," to investigate, Turner said.

...

For the entire article, see
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/05/redstone_official_contractors.html

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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