Shock-Induced Chemical Changes in Organic Compound. Dispersed In Geologic Media
Abstract
In order to examine the potential of wing shock waves for Promoting chemical changes in organic contaminants dispersed in geologic media, as a prelude to the development of a novel in-situ remediation technology, laboratory experiments were carried out on synthetic soil matrices containing controlled amounts of chemical impurities. Samples were subjected to peak stresses in the gigapascal range in the Shock Dynamics Center's specially designed gas gun facilities, and recovered. Chemical analyses of the recovered shocked samples through various spectroscopic techniques showed significant amounts of chemical conversion. More specifically, in research investigations spread over a 12 month period, six organic compounds. including some examples of typical soil contaminants (acrylamide (AA), benzonitrile (BN), diphenylacetylene (DPA), nitrobenzene (NB). pbenylacetylene (PA), and tetrachloroethylene (TCE)) were studied. These compounds were individually dispersed in Ottawa sand at an upper-limit concentration of 10 wt. % and subjected to shock pulses of approximately 10 GPa in amplitude and 2-3 microsecs in time duration. The shock treated samples were recovered and analyzed. It was concluded that under the chosen shock conditions, AA, TCE, and PA underwent shock-induced polymerization while NB underwent decomposition. In addition, based on the intermediates and products formed, it was possible to formulate mechanistic pathways leading to their formation. It was also concluded that, in the case of BN and DPA, more research was needed in order to bring about any measurable chemical conversion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA336542
Entities
People
- R. Mahalingam
- Y. M. Gupta
Organizations
- Washington State University