Scientific Advances in Alternative Demilitarization Technologies

This text assesses a broad range of technologies, proposed throughout the world as alternatives to incineration, for the destruction of chemical warfare agents. Treatment of metal parts and explosive or energetic material is considered as a secondary issue. The technologies are grouped into three categories, based on process bulk operating temperature: low (0-200`C), medium (200-600`C) and high (600-3500`C). The reactions considered include hydrolysis, oxidation, electrochemistry, hydrogenation and pyrolysis. The technologies include a broad spectrum of processes, some of which have been studied only in the laboratory, whereas others are in commercial use for the destruction of hazardous and toxic wastes. This book aims to provide engineers and decision-makers with an understanding of the state of development of alternative technologies.