[CPEO-MEF] Neutralizing Energetics

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Researchers at the Energy Department's Sandia National Laboratory,
funded through SERDP (the Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program), have developed an innovative technology for the
demilitarization of ordnance and other energetic materials. Organic
amines neutralize the TNT, RDX, and  Comp B explosives in a
low-temperature chemical reaction. The gaseous byproducts are nitrous
oxide, nitrogen, water and carbon dioxide. Some of the liquid byproducts
can be used as curing agents for epoxy polymers.

The October, 1999 Information Bulletin (published by SERDP and the
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program) reports:

"The results of this research indicate that a viable alternative to
OB/OD [open burning/open detonation] exists for the destruction of
energetic materials such as TNT, RDX, and Comp B. The method developed
will meet DoD and DOE requirements for high throughput,
cost-effectiveness, safety, and zero discharge of toxic chemicals to the
environment. An added benefit of this technology will be the use of the
by-products resulting from the deactivation of energetic materials."

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 222B View St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/968-1126
lsiegel@cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org


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