Degradation of hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3, 5‐triazine (RDX) by anaerobic mesophilic granular sludge from a UASB reactor

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the performance of anaerobic mesophilic granular sludge for the degradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Batch tests were conducted to investigate the effects of different supplements on the RDX degradation ability of anaerobic granular sludge, as well as the contributions of both physicochemical and biological processes involved in RDX removal from aqueous solution.

Anaerobic biodegradation of RDX and HMX with different co-substrates

“…Although the percentage of degradation is higher, they are unfavorable for applications due to relatively higher cost. Biological method is now the mostly studied one for treating explosive wastes and energy containing substances [16,17]. However, the time needed to completely oxidize RDX or HMX is generally long.…”

“…In consideration of applications, novel catalyst with higher degradation efficiency, good scalability, and lower cost are expected in biochemical methods. In this study, simulated RDX and HMX wastewaters [13,16,17] are treated anaerobically with or without co-substrates such as ammonium chloride, dextrose, sodium acetic, sodium nitrate and sulfate. The mechanism for biodegradation of RDX and HMX, and the optimal parameters for large scale application of the method are presented.…”