Fenton oxidation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).
Oxidation of the high explosives hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1.3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) using Fenton's reagent proceeds rapidly between 20 degrees C and 50 degrees C at pH 3. At an H2O2: Fe2+: RDX molar ratio of 5,178: 48: 1, RDX and HMX were completely removed in 1 to 2 h. All the experimental data could be fit to a pseudo first-order rate equation. The reaction rate was also strongly dependent on Fenton's reagent concentrations. NO3- and N2 were identified as nitrogen byproducts from RDX and HMX oxidation. The experiment with radiolabeled RDX showed that approximately 37% of organic carbon in RDX was mineralized to CO2. We observed formaldehyde and formic acid as a short-lived intermediate. No other volatile or nonvolatile byproducts were found from GC/MS analysis. The results show that RDX and HMX can be effectively mineralized with Fenton's reagents.
Zoh
Kyung-Duk
KD
Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Stenstrom
Michael K
MK
D001392:Azocines / Q000737:chemistry*; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000737:chemistry*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000737:chemistry*; D014227:Triazines / Q000737:chemistry*; D014835:Volatilization; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D001392:Azocines; C045076:Fenton's reagent; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012378:Rodenticides; D014227:Triazines; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007501:Iron; C007950:octogen; C009160:cyclonite