An Effective Mitigation for Phosphine Present in Ammunition Container Assemblies and in Munitions Containing Red Phosphorus. Issue 2 (6th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manton, Graham; Endsor, Robert M.; Hammond, Michael
• Is Part Of: Propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics. Volume 39:Issue 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2013-12-06
• Subjects: Propellants -- Periodicals; Explosives -- Periodicals; 662.2
• DOI: 10.1002/prep.201300021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0721-3115

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>A major issue associated with munitions containing red phosphorus is that, during storage, red phosphorus can react, in the presence of moisture and air, to form a mixture of corrosive phosphorus acids and the toxic gas phosphine. This has raised serious concerns relating to the health and safety of personnel handling these munitions. This paper details the studies undertaken to assess the suitability of a chemically impregnated activated carbon cloth (phosphine getter material – PGM) for the static adsorption of phosphine evolved from munitions containing red phosphorus and its effective mitigation of phosphine present in both ammunition container assemblies and within the main body of munitions of this type. Laboratory assessment of PGM was undertaken along with real‐life ammunition container assembly trials covering several munitions containing red phosphorus and accelerated ageing trials using modified countermeasure cartridges. Reaction products formed from the reaction of phosphine with chemical impregnates were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). Aqueous extraction of the phosphine reacted PGM confirmed the presence of the acidic species orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and phosphorus acid (H₃PO₃).</p> </abstract>