ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF ORDNANCE CHEMICAL WASTES

Complete, efficient, and cost-effective disposal of the secondardy explosives and propellants has been an ongoing problem for federal and private manufactures of ordnance containing these chemicals. The need for new disposal technology has been recently heightened by the current emphasis on waste minimization in both the military and private sectors, and by the discovery of these chemicals in groundwater at military bases and arsenals. In this proposal Environmental BioTechnologies, Inc. (EBT) with COGNIS, Inc. presents a SBIR Phase I Program for development of a highly efficient anaerobic biodegradative process for complete destruction of RDX/HMX, nitrotoluenes, a nitrobenzene and other ordnance chemicals. This proposed project will focus on biodegradation of RDX and dinitrotoluene in aqueous streams, but would be applicable in Phase II to other ordnance chemicals and contaminated soils. Additionally, this proposal will provide a plan for the implementation of this technology that should address this pressing need for the Air Force, DOD at large and private industry.