Emissions Related to Munitions Firing: A Case Study of Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Energetic Residue from Detonable Munitions

Abstract

Overall, the detonation of munitions represents an environmentally clean reaction. Six kilotons of energetic materials were expended in this case study during training in 1996. These included nitrocellulose (55 percent), trinitrotoluene (TNT) (30 percent), nitroglycerine (5 percent), nitroguanidine (4 percent), dinitrotoluene (DNT) (3 percent), and Royal Dutch Explosive (RDX) (3 percent). Based on previously reported test data (BangBox), energetic detonation emissions of environmental concern were calculated to be less than 1 percent. This residue contains nitrogen oxides (88 percent), a mix of volatile organic compounds (11 percent), and possibly undetonated RDX<1 percent). Preliminary assessment of emissions produced by munitions in this study indicates that both nitrogen oxide (NOX) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are low relative to other NOX and VOC producing activities including emissions from biogenic (natural) sources. Though the amount of undetonated RDX is low, further work is needed to validate this number and determine whether this source represents any significant health or environmental impact.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA572006

Entities

People

  • K. Cleare
  • R. Szostak

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Case Studies
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Energetic Materials
  • Environment
  • Explosives
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Munitions
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Small Arms
  • Small Arms Ammunition
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.