Review and Evaluation of Alternative Technologies for Demilitarization of Assembled Chemical Weapons (1999) / Chapter Skim
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4 Arctech Actodemil Technology Package
4 Arctech Actodemil Technology Package
Pages 58-70
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From page 58... ...
To balance the electrochemical reaction in the anolyte vessel, a cathode reaction reduces nitric acid to nitrous acid and water, while other reduction reactions generate NO2. The evolved gases pass from the catholyte tank to the NOX reformer.
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From page 59... ...
However, the data provided by ARCTECH indicate that the potential separation effect of this binding action is negligible for the chemical agents. DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE Disassembly of Munitions and the Removal of Agent/Energetics Rocket Disassemb/y The baseline disassembly process (described in Appendix C)
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From page 60... ...
Treatment of Chemical Agent The chemical agent drained Tom the various components is transferred to an interim storage tank where it is mixed and continually stirred with dilute nitric acid recycled Mom the SAVER ~ process. The dilute nitric acid provides the necessary water balance for the electrochemical oxidation reactions in the agent SILVER IT reaction circuit.
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From page 61... ...
ARCTECH precipitates the humic acid by adding nitric acid to reduce the pH to less than 2.0, then destrays the reaction products using oxidation with Fenton's reagent (i.e., hydrogen peroxide plus ferrous ion) for GB and VX, and hydrogen peroxide for mustard.
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From page 62... ...
From these scrubbers, the gases are directed to activated carbon filters for further treatment. The reactors are initially filled with an aqueous reaction solution prepared by mixing humic acid with either fresh water or recycled reaction liquor from which the humic acid has been precipitated.
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From page 63... ...
The parts are removed after treatment and combined with the small metal and plastic parts removed from the agent and energetic destruction tanks and rinsed with an unspecified amount of clean water. In concept, the treated metal parts/dunnage should comply with the 3X standard for decontamination and will be transported to the Rock Island Arsenal for final treatment to the 5X level.
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From page 64... ...
Waste Streams The major waste stream produced by the ACTODEMIL treatment process is the product of the stabilization operation, incorporating all of the effluent from hydrolysis/hydrogen peroxide treatment. Two products result from hydrolysis: precipitated humic acid containing adsorbed salts and organics; and a solution of salts and organics.
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From page 65... ...
EVALUATION OF TH E TECH NOLOGY PACKAG E Process Efficacy Effectiveness Laboratory and pilot-scale tests have shown that the agents and energetic materials are completely destroyed. Hydrogen peroxide or Fenton's reagent is used to complete the destruction of agents.
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From page 66... ...
Chloride ion concentration in the reaction mixture increased during the reaction, providing evidence of PCB dechlorination, but the completeness of dechlorination was not measured. The technology provider concedes that adsorption of PCBs on the precipitated humic acid is possible and that these adsorbed PCBs could be thermally Resorbed.
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From page 67... ...
However, the process was changed after the proposal was submitted. Hydrogen peroxide or Fenton's reagent could now be added to the hydrolysis reactors after the hydrolysis reaction is completed.
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From page 68... ...
The solidification system should pose no unique hazards. is associated ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEMILITARIZATION OF ASSEMBLED CHEMICAL WEAPONS Worker Health and Safety The hazardous materials unique to this process are potassium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric acid, all of which are widely available and widely used industrial chemicals.
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From page 69... ...
Stabilizing a large aqueous waste stream and disposing of the stabilized waste in a landfill may raise concerns among regulators and the public. Resource Requirements The amount of water and hydrogen peroxide could potentially be large.
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From page 70... ...
ACTODEMIL requires hydrogen peroxide in unknown but potentially large quantities to destroy the products from the hydrolysis reactions. This is expected to lead to large quantities of aqueous wastes, which will be stabilized/solidified and, therefore, will generate a large solid-waste stream (almost certainly RCRA hazardous)
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