Accession Number:

ADA066118

Title:

Application of Foam Separation to Aqueous Solutions of Trinitrotoluene (TNT). Part 2. Removal of Organic Explosives with Surfactants

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Jan 1977-28 Feb 1978

Corporate Author:

POLYTECHNIC INST OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN DEPT OF CHEMISTRY

Personal Author(s):

• Okamoto, Yoshiyuki
• Chou, Eng J.
• Croce, Michael
• Roth, Milton

Report Date:

1978-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

60.0

Abstract:

Process parameters have been developed which permit purification of wastewaters containing dissolved TNT, RDX, or nitroglycerin by treating the wastewater with a surfactant of the quaternary amine type at a pH of about 11.5. With TNT, the surfactant forms a precipitate that is removed by filtration. The other explosives, if present, are removed by hydrolysis. This reaction is accelerated by the surfactant. Nitroguanidine is unaffected by the surfactant treatment, but can be destroyed by contact with an ion exchange resin. The methods of analysis are described for RDX and TNT in pink water and for nitroglycerin and nitroguanidine in other wastewaters. The recommended process for pilot plant operation is also described.

Descriptors:

• *AMINES
• *SURFACE ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
• *TNT
• *WASTE WATER
• *WATER TREATMENT
• CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION
• EFFLUENTS
• FILTRATION
• FOAM
• HYDROLYSIS
• INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
• ION EXCHANGE RESINS
• MUNITIONS INDUSTRY
• NITROGLYCERIN
• NITROGUANIDINE
• PURIFICATION
• RDX
• REMOVAL
• SEPARATION
• SURFACE REACTIONS
• WASTE TREATMENT
• WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT

Subject Categories:

• Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Processing
• Polymer Chemistry
• Ammunition and Explosives
• Water Pollution and Control

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE