| This study investigated the reaction of the new nitramine explosive compound [2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)], also known as CL-20, in high pH solutions, which is a process generally called alkaline hydrolysis. Alkaline hydrolysis is known to degrade nitroaromatics and nitramines, therefore it is a promising technology for treatment of contaminated soils and waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of alkaline hydrolysis as an alternative technology for remediation of waters contaminated with CL-20. The kinetics of the alkaline hydrolysis reaction was investigated in a batch reactor with this compound. The alkaline hydrolysis was performed for CL-20 at pH values of 10, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.3, and 12.5. Measurements of CL-20 concentration at predetermined times were performed with a High Performance Liquid Chromatograph. It can be concluded from our experimental data that the CL-20 degradation reaction kinetics can be accurately described by a pseudo-first order rate equation, with a value of the rate constant of 0.86 min-1 for pH 12 at the experimental temperature of 25°C.; More knowledge of intermediates and final by-products is necessary to ensure that the alkaline hydrolysis transformation for CL-20 is an environmentally safe remediation treatment. |
