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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/26729| Title: | Use of activated carbon for the treatment of explosives-contaminated groundwater at the Picatinny Arsenal |
| Authors: | Fleming, Elizabeth C. Bricka, R. Mark |
| Keywords: | Groundwater--Pollution Explosives, Military--Environmental aspects Carbon, Activated |
| Publisher: | Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report ; EL-95-31 |
| Abstract: | Past military operations have resulted in the contamination of soils by munitions such as Research Department Explosive (RDX), High Melting Explosive (HMX), and TNT. The migration of water through these soils can transport these contaminants into groundwater. Many military munitions are known or suspected to be carcinogenic, and their presence in groundwater may pose a public health risk if the groundwater is used as a drinking water source. This reports details the removal of low levels of RDX and HMX from drinking water sources located at Picatinny Arsenal near Dover, NJ. This report details the use of carbon as a treatment alternative. In a separate report entitled "Ultraviolet/Chemical Oxidation Treatment of RDX-Contaminated Waters at Picatinny Arsenal," the use of ultraviolet/chemical oxidation treatment for the same groundwater is detailed. Typical levels of RDX. and HMX measured in the drinking water ranged from 4 to 6 parts per billion (ppb) and 1 to 3 ppb, respectively. Current health standards are above these limits, but it is expected that these limits will be substantially reduced in future years. In anticipation of stricter standards for RDX and HMX in drinking water, this study was initiated to investigate the removal. of RDX and HMX using carbon adsorption technologies. Five carbons were evaluated using batch isotherm tests. Based on these isotherm tests and economic factors, Calgon's Filtrasorb-200 (F-200) and American Norit's Hydrodarco-4000 (H-4000) were selected for detailed column studies. Pilot carbon column studies were conducted onsite at Picatinny Arsenal during the period of August 1991-August 1992. Based on the results of this study, it was determined that both carbons performed well, with both carbons having a high sorption capacity for RDX and HMX. Based on this study, it was found that the F-200 and H-4000 utilization rates were 2.05 and 1.99 ft³ (0.058 and 0.0563 m³) of dry carbon per 1 million gal (3,785,000 ℓ) of drinking water treated, respectively. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | Technical Report EL-95-31 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/26729 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR EL-95-31.pdf | 9.29 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |