J.R. Simplot Company, PO Box 912, Pocatello, ID, 83201, 800-635-9444
The Simplot Anaerobic Biological Remediation (SABRE™) Process is a patented ex-situ bioremediation process for soils contaminated with nitroaromatic compounds first developed at the University of Idaho. The process degrades the nitroaromatic explosive TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) as well as the nitro-containing explosives RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitrotriazine) and HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazocine). The process has also been successfully used to treat soils contaminated with the nitroaromatic herbicide dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol). Due to the anaerobic conditions within the bioreactors during treatment, polymerization of the amino-containing intermediates, as occurs during composing, is prevented. The process results in the reduction of the nitro groups and fermentation of the amino intermediates to organic acids, such as acetate. A pilot scale demonstration of the SABRE™ Process was conducted at the Bangor Submarine Base in Washington State. Approximately 10 cubic yards of TNT and RDX contaminated soil was treated from each of two different sites: Site D and Site F. Average initial concentrations of TNT and RDX were 535 mg/kg and 1.2 mg/kg at Site D and 200 mg/kg and 22 mg/kg at Site F, respectively. The soil was treated in double-lined in-ground pits. A recirculating pump system was used to periodically mix the soil/water slurry. Treatment goals for TNT (33 mg/kg), its intermediates, and RDX were achieved in approximately 40 days of treatment.
TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitrotriazine), explosives, bioremediation, munitions
This paper is from the Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference on Hazardous Waste Research 1995, published in hard copy and on the Web by the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research Center.