GB2336804A - A bomb disposal method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of disposing of an explosively combustible device 3 by sawing it into a plurality of sections using a remotely controlled cutting apparatus having a reciprocating blade 2 or a continuously circulating flexible blade 2. Prior to cutting, the device 3 may be immobilised, e.g. using clamping means or by locating the device 3 in a liquid-tight container, filling the container with a flowable substance such as crushed ice and then allowing the substance to harden. Two cuts may be made simultaneously and the device 3 may be cooled by spraying a cooling fluid as it is cut.

Description

2336804 1 A METHOD OF DISPOSING OF A DEVICE The present invention relates

to a method of disposing of a device, particularly an explosive device. In particular, the invention relates to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) where devices are usually fused and conventional munition disposal (CMD) where devices are usually unfused. However, the invention also has other applications, as will be discussed herein.

is EOD is the disposal of air dropped weapons or stores thereof, land service ammunition, projectiles, rockets or missiles that have failed to function. These devices are sometimes known as UXBs (unexploded bombs), UX0s (unexploded explosive objects) or "blinds'. It is generally accepted that on average 8% to 10% of all weapons that are f ired, thrown or dropped do not function, for example due to incorrect fusing or arming, failure to arm or the failure of a delay mechanism.

UXBs or UX0s may be fitted with anti-handling or antidisturbance devices, deliberately designed to kill the bomb disposal personnel attempting to render the weapon safe, or delayed action fuses. Various methods are employed to deal with air dropped weapons such as mines and bombs. In many incidents bomb disposal offices have been killed by the actuation of such time-delayed fuses or anti- handling devices.

One currently used, laborious and time-consuming process for rendering a weapon safe is to effect entry into the casing and then to steam out the explosive material. Holes are trepanned into the casing using a remotelyoperated trepanning tool and steam is then fed into the weapon in order to gradually flush out the explosive fill. The process is slow and dirty and requires the operator to return to the trepanned weapon to set up the steaming equipment. On finishing the process, a large volume of dangerously contaminated water must be dealt with.

With particular regard to large UXBs/UX0s dating from World War 11 and the urban sprawl which has taken place around most European cities since then, an EOD procedure which is rapid and safe enough to avoid the cost of massive evacuation is desirable.

CMD is the term used to describe the destruction or disposal of unwanted, redundant, degraded or outdated munitions. CMD must in any case be practised by a military power which improves its weaponry, but has become increasingly necessary since the end of the Cold War with many thousands of tonnes of additional weapons awaiting disposal, and the number increasing world-wide. Attempts to recycle high performances explosives for use as booster charges for civil applications have proved unsuccessful or not commercially viable.

Existing methods of CMD include open detonation, deflagration (i.e. rapid burning or decomposition), cutting out portions of the casing by means of an abrasive water jet and then burning the weapon either in the open or in a proprietary furnace, reverse engineering, cryogenics and crushing. Due to the amount of time taken, most of these processes are unsuitable for disposing of large cased munitions. Moreover, many weapons are exceedingly difficult to dispose of other than by open detonation. A cased munition which is subjected to high temperatures is likely to "cook off" i.e. detonate. Even if the casing has been drilled, punched or trepanned, when the weapon is ignited it may detonate rather than deflagrate if a critical pressure is allowed to build up inside the casing.

It is an object of the invention to provide rapid, safe and reliable methods of EOD and CMD.

Accordingly, from one aspect, the present invention provides a method of disposing of an explosively combustible device, comprising cutting the device into a plurality of sections using a remotely controlled cutting apparatus.

From another aspect, the present invention provides apparatus for disposing of an explosively combustible device, comprising means for immobilising the device and a remotely controlled cutting apparatus having a saw blade for sawing the device into at least two sections.

In a CMD embodiment, the device is cut into predetermined sections which are then burnt either in the open or in a proprietary furnace. In an EOD embodiment, at least one fused section of the device is cut away from an unfused explosive section.

Preferably,the cutting step takes place by sawing, preferably using a thin, flexible blade in the form of a wire or band which may be endless and continuously circulate or which may reciprocate. A suitable remote sawing apparatus is described in EP-A-0540834 where the blade is a wire comprising diamond-coated beads. This apparatus is designed for underwater use and when used in the atmosphere 1 have found it necessary to cool the blade, for example using a cooling fluid such as water. An alternative cooling method is to provide a cofferdam filed with water around the device to be cut. The water may optionally then be frozen which has the further advantage of immobilising the device. Alternative hardening materials such as plaster, cement, foam or resin could be used in a cofferdam to immobilise the device, or clamping means can be used to hold the device.

The remotely controlled cutting apparatus may be brought to the device, for example on a suitable vehicle such as a small excavator. Alternatively, a fixed cutting apparatus can be provided, for example in a purpose built 4 sawing bay, and the device brought to the apparatus.

Preferably, the cutting operation takes place with the device located inside an explosion-suppressing structure of the type described in my British Patent Application No 9805087.4 including wall members and roof members both supporting or defining rupturable liquid-filled containers.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- is Figure 1 is a schematic elevation, partly in section, of an arrangement for performing the method of the invention; Figure 2 is a part-sectional view of an explosive device showing where the device could be cut; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a cooling arrangement; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a coffer containing an explosive device; Figure 5 schematically shows a reciprocating cutting arrangement according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a permanent disposal facility according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a schematic plan of a second embodiment of permanent disposal facility.

Figure 1 (not to scale) shows how the method of the invention may be performed using a movable cutting apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 is similar to that shown in EP-A-0540834 and has a blade 2 comprising a wire having diamond-coated beads. The apparatus includes a frame having means for clamping an explosive device 3 to be cut, but the frame and clamping means are not shown in the drawing for clamping means are not shown in the drawing for clarity. The cutting apparatus 1 includes means for driving and tensioning the blade 2.

Cutting of the explosive device 3 takes place within an explosionsuppressing structure 4 of the type described in my British Patent Application No 9805097.4. The walls and roof of the structure 4 are made of light materials and support rupturable water- filled bags which attenuate the blast in case the device 3 should detonate for any reason.

Due to the inherent weight of the cutting apparatus with its frame, the robotic vehicles currently employed for EOD operations are unsuitable for transporting the apparatus. in addition, current EOD robots are unable to supply the hydraulic power required to operate the cutting apparatus. Accordingly, a 360 mini excavator 5, in the order of 1. 5 to 2 tonnes, is provided. Larger machines could be used for disposing of larger munitions such as rocket motors or guided missiles.

The additional power f eed of the mini excavator 5, provided for operating ancillary equipment, is used to drive the cutting apparatus 1 via a hydraulic feed 6. The mini excavator 5 is fitted with a small bulldozer blade to provide added stability. A rotator head 7, similar to those fitted to fork lift trucks to facilitate turning of certain loads, is mounted on the arm of the excavator 5. The cutting apparatus 1 is mounted on a support arm 8, one end of which is attached to the rotator head 7 to allow cutting of explosive devices in any plane. The other end of the support am 8 rests on an wA" frame 9. The mini excavator 5 and cutting apparatus 1 are remotely controlled by means of an umbilical cable 10, or by an intrinsically safe radio signal. A spark arrester system is provided in the vehicle's exhaust.

The mini excavator 5 could also be used underwater, its power source being supplied from the surface. The integral hydraulic motor of the excavator could be driven by a submersible electric motor, or a pneumatic or primary hydraulic motor. The power source to be used will be decided by the depth of the operation and the physical dimensions of the device to be cut e.g. torpedo, mine, missile or bomb. Such power sources can also be used when operating on land in conditions which prohibit the use of a fuel driven engine.

A mini excavator 5 as described is readily available and meets the requirements of the movable cutting apparatus. However, if desired, a dedicated attack platform could be manufactured for use instead of the mini excavator and could provide further specialised requirements.

For EOD operations the magnetic signature of the apparatus, including the mini excavator or attack platform and the cutting apparatus is established and brought into line with NATO STANAG B classification by degaussing in order to avoid detonation of any explosive device sensitive to magnetic fields. whilst degaussing may not be necessary for CMD operations, dedicated equipment should comply with the requirements in order to allow both EOD and CMD use.

The mini excavator 5 or attack platform should be positioned in the desired position adjacent to the explosive device prior to the construction of the explosionsuppressing structure 4.

A water tank lla and a pump llb are located outside of the explosion-suppressing structure 4, for the cooling system described below.

Figure 2 shows a UXB having a fuse located in a fuse pocket 12. The lines 13 show where transverse saw cuts could be made. The number of cuts could vary between one and six or even more. It is preferred to cut large unfused sections of the weapon and remove them from the fused section, but where the fuse has been suitably stabilised, a fused section can be cut and removed from one or more unfused sections.

The location of the fuse or fuses inside the explosive device determines where the or each cut is made. Thus, if the fuse is rear mounted then the rear end of the weapon is sawn free. If the fuse is nose mounted, the front of the weapon is divorced from the reminder. If mid-mounted, both ends are sawn away from the mid-section of the weapon.

Where both nose and tail fuses are present, both fuse holding sections are sawn away from the main body of the weapon. The invention allows for several cuts to be made either simultaneously or sequentially and thus the operator is not required to return to the weapon and reconfigure the cutting apparatus.

When performing the method of the invention otherwise than underwater 1 have found it necessary to continuously introduce a cooling fluid such as water into the region where cutting is taking place. As well as avoiding heat caused by friction and unwanted sparks which may cause the energetic material within the explosive device to detonate, deflagrate or ignite, the cooling fluid serves to lubricate the blade and its drive pulleys. The cooling fluid can be fed to the cutting region through a hose fed from a water main, fire hydrant, tanker or fire engine, or from a rough terrain vehicle carrying a tank and located close to the operational site.

Figure 3 shows an array of multi-jet nozzles 14 to which the cooling fluid is pumped via manifolds 15. The entire cutting region including the wire blade 2 and its 1 8 drive pulleys is blanketed with a copious, f inely divided spray 16 of cooling fluid.

The pump llb used to pressurise and deliver the cooling fluid to the cutting region can be driven from the mini excavator 5 but an individually powered pump can alternatively be used. A secondary abrasive product can be added to the cooling fluid for roughening the diamonds on the blade 2 if necessary.

A suitable sensor (not shown) located near the cutting region detects any cessation of the cooling fluid and terminates cutting in that event. For example, a simple cut-off switch could be held in the ON position by the pressure of one or more of the water jets. Moreover, since the entire cutting operation is controlled by a remotely located operator viewing a closed-circuit television monitor, the operator will be able to see any failure of the cooling fluid spray mechanism and terminate cutting if the automatic cut out fails for any reason.

The used cooling fluid is drawn away from the cutting region by suction heads 17. In addition to the banks of suction heads 17 provided on each side of the explosive device 3, further suction heads are provided for drawing away used fluid from the ground below the explosive device, from small holes or sumps which have been dug in the ground to catch the used f luid. All of the used water or other fluid is passed through a proprietary filter and then discharged either as effluent or to a secondary storage tank. In an alternative arrangement, the cooling fluid could be recycled by providing a suitable filter. This would be particulary useful in arid climates if the cooling fluid is water.

When performing EOD, the filter for the cooling fluid is positioned outside the explosion- suppressing structure and the filtered cooling fluid is discharge as effluent or to a secondary storage tank. Once the operation has been completed, the filter is destroyed by burning in a proprietary furnace or in the open or by neutralisation. When performing CMD in the field, the used cooling fluid can be captured in pre-formed sump or temporary catchment area and can optionally be re-used after filtering.

An alternative method of lubricating and cooling the explosive device is to place it in a tank of water. Where it is not possible to move the device, the tank could be erected around the device, in the form of a lightweight cofferdam (known in the building trade as a "shutter"). As a further step, the water can then be frozen and this will have the advantage of immobilising the device and preventing the activation of an anti-disturbance or anti- handling device or the reactivation of a stalled clockwork fuse.

In a particular example of the "frozen coffer" method, a rubber or polyethylene membrane is laid on the ground around the weapon and sealed to the weapon using a proprietary foam or mastic compound. A purpose built waterproof cofferdam, of plywood, glass-reinforced plastic, mediumdensity fibreboard, sterling board or other inexpensive sheet material, is then erected around the weapon. The bottom edge of the cofferdam is sealed to the membrane. Next, a freezing mechanism pipework is laid in the cofferdam, which is then filled with crushed ice. The freezing mechanism is activated such that the crushed ice bonds together into a solid block of ice. The freezing mechanism is operated throughout the cutting process.

Materials other than ice could be used in a cofferdam to immobilise the explosive device. Figure 4 shows a UXB 3 inside a coffer 18 filled with a rapidly-setting material 19 such as wet plaster, cement, grout, concrete, a resinous material or polyurethane foam.

If plaster, cement or concrete is used as the immobilising material then advantageously, as the diamonds of the wire blade cut through the immobilising material, they are roughened. In the absence of a roughening material on cutting through the steel casing of certain thick cased weapons such as those with armour or concrete piercing capabilities the diamonds may become highly polished and lose their effectiveness. Accordingly, if resin or foam is used as the immobilising material, a secondary abrasive can be added thereto. If an immobilising cofferdam is not used it is even possible to cart a concrete casing around the weapon.

it should be noted that the use of certain substances for immobilising the weapon may not be suitable for certain bombs or missiles due to the rapid temperature change, which may be a rise in temperature, caused by an exothermic curing process, or a drop in temperature in the case of ice.

If the weapon is lying awkwardly, for example vertically or at an angle against a bank of earth or clay, then it will be necessary either to erect a cofferdam of a configuration different from that shown in Figure 4 or to use the clamping means of the cutting apparatus described above with respect to Figure 1. This clamping means can also be used to hold a cut section of the weapon steady and then to lift the cut section away from the remainder of the weapon.

Reduced-size, unfused section of the weapon can either be removed from the ec-cplosion- suppressing structure and taken to a secondary demolition range for open burning or full detonation, or moved to that part of the explosion- suppressing structure further from the fused section of the weapon and covered with water-filled bags. The size and weight of the unfused sections will determine which procedure is chosen.

If unfused sections are removed from the explosion- 11 - suppressing structure it is importAnt to maintain the integrity thereof. For this purpose, a portion of the wall of the explosion- suppressing structure can be made removable to allow the egress of the mini excavator or attack platform bearing heavier weapon sections. If the sections are smaller then EOD operators can physically remove them through the existing aperture of the explosion-suppressing structure. If the sections are to be removed using the mini excavator or attack platform, the egress point formed by the removal of the wall portion should, if possible, face away from built-up areas. In addition, prior to the removal of the wall portion, an explosion- suppressing receptor wall should be erected facing the removable portion, such that on removal thereof, any straight line running from the location of the weapon to the exterior of the explosion-suppressing structure passes through explosion-suppressing material. Sufficient space to allow manoeuvring of the mini excavator or attack platform should be left between the receptor wall and the explosion-suppressing structure.

Once the unfused section(s) of the weapon have been dealt with, the mini excavator or attack platform is removed from the explosion-suppressing structure. The integrity of the structure is then restored by replacing the removable wall portion. Next, the fused section of the weapon is counter-charged and detonated inside the explosionsuppressing structure. The structure will have been designed to suppress the effects of detonation of the fullsized weapon, should such detonation occur during the cutting or defusing operation, and the blast effects from the greatly reduced fused section are therefore safely contained within a predetermined safety envelope. If the reduced-size, unfused sections of the weapon have been left inside the structure, moved away from the fused section and covered with water-filled bags, no sympathetic detonation of the unfused sections will occur on detonating the fused sections.

Prior to construction of the explosion-suppressing structure, a trench or hole can be dug, by hand or using the mini excavator for the sub-surface burial of the reducedsize, unfused section(s) of the weapon. Once placed in the trench or hole, the unfused section(s) will be covered with water-filled bags, and the burial of the unfused section(s) ensures that the protection afforded by the water-filled bags is enhanced.

Figure 5 (not to scale) shows an alternative cutting apparatus having a reciprocating action. A support assembly 20 is mounted on the support arm of the mini excavator. A blade 21 comprising a diamond- coated wire is fixed at both ends to a rocker arm 22 which is pivotably attached to the support assembly 20, and the blade 21 is tensioned by means of a hydraulic cylinder 23. An eccentric cam 24, driven by the hydraulic motor, and a compression spring 25 cause the rocker arm 22 and hence the blade 21 to reciprocate back and forth.

The cutting apparatus of Figure 5 does not include an integral clamp, motor support and feed assembly and is therefore light and can be supported on a longer support ar m or modified dipper arm of the mini excavator. If an integral clamping means is provided, its weight may necessitate the removal of the dipper arm of the mini excavator and the attachment of the cutting apparatus to the main boom of the mini excavator.

In a modification of the cutting apparatus of Figure 5, a plurality of blades 21 are provided to effect multiple simultaneous cuts. Each blade can be driven by an independent cam, the cams being interconnected in a modular manner with drive shafts each driving a set of cams driven by a single hydraulic motor. The cutting action of the entire system would be governed by the slowest cutting assembly. Alternatively, each blade could be driven by an individual hydraulic motor and this would mean firstly that on completion of any individual cut, the tensioning mechanism would withdraw the blade and the particular motor could be stopped, and secondly, that cuts could be effected sequentially rather than simultaneously. Sequential cutting would be preferred for EOD if it was considered that simultaneous cutting would cause unwanted vibrations.

A further alternative cutting apparatus operates in the manner of a band saw. A diamond coated wire is looped around a single powered pulley and optionally around a jockey tensioning wheel. Again, a plurality of such systems could be employed to effect either simultaneous or sequential cuts, the latter being preferred if excess vibration is to be avoided.

Rotary cutting is more rapid than reciprocating cutting and may be preferred for CMD operations which will benefit from rapid simultaneous multiple cutting of unwanted munitions. However safety must not be compromised for the sake of speed.

The size of the driving pulley wheel is chosen to suit the diameter of the explosive device. A single pulley wheel smaller than the device may be inappropriate as the diamond coated wire may be unable to operate through a very acute angle. Pulley wheel wear should be monitored, particularly in intensive CMD operations.

A still further alternative cutting apparatus comprises a single driving pulley, as described above, by the pulley is caused to reciprocate back and forth rather than to rotate. This is advantageous where a weapon is located in a relatively inaccessible location and the drive motor cannot be close to the weapon. The wire looped around the pulley only has a small portion which is coated with diamonds and acts as a blade. For example, a wire of length 4 to 5 m could have a diamond coated portion 1 to 2 m in length.

The alternative cutting system described above allow the sawing action to be configured in different ways. Thus, whilst the apparatus described with respect to Figure 1 allows explosive devices to be cut from top to bottom or from the side nearest the cutting apparatus to the side furthest therefrom, these further systems allow cutting to take place from the underside of the device upwards or from the far side to the near side, which may be beneficial in certain situations, and for these purposes the cutting apparatus in either suspended above or adjacent to the explosive device.

In an EOD situation, operators initially set up the cutting wire or wires of these alternative systems. However, the operators are not required to return to the weapon until it has been completely cut through. After cutting has been completed, the mini excavator or attack platform can still be used to remove infused or fused weapon sections.

In order to allow the initial passage of the cutting wire, small excavations of, say, 50 to 100 mm in diameter are made under and/or behind the weapon, using proprietary non-ferrous hand tools or a suitable water jet provided by a flexible rod.

Once the mini excavator or attack platform has been correctly position with the cutting apparatus located above the weapon and the cutting wire or wires threaded through the excavations and linked together, the or each wire is attached to its operating cam or looped around its drive pulley.

Examples of situations in which the alternative cutting systems are useful are given below:- a) An EOD situation in which it is preferable not to clamp the weapon f or any reason or where the - 15 is weapon is lying in soft ground or deep silt, e.g. on the bed of a lake or ocean. Apart from any preference not to clamp the weapon, the additional weight of the clamp may cause the weapon to sink into soft earth, mud or silt.

b) An EOD situation in which the weapon is lodged or buried in the side of an excavation, such as a tunnel, cofferdam or deep foundation, and it is not possible to dig around the weapon for fear of causing a collapse, particularly if running sand is encountered.

c) An EOD situation in which the weapon is lodged or trapped in the superstructure of a ship, building, bridge or other structure and the integral clamp cannot therefore be used.

d) A CMD situation requiring an efficient method of executing multiple cuts.

The cutting apparatus, however configured, requires a tensioning mechanism and this may be the hydraulic cylinder 23, which may have a variable or fixed pressure feed, or could comprise a system of counterweights or springs or a combination of any of these. For EOD, the tensioning mechanism should be compact and light and a hydraulic cylinder or push rod mechanism, fitted to the support arm of the mini excavator, is therefore preferable. For CMD, the weight of the cutting apparatus is less important and counterweights and/or springs can therefore be used.

Whilst Figure 1 shows an "Aw frame 9 supporting and steadying the support arm 8 of the mini excavator 5, the "All frame may not be required if the cutting apparatus 1 is light. However, where a multiple cutting apparatus is used, either the "All frame 9, a single leg prop or a mechanical or hydraulic support is required. This is necessary to avoid 16 - any downward creep of the hydraulic mechanism of the mini excavator, which may otherwise occur during sawing operations which may require one hour or more.

CMD operations unusually take place on a dedicated demolition ground and since the munitions are unfused, an explosion- suppressing structure will not be reacquired unless safety distances might be compromised.

In a CMD operation according to an embodiment of the invention, the cutting apparatus is moved to the or each munition which has been placed in a predetermined location. Once the munition has been cut, the mini excavator or attack platform, cutting apparatus and cooling system are removed and the sections of the munition are deflagrated or burnt in position.

When performing CM in the field; the munition is supported by means of cheap pallets or recycled timber supports. This keeps the munition off the ground and also assists burning or deflagration by adding combustible material to the region of the cut. In addition, by placing scrap timber under the munition, the heat loss into the ground is reduced, this minimising the risk that the explosive fill is left unburnt in the munition casing.

If, for any reason, it is impractical to take the cutting apparatus to the munition, then cutting could take place in a purpose-built facility. Figure 6 (not to scale) shows such a facility in which a munition 26 is submerged in a tank 27 which is fed with cooling fluid such as water from a storage tank 28, via a gravity inlet 29 and a feed pipe 30. The coolingfluid is recycled through the feed pipe 30 to the storage tank 28 by means of a pump 31, passing through a filter 32, which meticulously removes all explosive products.

The munition 26 rests in a cradle 33, which may be fixed or on rollers, this avoiding the need for a clamping means. A diamond coated wire 34 is driven by a drive pulley 35 and tensioned by a tensioning pulley 36 having a slide mechanism 37. The pulleys 35, 36 are indirectly supported by the floor of the tank but could alternatively be mounted on a proprietary subframe. An overhead crane 38 is provided for conveying munitions.

if the cradle 33 is movable by means of rails or rollers, it can be moved after each cut to avoid moving the cutting apparatus. Certain weapons should be cut longitudinally to assist burning or deflagration. For longitudinal cutting, a rail or roller system is provided to move the weapon through the cutting wire or vice versa.

An alternative dedicated facility is shown in Figure 7, in which two drive pulleys 39 and two tensioning pulleys 40 are adjustable mounted on slide rails or shafts 41. BY adjusting the distance between the two diamond coated wires 42, the size of the section being cut can be varied. A ramp 43 provides access to the tank for a forklift or other vehicle. Alternatively, the munitions could be introduced into and removed from the tank by a series of conveyors.

For larger munitions, setting up of the equipment shown in Figures 6 and 7 could be carried out manually in a dry environment, and the tank 27 is then flooded prior to commencing cutting. Alternatively, in the absence of a tank, a cooling system such as shown in Figure 3 could be provided.

Rackets, rocket motors and guided missiles can be disposed of in the same manner as shells, bombs and the like. Whilst rockets and rocket motors cannot necessarily be described as weapons, due to the propellant they contain, they are covered by the term "explosively combustible device" as used in the appended claims.

The present invention can also be used to dispose of chemical and biological weapons. The casing of a chemical or biological weapon can be cut open using the cutting apparatus, in order to gain access to the chemical or biological material which can then be neutralised. If a purpose built facility such as shown in Figure 6 or 7 is used to cut a chemical or biological weapon, then the latter is submerged in a suitable liquid mixture of neutralising chemicals or agents.

The invention can also be used to cut nuclear weapons or other nuclear material out of sunken submarines or ships. in case where the weapon-carrying platform has been damaged or the weapon delivery system or storage area is inaccessible then complete sections of the vessel can be cut away to expose the weapon or weapon pods. Similarly sections of the vessel containing weapons can be cut away and removed, as can nuclear reactors and associated components. Moreover, the invention can be used to cut up redundant nuclear weapons either underwater or in the atmosphere with minimum hands-on effort.

The present invention provides an efficient method of disposing of explosively combustible devices of any size, using an appropriately sized cutting apparatus.

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Claims (25)

1. A method of disposing of an explosively combustible device, characterised by cutting the device into a plurality of sections using a remotely controlled cutting apparatus.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cutting comprises sawing.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein a flexible blade of the cutting apparatus continuously circulates.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein a blade of the cutting apparatus reciprocates.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein prior to cutting, the device is immobilised.

6. A method according to claim 5, comprising 15 immobilising the device using clamping means.

7. A method according to claim 5, comprising locating the device to be cut in a liquid-tight container, filling the container with a flowable substance and allowing the substance to harden in order to immobilise the device.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the flowable substance comprises crushed ice.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein, prior to cutting the device, an explosion- suppressing structure is erected around the device.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two cuts are made to cut the device into at least three sections.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said at least two cuts are made simultaneously.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising a subsequent step of burning at least one unfused 5 section of the device.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a subsequent step of deflagrating at least one unfused section of the device.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a subsequent step of burying at least one unfused section of the device.

15. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising a subsequent step of detonating at least one fused section of the device.

16. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising cooling the device as it is cut by spraying a cooling fluid thereon.

17. A method of disposing of an explosively combustible device, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5, 6 or 7 of the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus for disposing of an explosively combustible device, comprising means for immobilising the device and a remotely controlled cutting apparatus having a saw blade for sawing the device into at least two sections.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the immobilising means comprises an integral clamp of the cutting apparatus.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, comprising a vehicle on which the cutting apparatus is mounted.

21. Apparatus according to claim 18. 19 or 20, comprising means for spraying cooling fluid on the device.

22. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, comprising a tank in which the device can be submerged in liquid, the cutting apparatus being arranged to cut the device when so submerged.

23 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the saw blade comprises a wire coated with diamonds.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, comprising an explosion-suppressing structure for housing the device and cutting apparatus, the explosion- suppressing structure comprising wall members and roof members both supporting or defining rupturable liquid-filled containers.

25. Apparatus for disposing of an explosively combustible device, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, or Figure 5, 6 or 7 of the accompanying drawings.