TM 5-814-8
some process wastes are also provided. The
accurate assessment and management of waste
flow and quality.
quantity and quality of process wastes produced
( c ) Environmental impact. The blood-red
often vary in similar installations; therefore, data
presented are descriptive only. To establish basic
color from red water produced in TNT manufac-
ture and fish kills resulting from high acid
design criteria, more detail is required. The appli-
concentrations are the most readily visible envi-
cability of the wastewater treatment and sludge
ronmental impacts of improperly treated explo-
disposal processes presented elsewhere is dis-
sive wastes. High oxygen demand, excessive ni-
cussed for each special process in this section.
trate compounds, elevated temperature and high
b. Munitions wastes. Wastes generated from
the munitions industry originate from both manu-
suspended solids also contribute to the gradual
facturing (MFG) plants as well as loading, assem-
degradation of the receiving body of water.
bling and packing (LAP) facilities.
(d) Treatability. Explosives manufacturing
(1) Explosives and propellants. The major
wastes are sometimes toxic to conventional bio-
logical treatment plants, but may be treated by
explosive product produced is trinitrotoluene
(TNT). Other explosive chemicals that are gener-
physical and chemical methods and by specifically
ated in military installations include:
adapted biological means. Waste acids may be
neutralized with lime or other alkaline material
--nitroglycerine.
--HMX and RDX.
using conventional pH control methods. Acti-
vated carbon adsorption has been successful for
--tetryl.
removing color-causing TNT compounds as well
--nitrocellulose.
as HMX and RDX (20)(116)(130). The acidic
--black powder.
--nitroguanidine.
wastes must not be neutralized with lime until
--lead azide.
after carbon treatment, because color removal
--lead styphnate.
efficiency is greater at low pH, and precipitates
A description of the manufacturing process uti-
formed by lime addition will encrust and clog the
lized for each explosive, as well as typical waste-
carbon column. Color may also be removed by ion
water characteristics are included in chapter 3.
exchange, although problems exist with resin
(a) Waste reduction. Process changes to
regeneration. Wastewater from an acid plant in a
T N T manufacturing complex has been success-
include increased chemical recovery/reuse and
fully treated by lime precipitation followed by ion
good housekeeping are important waste reduction
practices in the manufacture of explosives and
exchange (11 5). Biodegradable explosives wastes,
propellants. For examples, as indicated in chapter
including dynamite, nitrocellulose, HMX and
RDX and TNT to some extent, may be treated by
3, changing from batch-type to continuous TNT
manufacturing resulted in lower chemical and
biological methods such as land irrigation or
water usage and reduced waste volumes (20)(23)
activated sludge after process proof by bench and
(116). High pressure water sprays also may result
pilot scale studies (77)(106)(107). Lead resulting
from the production of lead azide and lead
in decreased cleanup water usage. Batch-dumping
of process wastes and acids must be discouraged.
styphnate may be removed by chemical precipita-
Whenever cooling water is reasonably uncontami-
tion using sodium sulfhydrate.
nated, it should be segregated from the contami-
(e) Red water treatment. Red water is cur-
nated water streams, thereby reducing the vol-
rently one of the most difficult disposal problems.
ume of waste to be treated.
Red water has been sold to kraft paper mills
(b) Sampling and gaging. Care must be
when transportation costs make this economically
taken in establishing a sampling program for
feasible. In other cases, it has been burned in an
explosives manufacturing wastes which will accu-
incinerator. Where land permits, evaporation
rately represent the waste flow and characteris-
ponds have been used; care must be taken to
tics. This is necessary because of the difference in
effectively line the pond to prevent ground water
waste characteristics from different manufactur-
contamination from leaching. Fluidized bed incin-
ing plants, even if they are making the same
eration and recycle of the resultant ash are being
studied (87).
product. Batch dumping, periodic cleanup opera-
tions and changes in production levels all contrib-
(2) Projectiles and casings. The manufacture
ute to wide variations in flows and concentra-
of the lead slugs, bullet jackets and shell casings
tions. Such variations can result in the need for
generates wastewater different in composition
added treatment capacity and/or provision for
than from explosives manufacture. Waste constit-
uents include heavy metals, oil and grease, soaps
equalization storage. Cost-effective design and
and surfactants, solvents and acids.
operation of treatment equipment depend on
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