Hydrolysis of Energetic Materials

Assessment of Process Component Design, 113 Disassembly of Munitions (Steps 1, 3, 4, 6), 114 Hydrolysis of Energetic Materials (Steps 5, 7, and 15), 114... 

This finding is based on the test results presented earlier in this report for the EDS hydrolysis of energetic materials and on the effectiveness of the modified baseline reverse assembly and agent hydrolysis processes discussed in this and previous NRC reports (NRC, 1999, 2001a). Because hydrolysis destroys agents and active energetics, the resulting hydrolysates... 

In its 1999 report, the ACWI Committee expressed concern that the technology base for the hydrolysis of energetic materials was not as mature as that for the hydrolysis of chemical agents, that chemical methods for destroying energetics had only recently been con-... 

The kinetics of hydrolysis of energetic material precursors - mono- and dinitro derivatives of pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, and isoxazole has been studied by the polarographic and photometric methods [647], The alkaline hydrolysis rate constants experimentally determined depend on the nature of the heterocycle. A possible mechanism for hydrolytic transformations of nitroazoles is proposed on the basis of the calculated thermodynamic parameters of the reaction. 

Base Hydrolysis Base hydrolysis is being studied as a chemical conversion method for the destruction of energetic materials. Base hydrolysis of energetic materials has been studied previously by LANL. In prior research, they have shown that 1.5 M sodium hydroxide solutions at 85° to 90°C readily break down many explosives and their PBX formulations to nonexplosive hydrolysis products. In order to understand the process and properly dispose of or treat the resulting products, a mass balance is required for the process. This requires identification and quantification of the products. 

In response to recommendations from the NRC, the PMACWA sponsored separate investigations to provide a basis for optimizing engineering parameters for the hydrolysis of energetic materials. Many of these investigations had not yet been completed when this report was prepared. 

The testing program sponsored by PMACWA to develop data for optimizing engineering designs for the hydrolysis of energetic materials (as discussed in Chapter 2),... 

Caustic hydrolysis of energetic materials has been investigated as an alternative technology to the OB/OD method. 

Newman (1999) published a review of the known chemistry of caustic hydrolysis of energetic materials used in assembled chemical weapons, and recent work on the destruction of aromatic nitro compounds (TNT and tetryl) by alkaline hydrolysis has been reported (Bishop et al., 2000). 

General Recommendation 5. Whatever unit operation immediately follows the hydrolysis of energetic materials should be designed to accept emulsified aromatic nitro compounds, such as TNT or picric acid, as contaminants in the aqueous feed stream (see General Finding 3). 

Finding (Demo I) GA-1. Testing on the hydrolysis of energetic materials contaminated with agent will be necessary before a fuU-scale system is bnUt and operated. 

Newman, K. 1999. A Review of Alkaline Hydrolysis of Energetic Materials Is It Applicable to Demilitarization of Ordnance IHTR 2167, April 30. Indian Head, Md. Naval Surface Warfare Center. 

General Finding 2. The technology base for the hydrolysis of energetic materials is not as mature as it is for chemical agents. Chemical methods of destro3nng energetics have only been considered recently. Therefore, there has been relatively little experience with the alkaline decomposition of... 

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