Safe disposal of rocket fuel
Melanj, a rocket fuel oxidiser used in the past by Warsaw Pact countries, is a highly complex mixture of chemical substances which evaporates easily and is highly toxic. In many countries, this liquid propellant is still stored in special containers, whe
Melanj, a rocket fuel oxidiser used in thepast by Warsaw Pact countries, is a highly complex mixture of chemicalsubstances which evaporates easily and is highly toxic. In manycountries, this liquid propellant is still stored in specialcontainers, where it was placed for immediate filling of missiles.These containers have deteriorated with time and now present a dangerfor the environment and public health.
NATO and OSCE pool resources
In order to address this environmental threat and pool competencies andexperience, NATO and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation inEurope (OSCE) held a joint workshop from 6 to 8 July in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Both organisations have developed considerable experience in destroyingthis chemical substance safely. The workshop was therefore anopportunity for NATO and the OSCE to lay the basis for the creation ofa framework for cooperation in implementing these projects. And moreimportantly, it aimed to offer joint assistance for melanj disposalprojects to countries that may request it.
Assisting partner countries
Sofar, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistanhave alreay requested assistance from these two organisations. Forinstance, in Georgia in 2002, the OSCE helped to transformapproximately 450 tons into fertiliser and is conducting a similarproject in Armenia for the destruction of 882 tons.
NATO has assisted in the destruction of 350 tons of melanj in Moldovathrough incineration. It is currently developing a project for theconstruction of a mobile melanj treatment plant that would have thecapacity to treat five tons in 24 hours. It is also developing a surveyof industrial melanj conversion capabilities with related costestimates.
Looking ahead
Inthe perspective of multiplying these projects in different countries,the workshop examined ways of identifying the best methodology andtechnical options to dispose of this substance in the most secure, costefficient and environmentally friendly way. It also looked intooutlining legal and managerial aspects of implementing these types ofprojects.