Pilot-Plant Evaluation of Integrated Iron-Fenton Process for Treatment of Pink Water

WP-200524

Objective

This project will conduct a two-part, pilot-scale study to demonstrate and validate a zero-valent iron (ZVI) technology for reducing RDX in wastewater at Holston Army Ammunition Plant (AAP) and an integrated iron-Fenton oxidation technology for pink water treatment at Iowa AAP. The initial laboratory-scale experiments will derive and optimize design parameters for the pilot-scale systems and also will determine the optimal operational conditions for long-term performance and reliability. Pilot-scale reactors will be constructed based on these design parameters, and an economic analysis will be performed for pilot-scale as well as full-scale operations.

Back to Top

Technology Description

The integrated iron-Fenton oxidation technology is an innovative process designed to completely mineralize energetic compounds in wastewater. While ZVI has been used in permeable reactive barriers to remediate contaminated groundwater for the last decade, this project represents the first attempt to use ZVI as an aboveground reactor system for wastewater treatment. The system to be demonstrated consists of a ZVI-packed column and a subsequent Fenton's reagent reactor, in which hydrogen peroxide and Fe2+ generate Fenton's reagent. In this integrated system, the ZVI rapidly reduces energetic compounds and the Fenton's reagent reactor then oxidizes/mineralizes the reduced products. At Holston AAP, RDX reduced by ZVI alone subsequently will be oxidized in the industrial wastewater treatment plant. A joint patent by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the University of Delaware has been submitted for this technology and is currently available for public review.

Back to Top

Benefits

Integrated iron-Fenton oxidation has the potential to be a rapid, complete, reliable, and economical technology for treating pink water and other energetic compounds in munitions manufacturing wastewater. The Department of Defense would realize operational cost savings by adopting this innovative approach to wastewater treatment.

Back to Top

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Byung Kim

U.S. Army ERDC-CERL

Phone: 217-373-3481

Fax: 217-373-3430

Program Manager

Weapons Systems and Platforms

SERDP and ESTCP

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.