Enzymes for Degradation of Energetic Materials and Demilitarization of Explosives Stockpiles

WP-1078

Objective

WP-1078 Project Graphic

TNT Concentrations as Function of Time

To comply with Federal and local regulations arising from the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Department of Defense (DoD) needs to develop innovative, safe, and environmentally acceptable alternatives to open burning/ open detonation (OB/OD) for the destruction of explosives in stockpiles and the demilitarization of obsolete weapons systems components.

This basic research project seeks to isolate naturally occurring enzymes capable of degrading chemical constituents of explosives in aqueous solution (by hydrolysis or redox). These enzymes then could be utilized in a low-cost system for energetics stabilization or destruction.

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Technical Approach

Enzymes exhibit very specific chemical reactivity which may be employed to attack target groups and thus degrade explosives molecules, even though they are not naturally occurring substrates. Enzymatic processes are robust, take place under ambient reaction conditions, and are able to withstand high concentrations of reactants, products, and other weapons components.

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Results

Extracts from sources such as spinach leaves, buttermilk, and Escherichia coli membranes have provided enzymes that are able to degrade nitro-aromatics. Enzymatic reduction of trinitrotoluene (TNT) led to the formation of 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene as a major intermediate. This compound has many potential industrial uses and its recovery and re-use may be economically viable. In a parallel effort using chemicals to mimic the enzymatic activity, potassium superoxide has been found capable of rapidly destroying the nitramines RDX and HMX under mild reaction conditions. This project was completed in FY 2000.

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Benefits

This project will yield environmentally benign alternatives to OB/OD, as well as possibly yield value-added products which could be used as raw materials by the chemical industry. Low-cost mobile reactors are conceivable for conducting demilitarization operations at a variety of sites.

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Project Documents

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Steve Goheen

Pacific Northwest Laboratory

Phone: 509-376-3286

Fax: 509-376-2329

Program Manager

Weapons Systems and Platforms

SERDP and ESTCP

Project Documents

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.