TM 5-814-8
Table 3-11. Typical TNT waste water characteristics
from 1.6 to 6.0. Analysis of wastewater must be
(mg/L unless noted otherwise)
made to determine specific treatment needs.
Continuous-Type Process
(d) Nitrocellulose (C6H 7O 5( N O2)3). To pro-
24-Hour
Grab Batch-Type
duce nitrocellulose, purified cellulose in the form
Process
Parameter
Composite Sample Sample
of cotton-linters or wood-cellulose is treated with
--
145
20.3
TNT
a mixture of sulfuric acid, nitric acid and water.
2.05
2.6
pH (units)
2.5
The nitrated cellulose is then purified by a
274
64
COD
673
combination of centrifugation, boiling, macerat-
53
213
107
Nitrate (as N)
ing, solvent extraction or washing operations. The
842
1,821
Sulfate (as SO4)
638
228
nitrocellulose ("green powder") is then combined
161
6,700
Color (units)
1,160
Total Solids
2,048
2,792
with other explosive materials to be processed
960
Volatile Solids
850
1,377
into various propellants. Waste materials gener-
224
Suspended Solids
619
98
ated include the cellulose- and nitrocellulose-
Temperature
contaminated acid waters from the vitrification
--
95
(degree F)
--
11.2
and purification steps, alcohol and ether solvents,
Flow (gal/lb of TNT)
and other waste material from the refining and
(b) Nitroglycerine (CHNO3( C H2N O3)2). Ni-
processing steps. Accidental fires caused by pro-
troglycerine is produced by mixing glycerine with
cessing of nitrocellulose into propellants are often
concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids, similar to
extinguished by automatic sprinklers, generated
the TNT manufacturing process. The acids are
highly contaminated wastewater.
then decanted, and the nitroglycerine is washed
(e) Black powder. The industrial classifica-
with water and soda ash to remove any residual
tion used by the Bureau of Mines defines black
acids. The two principal wastewaters are the
blasting powder as all black powder having so-
waste acid and the soda ash washwaters; and
dium or potassium nitrate as a constituent. Black
both contain nitroglycerine. Typical wastewater
powder and similar mixtures were used in incendi-
characteristics are presented in table 3-12.
ary compositions and in pyrotechnic devices for
Table 3-12. Typical nitroglycerine waste water characteristics
amusement and for war, long before there was
(mg/L unless noted otherwise)
any thought of applying their energy usefully for
Minimum
Maximum
Parameter
the production of mechanical work. Where smoke
315
0
Nitroglycerine
is no objection, black powder is probably the best
9.9**
1.7
pH (units)
substance that is available for communicating fire
10
340
COD
and for producing a quick hot flame. It is f o r
1,920
0.5
Nitrate (as N)
470
15
these purposes that it is now principally used in
Sulfate (as SO4)
5
80
Color (units)
the military. (129)
110
25,000
Total Solids
(f) Nitroguanidine (NO 2N H C ( N H ) N H 2) .
40
1
Suspended Solids
Nitroguanidine exists in two forms. The alpha-
80
50
Temperature (degrees F)
0.04
form invariably results when guanidine nitrate is
0.17
Flow (mgd)
dissolved in concentrated sulfuric and the solu-
**High values indicate a dump of the soda ash washing
tion is poured into water. This is the form which
solution.
is commonly used in the explosive industry.
(c) HMX and RDX, HMX ((CH2N2O 2)4) and
When alpha-nitroguanidine is decomposed by
RDX (CH2N202)3) are very similar chemical com-
heat, a certain amount of beta-nitroguanidine is
pounds and are manufactured by essentially the
found among the products. Beta-nitroguanidine is
same process, except for different operating tem-
produced in variable amounts, usually along with
peratures and raw material feed ratios. Hexamine,
some of the alpha-compound. This is accom-
acetic anhydride, nitric acid, and ammonium ni-
p l i s h e d through nitration of the mixture of
trate are fed into a reactor, forming crude HMX
guanidine sulfate and ammonium sulfate which is
or RDX; which is then aged, filtered, decanted,
formed from the hydrolysis of dicyanodiamide
and washed with water. Wastewaters result from
with sulfuric acid. Nitroguanidine on reduction is
spillage of raw materials or product, discharge of
converted first into nitrosoguanidine and then
cooling water, washwater and filtered water; and
into aminoguanidine (or guanylhydrazine). The
flows from equipment and floor cleanup opera-
tions. HMX and RDX wastes typically have a
latter substance is used in the explosives industry
BOD of 900 to 2,000 mg/L and a pH ranging
for the preparation of tetracene.
3-17
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