Kevin W. Downey

Supercritical water oxidation of chemical agents, and solid propellants

Abstract Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), also referred to as hydrothermal oxidation (HTO), is a developing technology for the destruction of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes. SCWO destroys combustible materials using an oxidant in water at temperatures in the range of 350°C (662°F) to 600°C (1112°F) and pressures of 17 MPa (2500 psi) or greater. General Atomics and its subcontractors are currently conducting two comprehensive research and demonstration programs geared toward the destruction of Department of Defense (DoD) wastes utilizing SCWO technology. Wastes of primary interest include chemical agents and solid propellants. Technical challenges, particularly corrosion and solids handling, were overcome, and the destruction of chemical agents and solid propellants was demonstrated on a bench scale. SCWO results for chemical agents show destruction and removal efficiencies for GB, VX, and mustard agents to be in excess of 99.9999%, limited only by detection capability. SCWO results for hydrolyzed ...