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Title: Base hydrolysis and supercritical water oxidation of PBX-9404

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10103326

Base hydrolysis in combination with hydrothermal processing has been proposed as an environmentally acceptable alternative to open burning/open detonation for degradation and destruction of high explosives. In this report, the authors examine gaseous and aqueous products of base hydrolysis of the HMX-based plastic bonded explosive, PBX-9404. The authors also examine products from the subsequent hydrothermal treatment of the base hydrolysate. The gases produced from hydrolysis of PBX-9404 are ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen. Major aqueous products are sodium formate, acetate, nitrate, and nitrite, but not all carbon products have been identified. Hydrothermal processing of base hydrolysate destroyed up to 98% of the organic carbon in solution, and higher destruction efficiencies are possible. Major gas products detected from hydrothermal processing were nitrogen and nitrous oxide.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
10103326
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-94-3803; CONF-9411155-1; ON: DE95003685; TRN: 95:000466
Resource Relation:
Conference: 1994 Luxembourg international symposium on the rehabilitation of military sites and demilitarization of explosive ordance,Kirchberg (Luxembourg),14-18 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 9 Nov 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English