DEMONSTRATION OF THE PEROXONE GROUNDWATER TREATMENT PROCESS TO REMEDIATE SOIL CONTAMINATED WITH EXPLOSIVE NITROBODIES.

This (TRW Inc.) report concerns the demonstration of a field-scale plant for the treatment of explosives contaminated groundwater at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant (CAAP) near Grand Island, Nebraska. The target compounds are trinitrotoluene (TNT), trinitrobenzene (TNB), (N)-trinitro-1, 35% triazacyclohexane (RDX), and other nitrobodies. The process chosen is oxidation using a combination of ozone and hydrogen peroxide (the Peroxone process). The plant is capable of treating 25 gal/min, with a dose of ozone as high as 55 mg/L, in each of six bubble column reactors having hydraulic retention times of 24 min per reactor. Hydrogen peroxide is fed in the influent water prior to ozonation.

The purpose of the study is to determine the feasibility and projected costs for reducing explosive compounds level to 2 mug/L for the specific nitro-compounds, and 30 mug/L for total nitrobodies. The demonstration, carried out over a period of three months, shows that the Peroxone process is capable of oxidizing all of the target compounds, but very large doses of ozone and hydrogen peroxide are required to reach the target level for TNB, the most recalcitrant target compound. An empirical model is developed as a design tool, to provide information on system scale up to 1000 gal/min. The model provides not only technical feasibility on scale up, but also a preliminary cost evaluation. The report discusses cost implications in much detail. Recommendations for further work, and for potential cost minimization measures, are also presented.

(Order this INDUSTRIAL HEALTH & HAZARDS UPDATE reviewed report from InfoTeam Inc., P.O. Box 15640, Plantation, FL 33318-5640; Phone [phone], Fax [phone]: Report No. H990115; 1998, 205 pp. Price: $249.00, prepaid. E-mail to: [e-mail])