Kinetics of the alkaline hydrolysis of nitrocellulose
Cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) is an explosive solid substance used in large quantities in various formulations of rocket and gun propellants. Safe destruction of nitrocellulose can be achieved by alkaline hydrolysis, which converts it to biodegradable products that can then be treated by conven...
| Veröffentlicht in: | Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation. - 1998. - 73(2001), 2 vom: 04. März, Seite 185-91 |
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| Weitere Verfasser: | , |
| Format: | Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2001
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation |
| Schlagworte: | Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Aerosol Propellants Tissue Adhesives Collodion 9004-70-0 Nitrogen N762921K75 |
| Zusammenfassung: | Cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) is an explosive solid substance used in large quantities in various formulations of rocket and gun propellants. Safe destruction of nitrocellulose can be achieved by alkaline hydrolysis, which converts it to biodegradable products that can then be treated by conventional biological processes. The kinetics of the alkaline hydrolysis of munitions-grade nitrocellulose in sodium hydroxide solutions were investigated in completely mixed batch reactors. Experiments were conducted using solutions of alkaline strength ranging from 0.1 to 15% by mass and temperatures in the range of 30 to 90 degrees C. Regression analysis of the kinetic data revealed that alkaline hydrolysis of nitrocellulose is of the order 1.0 and 1.5 with respect to nitrocellulose and hydroxide concentration, respectively. The activation energy of the hydrolysis reaction was found to be 100.9 kJ/mol with a preexponential Arrhenius constant of 4.73 x 10(13). Nitrite and nitrate, in a 3:1 ratio, were the primary nitrogen species present in the posthydrolysis solution. The kinetic information is pertinent to the development and optimization of nitrocellulose chemical-biological treatment systems |
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| Beschreibung: | Date Completed 25.10.2001 Date Revised 21.09.2019 published: Print Citation Status MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1061-4303 |