Alkaline hydrolysis/biodegradation of nitrocellulose fines
Abstract
Cellulose nitrate constitutes an important industrial feedstock, with applications ranging from fingernail polish and photographic films, to explosives. The high level of nitration required for these explosive materials creates a significant environmental problem with respect to the necessary degradation of waste 'fines' inevitably discharged from their manufacturing operations. These waste solids have proven to be remarkably stable, leading to a traditional reliance on open-field incineration as a means of disposal. This research explored an alternative degradation procedure for the elimination of the waste fines based on alkaline hydrolysis followed by biodegradation. In particular, the effort focused on optimizing the hydrolysis operation in terms of solids reduction, practicality and cost. In addition, biodegradation studies were conducted on the resulting hydrolysate in order to determine under what conditions amenability to biodegradation was maximized. Primarily using sodium hydroxide at low concentrations and temperatures, this research effort successfully achieved complete solubilization and denitration of the nitrocellulose. The resulting hydrolysate, containing significant concentrations of nitrite and nitrate, proved to be substantially amenable to aerobic biodegradation by an acclimated, mixed bacterial culture.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Alleman, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.