Oxidation of Chemical Warfare Agents in Supercritical Water

Abstract

Oxidation of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as Sulfur Oxidation of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as Sulfur Mustard (HD) and Soman (GD) and their simulants 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) in supercritical water were studied by a batch reactor. Results showed that HD, GD and their simulants 2-CEES and DMMP could be effectively destroyed into their corresponding mineral compounds by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). The mineral ratio was a function of reaction temperature, reaction time and oxidant concentration. But reaction temperature seemed to have more important effect on the mineral ratio than other two factors. Sulfur compounds 2-CEES and HD could easily be mineralized under 475°C and the inorganic products were mainly SO32- and SO42- , while complete oxidation of organic phosphorus reactants GD and DMMP needed a high temperature of >600°C. And under relatively low temperature, DMMP tended to form a white organic phosphorus polymer with P-C and P-O-P bonds. Results also indicated that P-F bond was more easily broken than P-C bond.