Disposal Technology for Solid Rocket Propellant
Abstract
The results of prior lab studies at Tyndall AFB were used to design, fabricate, and demonstrate a pilot-scale, complete AP (ammonium perchlorate) biodegradation (reactor) system using actual effluent from washout of Minutemen stage 2 propellant washout supplied by Aerojet's Propulsion Division. Using an anaerobic reactor (1600 gal) in conjunction with the HAP-1 micro-organism discovered AFRL, it was demonstrated in both tests at both Tyndall AFB and Thiokol-Morton (Utah) that virtually complete destruction of ammonium perchlorate in wastewaters was possible. The operating costs for the bioreactor system shows that fixed costs (electricity, maintenance, and labor) are at a minimum for 2000-4000 ppm perchlorate effluents. This is because maximum thruput can be achieved near 4000 ppm effluents. Nutrient cost is approximately linear with perchlorate reduced. As a result, up to 4000 ppm perchlorate effluents can be treated for less than $0.10 per gallon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354525
Entities
People
- Hubert Attaway