1、Lessons Learned Entry: 0327Lesson Info:a71 Lesson Number: 0327a71 Lesson Date: 1993-11-03a71 Submitting Organization: MSFCa71 Submitted by: Fisher, MarkSubject: Solid Propellant, Fire Description of Driving Event: The propellant fire on November 27, 1982 at the Arnold Engineering Development Center,
2、 Tullahoma, Tennessee was a result of cutting propellants on the floor of a vertical test cell designated J4. The propellant being cut was the M-X stage II propellant. It was a class 1.3, 88 percent weight solids, HTPB, non-HMX propellant. The propellant had been subjected to rapid depressurization
3、as the result of the M-X stage II motor failure November 17, 1982. In addition, the propellant fell approximately 250 feet to a concrete floor. The propellant was submerged under 50 feet of water for three days. After the water was pumped off, broken pieces of propellant that could be easily handled
4、 and the sludge were removed. The remaining large pieces were being cut to manageable sizes using a procedure patterned after that used for cutting minuteman propellant. At the time of the fire the propellant had been drying for six days. It was established that the propellant sludge had gotten dry
5、and that the most likely cause of ignition was either impact or friction.Lesson(s) Learned: If solid propellant is exposed to conditions for which it was not designed, the propellant characteristics will change in an unknown manner, and may create more hazardous conditions than it normally would.Rec
6、ommendation(s): When performing operations (handling, machining, transporting, disposing) on solid propellant which has been exposed to conditions for which it was not designed, assess the condition for hazard potential, especially in regard to ignition sensitivity, and modify existing normal operat
7、ion procedures to account for the possible changes in propellant characteristics.Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness: Engineering consensusDocuments Related to Lesson: N/AMission Directorate(s)
8、 N/AAdditional Key Phrase(s): a71 Energetic Materials - Explosive/Propellant/Pyrotechnica71 Explosives Handlinga71 Hazardous/Toxic Waste/Materialsa71 Industrial Operationsa71 Safety & Mission AssuranceAdditional Info: Approval Info: a71 Approval Date: 1994-08-31a71 Approval Name: Fisher, Marka71 Approval Organization: EP22a71 Approval Phone Number: 205-544-9503Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-
