Treatment of hydrolysates of the high explosives hexahydro-1, 3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine using biological denitrification

摘要: Alkaline hydrolysis byproducts of the high explosives hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), consisting acetate, formate, formaldehyde, nitrite, were treated in a denitrifying (anoxic) packed-bed upflow reactor. Additional nitrite or nitrate was added to match carbon oxidation requirement. In 2-year study, more than 90% removal organic compounds observed reactor with 3-hour retention time. Removal quantified by measuring actual compound concentrations total carbon. The stoichiometry experimental results closely matched predicted stoichiometry. Formaldehyde acetate preferentially removed over formate. system N (nitrite):C (acetate):C (formaldehyde):C (formate) relative ratio 1:0.07:0.36:0.50, respectively. volumetric rate as 170 mg/L nitrite-nitrogen per day existing sources. cell yield (mass basis) reduction acetate/formate 0.21 mg cells/mg 0.16 chemical oxygen demand at 20 C. This culture also capable biodegrading RDX HMX when using an electron acceptor.