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Using Supercritical Water Oxidation to Treat Hydrolysate from VX Neutralization (1998) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... The NRC was not asked to conduct an in-depth analysis of the entire integrated VX bulk agent destruction and disposal process for the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. As the facility design is being finalized (March 1999-April 2000)
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From page 2...
... The main function of the neutralization process is to break the phosphorus-sulfur bond in the VX molecule, which greatly reduces the toxicity of the neutralization/ hydrolysis products. The main reaction products are the sodium salt of ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA)
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From page 3...
... For the evaluation of SCWO technology for the treatment of VX hydrolysate, the Stockpile Committee reviewed documents on SCWO process fundamentals, previous applications, testing carried out specifically for application to VX hydrolysate, and the planned process design for the Newport facility; met with SCWO academic researchers, process developers from Sandia National Laboratory, and vendors; visited a pilot-scale SCWO testing facility; and discussed the process with the Arrny and its process design contractors. SCWO technology involves operations above the critical temperature and pressure of pure water (Tc = 374°C, Pc = 221 bar)
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From page 4...
... A vertical cylindrical reactor is the only reactor configuration that has been successfully demonstrated to date at pilot scale for the treatment of VX hydrolysate and similar waste streams. Additional development and pilot-scale testing of SCWO technology will be necessary to ensure sustained, reliable operation of a full-scale integrated treatment system.
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From page 5...
... RECOMMENDATIONS the number and characteristics of the physical phases, including large quantities of entrained and adhered solids and potentially liquid, gas, and supercritical fluid phases Recommendation 1. A pilot-scale SCWO process facility with the critical characteristics of the full-scale design should be constructed and operated to further define operating characteristics and demonstrate sustained continuous operation of the process.
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From page 6...
... Recommendation 5. Requirements for process destruction efficiencies and final disposal standards for all effluent streams from SCWO treatment should be clearly defined to ensure that the final design meets regulatory standards.
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Key Terms

  • vertical cylindrical
  • scwo reactor
  • cylindrical reactor
  • organic constituents
  • ton containers

  • additional development
  • using scwo
  • neutralization process
  • reactor configurations
  • supercritical conditions

  • residence time
  • ton container
  • supercritical water
  • scwo treatment
  • container cleanout

  • chemical agents
  • pure water
  • scwo process
  • stockpile committee
  • destruction efficiencies

  • processing step
  • salt deposition
  • process destruction
  • final disposal
  • basic reactor

  • ordinary temperatures
  • newport site
  • disposal process
  • water oxidation
  • process design


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