Atlas Copco helps dispose of ammunition and weapons

EOD (Explosive and Ordnance Demilitarisation) Solutions are specialists in the destruction of weapons and ammunition from surplus stockpiles, applying professional standards, qualifications and safety policies which exceed that required by the UN and NATO for such operations. Caldo Engineering’s expertise is in the design, manufacture and supply of hot gas filters to remove solids from a process gas at an elevated temperature.

Both of these companies have many years experience in the demilitarisation field and their technical collaboration has resulted in the development of TRADS (Transportable Ammunition Destruction System) in which Atlas Copco’s compressor technology fulfils an essential role.

The TRADS procedure destroys small arms ammunition up to and including 12.7mm (.50) calibre in an environmentally benign manner, based on tried and trusted methods. It uses Caldo Engineering’s ceramic filtration technology to control emissions from the destruction process into atmosphere.

Ammunition is fed at a controlled rate from a ground level feed hopper into a heated rotating stainless steel cylinder. The rounds 'cook off'’ as they progress along the cylinder and the resulting scrap is deposited into a safe container.

Resultant gases are drawn from the cylinder through an afterburner and a ceramic filter by a variable speed fan. The afterburner destroys the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) while reactants added to the gas stream remove acid from the gases. The ceramic filter removes the solids from the gas stream and the cleaned gas is expelled to atmosphere via the unit’s exhaust stack.

An Atlas Copco GA11 screw compressor is an integral part of every one of these standalone systems. The compressor’s primary function is to provide the general pneumatic power to operate push-pull air cylinders. The secondary roles are to supply a cooling airflow to the ceramic filters and to operate each unit’s vibrating conveyor. The setting up and routine maintenance procedures also require air to operate pneumatic tools, such as nut runners.

Each TRADS unit is designed to meet individual client requirements in either trailer-mounted or container formats, and currently a new 40ft containerised stand-alone system is under development. The units require no local infrastructure other than a flat area to site the system and only the minimum of technical personnel to operate it in all weather conditions and areas of the world.

When it came to the choice of compressor to meet the need for maximum reliability, energy efficiency and extended service intervals in remote locations, Atlas Copco was the first supplier in mind. Its international global presence was an essential factor in ensuring continuity of technical product support. At the same time, the GA11 compressor’s performance, output and point of use characteristics provided an ideal synergy with the TRADS system