Review and Evaluation of Alternative Technologies for Demilitarization of Assembled Chemical Weapons (1999) / Chapter Skim
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8 Parsons-Allied Signal Technology Package
8 Parsons-Allied Signal Technology Package
Pages 119-132
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From page 119... ...
. This technology package is comprised of five basic technologies: · The Army's baseline disassembly process, with modifications including waterjet cutting for rockets, is used to separate agent, energetics, and metal parts.
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From page 121... ...
121 Treatment of Chemical Agents and Energetics The chemical agents and the aqueous dispersion of energetic materials derived from wash-out of the munitions are considered together in this section because they follow the same processing sequence. Hydro/ysis The hydrolysis reaction conditions for agents are the same as those outlined in Appendix D
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From page 122... ...
Advantages claimed by the technology provider for the immobilized cell bioreactor are (1) more rapid reaction because the biomass that accumulates on the screen is more concentrated than in the free floating alternative; and (2)
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From page 123... ...
The technology provider has suggested a salt content of 2 percent as a reasonable level, although the microbial population can tolerate levels as high as 3 or 4 percent. The organic matter remaining in the bioreactor liquid from VX or GB disposal may contain low levels (ppm)
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From page 124... ...
Feed Streams The following materials will be required by the plant: · grit for waterjet cutting · caustic for agent and energetics hydrolysis and for gas scrubber solutions · nitric acid for pH control · nutrients for the bioreactor, with dextrose in the largest amount · a flocculating agent, probably a polymeric amine · hydrogen peroxide for final polishing of the bioliquid product · carbon adsorbent for gas and ventilation air cleanup · fresh water (no wastewater leaves the plant, but some water is lost as water of crystallization of salts, water with the biosolids, humidity added to the air, etc.) · decontamination solution (sodium hypochlorite)
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From page 125... ...
Input Streams Flocculent + Fenton's reagent Air Nutrients HD Energetic materials Sulfuric acid NaOH Water Total input Output Streams Air Sludge (wet) Water (evaporated)
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From page 126... ...
Therefore, the simultaneous removal and size reduction of energetic materials will have to be demonstrated. Effectiveness of Hydrolysis In the Parsons AlliedSignal Technology package, hydrolysis will be the main technology for achieving a 99.9999 percent agent destruction.
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From page 127... ...
Mustard does contain low molecular weight chlorinated hydrocarbons that are difficult to biodegrade, and they will be sent to the catalytic oxidizer, either in the effluent air from the bioplant or in gases leaving the evaporator. The catalytic oxidation unit is expected to be effective in destroying them, but this will have to be demonstrated.
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From page 128... ...
The catalyst has been shown to destroy nerve agents and mustard in short-term tests, but the technology provider recognizes that long-term data are limited, and durability has yet to be demonstrated. This is one area being investigated during the ACWA demonstration tests.
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From page 129... ...
In the committee's opinion, the technology package is conceptually applicable to the treatment of all assembled chemical weap ons. However, mine processing was not addressed by the technology provider, and successful biotreatment of nerve agent hydrolysate must still be demonstrated.
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From page 130... ...
Potentially flammable dunnage pyrolysis products are being characterized during ACWA demonstration testing, and the impact of these and other effluents should be considered as the design develops. The technology provider plans to hydrolyze different types of energetic materials simultaneously in the same reactors.
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From page 131... ...
Biosludge. The composition of the biosludge produced in the bioreactor is unknown at this point, although the technology provider expects it to be hazardous because it will be the sink for most heavy metals from the process.
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From page 132... ...
The relative effects of biological treatment and air-stripping on the destruction of organic materials in the bioreactor have not been established. This will affect the composition of the off-gas from the bioreactor.
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