Controlled Detonation Chamber (CDC)
Description
The
Controlled Detonation Chamber (formerly known as the Donovan Blast Chamber),
was the first system approved by the Army for destroying non-chemical mortars
and shells unearthed at former military munitions ranges. Munitions are packed
in explosive and loaded into a large, double-walled steel chamber along with
bags of water for thermal control and steam generation. The floor of the
chamber is also covered with pea gravel, which absorbs some of the blast energy.
The system is sealed and the explosive is detonated. This explosion breaks open
the munition and detonates any energetics [e.g., trinitrotoluene (TNT)]. The CDC is
safe, reliable, and effective. It is made in transportable versions that are
appropriate for destroying small, medium, and large numbers of munitions. In
addition, there is a large fixed model that could be used at a large burial
site or firing range. The CDC has an air pollution control unit that filters
and treats vapors.
Limitations
and Concerns
If
disposing of large quantities of bulk munitions per year, using the chamber may
take too long to be of use.
The
Army stated that even with a blast chamber on site, it will still have to burn
or detonate some shells in place if they are too large or dangerous to handle.
Applicability
The
CDC and similar configurations are used to detonate unexploded ordnance. It is
also used internationally for chemical warfare materiel destruction, although
it is not permitted in the U.S. for this purpose.
Technology
Development Status
The
technology is commercially available.
Web
Link
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2007global_demil/SessionVA/1035Quimby.pdf
Other
Resources and Demonstrations
See http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11777
for description of this technology as it is used in chemical weapons
destruction.