Preliminary Hazard Analysis of Supercritical Fluid Separation of Energetic Materials | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

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Citation
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HERO ID

1503092

Reference Type

Technical Report

Title

Preliminary Hazard Analysis of Supercritical Fluid Separation of Energetic Materials

Author(s)

U.S. Army

Year

1997

Report Number

NTIS/ADA328056/7

Abstract

Final rept. Apr 96-Jan 97.
The Department of Defense (DOD) has a large inventory of ammunition, some of which is becoming older than desired for retention in storage. More than 400 kton are currently scheduled for demilitarization. Of this material, a significant fraction is Composition B, which is 60% RDX and 40% TNT, with 1% wax added. Research at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and elsewhere, particularly at the Phasex Corporation, Lawrence, MA, has demonstrated the feasibility of separating the energetic moieties by use of supercritical CO2. No special hazards were identified, and no chemical incompatibilities were found. The system is environmentally friendly in that it is a dosed loop system, and no hazardous materials can escape. Also, this system is designed for remote operation. This report deals with potential hazards from the scale-up of the system with which the feasibility of the concept was demonstrated.