Laboratory Studies and Preliminary Evaluation of Destructive Technologies for the Removal of RDX from the Water Waste Stream of Holston Army Ammunition Plan

摘要

Hexahydro-1,3,5- trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is the primary constituent in the explosive munitions that are produced at Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP), Kingsport, TN. Part of a modernization effort for the 66-year-old plant includes the goal of zero RDX discharge to the facility industrial wastewater treatment plant. This study examines multiple technologies for removing RDX from the process waste stream at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. The treatment technologies evaluated included granular activated carbon (GAC), anoxic biotreatment, zerovalent iron (ZVI), alkaline hydrolysis, ultra-violet oxidation, and electrochemical decomposition. Evaluation criteria include capital and operating cost, and effectiveness in transforming RDX to nontoxic end products. Based on laboratory assessments using site water, alkaline hydrolysis and electrochemical treatment were selected for pilot scale evaluation. The RDX removal half-lives for the selected technologies were on the order of 0.25 hr with decomposition of RDX from 10,000 micrograms/L to less than 20 micrograms/L.