0360L

TITLE :

CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY

SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORIES SAFETY AND PROCEDURES MANUA L

Grinding of HMX/RDX in the SWECO Vibro- NO : V-521 REV .Energy Wet Grinding Mill (Buildin g372, Cell 6 ) DATE : 1-02-86 PAGE 1 OF 2

1 .0 PURPOSE

This operating procedure permits the grinding of HMX and/or RDX in thevibro-energy wet grinding mill in Building 372 , Cell 6 .

2 .0 SCOPE

The vibro-energy grinder ( referred to within the laboratory as the SWECOmill) consists of a spring -mounted grinding chamber which is givenvigorous vibration by an eccentric mechanism . The chamber is partiallyfilled with ceramic cylinders which strike each other , reducing theparticle size of the feed material as it comes into the impact area .The feed material consists of HMX and/or RDX suspended in a liquidcarrier which facilitates grinding by preventing agglomeration .

3 .0 LIMITS

Building 372 , Cell 6, houses the SWECO mill . Grinding of up toapproximately five pounds of HMX /RDX may be handled by the mill with aminimum of approximately two pounds of HMX /RDX . Personnel limits arerestricted to two operating persons only and only while the mill is notin operation .

4 .0 PROCEDURE

4 .1 Water, isopropyl alcohol, or a mixture of the two , are the preferredcarriers . If other types of solvents must be used for process reasons,their application shall require approval by the EIC and the areasupervisor .

RD 01339

I I IBNA07278929

HDMSe00423736

TITLE : Grinding of HMX / RDX in the SWECO Vibro -Energy Wet Grinding Mill (Building

NO : V-521 REV .

372, Cell 6) DATE : 1-02-86 PAGE 2 OF 2

4 .2 Operation of the wet grinding mill shall be remote with personnelevacuated from the cell . Discharge of HMX/RDX by gravity flow from themill may be performed attendantly . Initial discharge of the HMX/RDXslurry may necessitate the operation of the mill with the dischargevalve open . This operation will be conducted with personnel evacuatedfrom the cell . No attempt shall be made to recover 100% of the HMX atthe completion of the grinding cycle . After recovery of that quantityof HMX /RDX which will readily flow through the mill discharge valve, theremainder of the material shall be removed from the mill by flushingwith IPA, water , or a mixture of the two . The mill need not be cleanedbetween operations if the same material is to be ground .

4 .3 Transfer operations of volatile liquids shall be grounded , including allpersonnel present . Only that quantity of volatile liquid charged to thegrinder is permitted in the operating cell while the grinder is inoperation .

4 .4 Charging of the mill with the solid and liquid components shall beaccomplished by adding one part of HMX/RDX to three parts of liquid .This will produce a slurry which will discharge by gravity flowconditions . Near the end of the grinding cycle , additional liquid willhave to be added to the mill to replace that solvent which hasevaporated .

5 .0 PRECAUTIONS

5 .1 Protective clothing ( flame -proof shop coats or coveralls) shall be wornat all times .

5 .2 Grounding shoes shall be worn at all times .

5 .3 Safety glasses or face shields shall be worn at all times .

5 .4 Fire Warning Symbol 1 shall be employed when grinding .

5 .5 Equipment will be grounded at all times .

5 .6 All safety procedures for handling explosives will be followed .

6 .0 CLEAN-U P

After grinding HMX/RDX, the vibro-energy mill shall be flushedthoroughly with water until the discharge no longer appears milky . Thewater effluent shall be trapped in a stainless drum, the HMX/RDX allowedto settle and the water decanted off . The HMX/RDX shall be removed fromthe drum with a minimum amount of water, the water filtered off and theHMX/RDX stored per standard explosive storage procedures . Any spilledHMX shall be carefully cleaned up , and the area thoroughly washed downto ensure that no dry HMX/RDX remains after operations are completed .

RD 01340

I I I IBNA07278930

HDMSe00423737