Degradation of RDX Using Granular Iron and Nickel-Enhanced Granular Iron

摘要

Hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazine (RDX), a common groundwater contaminant at military facilities, was found to degrade very rapidly in the presence of both granular iron (Fe) and nickel-plated granular iron (Ni/Fe) in column and batch experiments. Enhancement of Ni/Fe is insignificant as the half-lives of RDX ranged from 3 to 24 seconds and 3 to 11 seconds in the Fe and Ni/Fe columns, respectively. Reaction vessel experiments indicate that reaction kinetics is transport limited. Detailed analyses of reaction intermediates and products showed that RDX degradation proceeded same pathways in the presence of Fe and Ni/Fe. Ammonium, 1,3-dinitro-5-nitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (MNX), 1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane(DNX) and 1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TNX) were confirmed as degradation products, as previously reported. N_2O, formic acid and CO_2 were identified as novel degradation products in the presence of the Fe and Ni/Fe materials.