Destruction of waste energetic materials using base hydrolysis
In dismantling weapons from stockpile reduction, environmentally acceptable degradation of the associated high explosive (HE) waste to non-energetic forms is a critical objective. Base hydrolysis appears to be a simple, inexpensive method for converting propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics (PEPS) into non-energetic materials that can be released directly or, if necessary, treated further. We have demonstrated that many PEPs can be hydrolyzed with aqueous sodium hydroxide or ammonia at temperatures ranging from 60 to 150[degree]C. Hydrolysis experiments have been performed on pure compounds as well as DOE and DoD formulations, such as plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) 9404, tritonal, and rocket motor propellant. Small particle size of the energetic material is desirable, but not necessary. We have decomposed molding powder, pressed charges up to two pounds in weight, and partially exposed, metal-encased pieces. The products formed are dependent on the starting material composition, but usually consist of organic and inorganic salts, e.g., sodium formate, acetate, nitrite and nitrate. The major gaseous product from the base hydrolysis of PEPs is nitrous oxide. The time required for complete destruction varies with the material being hydrolyzed, and is dependent on solubility and mass transfer. Hydrolysis rates can be increased by particle size reduction, efficient stirring, and addition of organic solvent to the alkaline solution. Rate enhancement by ultrasonic agitation is a possibility that we have just begun to study.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOD; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6486584
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-93-1527; CONF-930572-3; ON: DE93012738
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. annual international symposium on thermal treatment technologies - incineration conference, Knoxville, TN (United States), 3-7 May 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
HYDROLYSIS
PROPELLANTS
WEAPONS
DECOMMISSIONING
ACETATES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
AMMONIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
LANL
NITRATES
NITRITES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SALTS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
EXPLOSIVES
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
LYSIS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLVOLYSIS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER CHEMISTRY
400201* - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
450100 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives