Application of gas-liquid film theory to base hydrolysis of HMX powder andHMX-based plastic-bonded explosives using sodium carbonate

Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is identified as a hydrolysis reagent for decompo sing HMX and HMX-base explosives to water-soluble, nonenergetic products. T he reaction kinetics of Na2CO3 hydrolysis are examined, and a reaction rate model is developed. Greater than 99% of the explosive at an initial concen tration of 10 wt % PBX 9404 was destroyed in less than 5 min at 150 degrees C. The primary products from Na2CO3 hydrolysis were nitrite (NO2), formate (HCOO-), nitrate (NO3-), and acetate (CH3COO-) ions, hexamethylenetetramin e, (hexamine: C6H12N4), nitrogen gas (N-2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammoni a (NH3). The rate of hydrolysis was characterized for HMX powder and PBX 94 04 molding powder from 110 to 150 degrees C. The rate was found to be depen dent on both the chemical kinetics and the mass transfer resistance. Since the HMX particles are nonporous and external mass transfer dominates, gas-l iquid film theory for fast chemical kinetics was used to model the reaction rate.