Solid Thermally Stable Peroxide-Equivalent Chemical Warfare Agent Decontamination Reagent

摘要

This project focused on the initial evaluation of potassium ferrate (VI) as an effective decontaminant for CWAs. The technical objectives were: (1) Quantify the extent, if any, to which a ferrate (VI)-based decontamination of HD and VX generated toxic degradation products. (2) Measure the thermal stability of potassium ferrate (VI) at 71 degrees C, in accordance with AR 70- 38, under isothermal and cyclic temperature conditions. (3) Determine the decontamination yields of potassium ferrate (VI) on HD and VX. Potassium ferrate (VI) demonstrated greater than 99% destruction efficiencies for decontaminating HD and VX at ambient conditions without the formation of toxic degradation products. Under isothermal and cyclic storage conditions of 71 degrees C, potassium ferrate (VI) retained 90% and 93% of its initial purity after 98 and 82 days, respectively. At the conditions tested, the agents appear to have mostly converted to LCNNTOs or fully mineralized. With these results, all of the project deliverables were met successfully. Coupled with its known efficient biocidal properties and probable low toxicity, corrosion, hazard, and environmental impact features, ferrate appears to possess the needed properties for a broad-spectrum, low-cost general purpose, widely distributed chemical- biological decontamination (CBD) reagent. These results justify taking the next steps in developing this unique reagent into a widely distributed product for CBD.