Method and apparatus to demilitarize small caliber ammunition

1. An method for demilitarizing ammunition comprising casing material, at least one energetic material, and projectile material, the method comprising:

a. delivering the ammunition into an elongated tubular chamber having a side wall, an inlet opening, and a discharge opening;

b. providing a first discharge barrier obstructing at least a portion of the discharge opening of the chamber;

c. conveying the ammunition along the side wall of the elongated tubular chamber in a direction from the inlet opening toward the discharge opening by motion of the side wall; and

d. heating the ammunition within the chamber to a temperature sufficient to cause decomposition of the energetic material into at least one gas, but insufficient to cause burning of the energetic material.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of ammunition, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first discharge barrier.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising providing a first inlet barrier obstructing at least a portion of the inlet opening of the chamber, violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of ammunition, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first inlet barrier.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising discharging the casing material and the projectile material from the discharge opening of the chamber to a discharge device.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising separating the projectile material from the casing material.

6. The method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising removing the at least one gas from the tubular chamber through an exhaust.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the decomposition of the energetic material results in the formation of at least one hazardous gas, and the method comprises abating the at least one hazardous gas with a pollution abatement device.

8. A method for demilitarizing ammunition comprising at least one energetic material, the method comprising:

a. delivering the ammunition into an elongated tubular chamber comprising a side wall, an inlet opening, and a discharge opening;

b. conveying the ammunition along and in contact with the side wall of the elongated tubular chamber in a direction from the inlet opening toward the discharge opening by motion of the side wall; and

c. heating the ammunition within the chamber by heat transfer inwardly through the side wall to the ammunition, to a temperature sufficient to cause decomposition of the energetic material into at least one gas.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising providing a first discharge barrier obstructing at least a portion of the discharge opening of the chamber.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the ammunition further comprises casing material and projectile material, and the method further comprises violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of at least one of the casing material and the projectile material, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first discharge barrier.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 , further comprising discharging the casing material and the projectile material from the discharge opening of the chamber to a discharge device.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising separating the projectile material from the casing material.

13. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first discharge barrier is an obstruction grating outside of the elongated tubular chamber and proximate to the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber.

14. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the obstruction grating is comprised of a plurality of angle irons joined to a framework, the angle irons including apices oriented upwardly.

15. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising providing a second discharge barrier obstructing a second portion of the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber not obstructed by the first discharge barrier.

16. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the ammunition further comprises casing material and projectile material, and the method further comprises providing a first inlet barrier obstructing at least a portion of the inlet opening of the chamber, violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of at least one of the casing material and the projectile material, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first inlet barrier.

17. A method for demilitarizing ammunition comprising at least one energetic material, the method comprising:

a. delivering the ammunition into an elongated tubular chamber comprising a side wall, an inlet opening, and a discharge opening;

b. providing a first discharge barrier obstructing at least a portion of the discharge opening of the chamber;

c. conveying the ammunition along and in contact with the side wall of the elongated tubular chamber in a direction from the inlet opening toward the discharge opening by motion of the side wall; and

d. heating the ammunition within the chamber by heat transfer inwardly through the side wall to the ammunition, to a temperature sufficient to cause decomposition of the energetic material into at least one gas, but insufficient to cause burning of the energetic material.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the ammunition further comprises casing material and projectile material, and the method further comprises violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of at least one of the casing material and the projectile material, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first discharge barrier.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 , further comprising discharging the casing material and the projectile material from the discharge opening of the chamber to a discharge device.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 , further comprising separating the projectile material from the casing material.

21. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the first discharge barrier is an obstruction grating outside of the elongated tubular chamber and proximate to the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the obstruction grating is comprised of a plurality of angle irons joined to a framework, the angle irons including apices oriented upwardly.

23. The method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising providing a second discharge barrier obstructing a second portion of the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber not obstructed by the first discharge barrier.

24. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the ammunition further comprises casing material and projectile material, and the method further comprises providing a first inlet barrier obstructing at least a portion of the inlet opening of the chamber, violently decomposing the energetic material of the ammunition to cause motion of a fragment of at least one of the casing material and the projectile material, and obstructing the motion of the fragment with the first inlet barrier.