Original Date: 02/28/2000
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

In 1989, Crane Army Ammunition Activity proceeded with the creation and operation of a white phosphorus conversion facility that converts solid white phosphorus material into phosphoric acid by first penetrating the container and allowing the oxygen-activated material to smolder. This is the only facility of its kind in the Americas, having the capacity to consume 11,550 pounds of white phosphorus per day.

In the demilitarization of white phosphorus munitions, three recognized methods for disposal existed: (1) open burn, (2) open-detonation, and (3) off-shore dumping. None of these methods took the effects on the environment into consideration, and they lacked any payback incentives on invested labor dollars.

In 1989, Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) proceeded with the creation and operation of a white phosphorus conversion facility. This facility converts solid white phosphorus material into phosphoric acid by first penetrating the container and allowing the oxygen-activated material to smolder. A conveyor belt system then feeds the container into a natural gas-fired furnace to accelerate the extraction process. The internal walls of the rotary furnace have spiral ribs which guide the container through a cycle that allows time for the material to be fully defused from the container in the form of acidic smoke/fumes. These fumes are drawn away through a heat exchanger and collected in a series of cooling towers with internal water mist. The combination of cooling and the addition of the water mist solidify the fumes as phosphoric acid, thereby recouping 75% of the material input. The empty container is then ejected at the opposite end of the furnace and recycled.

This is the only facility of its kind in the Americas. It has the capacity to consume 11,550 pounds of white phosphorus per day, producing 3,640 gallons of phosphoric acid per 10-hour shift. Current capabilities accept any white phosphorus round from the size of a grenade to a 155mm projectile. Both the phosphoric acid and the metal are recycled leaving no waste by-products.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.