Treatment Alternatives for Explosive-Laden Spent Carbons
Abstract
Several of the U.S. Army's Manufacturing facilities use activated carbon columns to remove 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethylene- nitramine (RDX) from the plant wastewater effluents. The eight principal generators of explosive-laden waste carbons from those columns utilize about 466,000 1b/year of such carbons, according to questionnaires completed by them. Disposal of the spent (i.e., explosive-saturated) carbon from these installations has classically been accomplished by open burning, but this is no longer allowed in many areas. This report investigates three other alternatives: Thermal Reactivation for Reuse, Oxidative Incineration and Ash Burial, and Thermal deactivation and Carbon Burial. Explosive-laden spent carbons from four Army Ammunition Plants (AAPs) have already been processed by a commercial reactivator. Thermal reactivation for reuse was accomplished with about 90% yield (weight basis), but the product was sometimes structurally weak and thus liable to crumble, forming undesirable fines. The only experience with reactivating explosive-laden carbons to date is in rotary kilns; other processing techniques are discussed in this report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA199506
Entities
People
- Armand A. Balasco
- E. L. Field
- G. C. Cheng
Organizations
- Arthur D. Little