Base hydrolysis and hydrothermal processing of PBX-9404 explosive

Sanchez, J.A.; Flesner, R.L.; Spontarelli, T.; Dell`Orco, P.C.; Kramer, J.F.

doi:10.2172/49169

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…However, concern over dispersion of harmful constituents produced during OB/OD operations has prompted the development of safe and environmentally benign alternatives. One HE disposal process being developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory, − industry, − and elsewhere − is base hydrolysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Gas−Liquid Film Theory to Base Hydrolysis of HMX Powder and HMX-Based Plastic-Bonded Explosives Using Sodium Carbonate

Bishop

Flesner

Dell`Orco

et al. 1998

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is identified as a hydrolysis reagent for decomposing HMX and HMX-based explosives to water-soluble, nonenergetic products. The reaction kinetics of Na2CO3 hydrolysis are examined, and a reaction rate model is developed. Greater than 99% of the explosive at an initial concentration of 10 wt % PBX 9404 was destroyed in less than 5 min at 150 °C. The primary products from Na2CO3 hydrolysis were nitrite (NO2), formate (HCOO-), nitrate (NO3 -), and acetate (CH3COO-) ions, hexamethylenetetramine, (hexamine: C6H12N4), nitrogen gas (N2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3). The rate of hydrolysis was characterized for HMX powder and PBX 9404 molding powder from 110 to 150 °C. The rate was found to be dependent on both the chemical kinetics and the mass transfer resistance. Since the HMX particles are nonporous and external mass transfer dominates, gas−liquid film theory for fast chemical kinetics was used to model the reaction rate.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Gas−Liquid Film Theory to Base Hydrolysis of HMX Powder and HMX-Based Plastic-Bonded Explosives Using Sodium Carbonate

Bishop

Flesner

Dell`Orco

et al. 1998

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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show abstract

“…Because of both stockpile rebuilding and weapon retirement activities, a large amount of surplus explosive needs to be destroyed. Alkaline hydrolysis is an alternative to the traditional method of explosive destruction, open burn/open detonation (OB/OD). − Alkaline hydrolysis destroys high explosives by degrading nitramine explosives, such as HMX, into organic and inorganic salts, soluble organic compounds, and benign nitrogen gases (nitrous oxide (N 2 O), nitrogen (N 2 ), and ammonia (NH 3 )). The process operates at relatively low temperatures compared to incineration, is easy to implement and control, and is conducted in a closed system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safe Operating Temperatures for Pressurized Alkaline Hydrolysis of HMX-Based Explosives

Bishop

Harradine

Flesner

et al. 2000

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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Alkaline hydrolysis is used to convert high explosives to nonenergetic, aqueous compounds. Base hydrolysis of high explosives is exothermic (∆H RXN ) 2.3 kJ/g), and thermal runaway of the reaction is a possibility at elevated temperatures (>120 °C) where the rate of reaction is large. Thermal runaway could result in an accidental detonation of the energetic material being treated, so safe operating parameters for base hydrolysis need to be determined. To measure the safe operating temperature, base hydrolysis was performed at temperatures ramped from 20 to 300 °C. The results show that PBX 9501 molding powder detonates at a 185 °C bulk temperature in 1.5 M NaOH with a 4.5 °C/min linear temperature ramp and no agitation. The reaction of pressed PBX 9501 with 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 M NaOH and water and both pressed and nonpressed PBX 9404 with 0.75, 1.5 M, and 3.0 M NaOH and water did not produce a detonation with a 4.5 °C/min linear temperature ramp. A previously developed reaction rate model was used to show that thermal runaway should occur when the base hydrolysis reaction rate reached a maximum at a bulk temperature between 185 and 225 °C.

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Base hydrolysis and hydrothermal processing of PBX-9404 explosive

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Application of Gas−Liquid Film Theory to Base Hydrolysis of HMX Powder and HMX-Based Plastic-Bonded Explosives Using Sodium Carbonate

Application of Gas−Liquid Film Theory to Base Hydrolysis of HMX Powder and HMX-Based Plastic-Bonded Explosives Using Sodium Carbonate

Safe Operating Temperatures for Pressurized Alkaline Hydrolysis of HMX-Based Explosives

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