Incineration By-Products of AA2, NC Fines, and NG Slums

Abstract : Incineration is one technology used for thermal treatment of energetic materials (EM) and associated energetic wastes (EW). Knowledge of the by-products from incineration is invaluable for the proper design of emission control systems and selection of operating parameters to ensure maximum destruction efficiency. This project focuses on uncovering the by-products resulting from the incineration of EM and EW. The sampling and analysis of by-products from a hazardous waste incinerator were performed at an Army installation during the burning of several Army waste streams. The three EW burned at this rotary kiln incinerator are nitrocellulose (NC) fines, nitroglycerin (NO) slums, and AA2, a solventless double base propellant. Combustion by-products were collected from a sampling port located between the rotary kiln and incinerator afterburner, upstream of all pollution control devices. Several different sample collection trains were used for characterization of the by-products including volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and total hydrocarbons. The collection plan, the instrumental set-up, and the analytical results are presented for the incineration of all three EW listed above. The challenges and problems encountered during sample collection at the incinerator kiln port are discussed as well as solutions used to overcome these problems.