EFFECTS OF MOLECULAR-OXYGEN ON GAC ADSORPTION OF ENERGETICS

Munitions wastewaters are commonly treated by granular activated carbo n (GAG) adsorption followed by incineration of the spent carbon. The d esign of effective GAC unit processes hinges on the knowledge of GAC a dsorption capacity for the compounds of interest as well as the types of chemical interactions to expect. GAC can often catalyze polymerizat ion or chemical degradation of the adsorbate in the presence of molecu lar oxygen. Some adsorbates, though less common, may be subject to cat alytic activity even when no molecular oxygen is present. The products of these interactions may enhance or interfere with effective waste t reatment. This study individually evaluated the adsorption properties of a variety of energetics compounds. A number of surface catalyzed po lymerization and degradation reactions were noted. (C) 1997 IAWQ. Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd.