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Title: An engineered system using base hydrolysis for complete disposal of energetic materials

Abstract

In dismantling weapons from stockpile reduction, environmentally acceptable methods to degrade the associated high explosive (BE) waste to non-energetic forms is a critical objective. Base hydrolysis appears to be a safe, simple, and inexpensive method for converting energetic materials (EN-MATs) into non-energetic materials. We have demonstrated that many EN-MATs can be hydrolyzed with aqueous sodium hydroxide or ammonia at temperatures ranging from 60 to 150{degrees}C. We have decomposed molding powder, pressed charges up to 3.5 kg in weight, and partially exposed, metal-encased pieces. The decomposition products consist mainly of organic and inorganic salts, e.g., sodium formate, acetate, nitrite and nitrate. The major gaseous product from the base hydrolysis of EN-MATs is nitrous oxide. The time required for complete EN-MAT destruction varies with the material being hydrolyzed, but typically takes four to five hours at atmospheric pressure. Products from base hydrolysis can be further degraded using biotreatment or supercritical water oxidation.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
10129336
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-94-444; CONF-940348-3
ON: DE94007529
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: International symposium on energetic materials technology and exhibits,Orlando, FL (United States),21-24 Mar 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES; HYDROLYSIS; WASTE DISPOSAL; DECOMMISSIONING; TIME DEPENDENCE; REACTION KINETICS; 450100; 400201; CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS AND EXPLOSIVES; CHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Citation Formats

Spontarelli, T, Buntain, G A, Flesner, R L, Sanchez, J A, and Unkefer, P J. An engineered system using base hydrolysis for complete disposal of energetic materials. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Spontarelli, T, Buntain, G A, Flesner, R L, Sanchez, J A, & Unkefer, P J. An engineered system using base hydrolysis for complete disposal of energetic materials. United States.
Spontarelli, T, Buntain, G A, Flesner, R L, Sanchez, J A, and Unkefer, P J. 1994. "An engineered system using base hydrolysis for complete disposal of energetic materials". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10129336.
@article{osti_10129336,
title = {An engineered system using base hydrolysis for complete disposal of energetic materials},
author = {Spontarelli, T and Buntain, G A and Flesner, R L and Sanchez, J A and Unkefer, P J},
abstractNote = {In dismantling weapons from stockpile reduction, environmentally acceptable methods to degrade the associated high explosive (BE) waste to non-energetic forms is a critical objective. Base hydrolysis appears to be a safe, simple, and inexpensive method for converting energetic materials (EN-MATs) into non-energetic materials. We have demonstrated that many EN-MATs can be hydrolyzed with aqueous sodium hydroxide or ammonia at temperatures ranging from 60 to 150{degrees}C. We have decomposed molding powder, pressed charges up to 3.5 kg in weight, and partially exposed, metal-encased pieces. The decomposition products consist mainly of organic and inorganic salts, e.g., sodium formate, acetate, nitrite and nitrate. The major gaseous product from the base hydrolysis of EN-MATs is nitrous oxide. The time required for complete EN-MAT destruction varies with the material being hydrolyzed, but typically takes four to five hours at atmospheric pressure. Products from base hydrolysis can be further degraded using biotreatment or supercritical water oxidation.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/10129336}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}

Conference:
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