Anaerobic Digestion and Acid Hydrolysis of Nitrocellulose

摘要

In military applications, nitrocellulose (NC) based powders are extensively used as propellant in bullets, shells, and various missiles for tube munitions. Residual NC produced during the manufacturing process is composed of insoluble fibers, or 'fines' in suspension. Currently, these suspended solids are recovered and reused. However, since the Army expects to terminate the reuse of pit cotton in the near future, there is a need to develop innovative NC treatment and disposal technologies. This study evaluated and demonstrated the potential for the use of acid hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion to treat munitions-grade nitrocellulose. As an alternative treatment, the concept of acid hydrolysis was developed and validated with bench scale tests. NC was hydrolyzed with high strength hydrochloric acid and was converted to glucose. The degradative intermediate and end products were identified and a kinetic model was validated.