Pink water, a solution of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitrobodies, is a major pollutant at ammunition plants engaged either in the manufacture of TNT or in the loading, assembly, and packing of bombs and shells. As an alternative to carbon adsorption for the treatment of pink water, two new methods are reported here, the first involving the use of ultraviolet (uv)-ozone and the second using a uv-oxidant combination. In the first study, a 3.79 cubic meters per day ((m sup 3)pd), equivalent to 1000 gallons per day (gpd), uv-ozone pilot system was evaluated. It was found that dissolved TNT and RDX were reduced to less than one milligram per liter (mg/l) with no by-products requiring disposal. A design for a 19 m3pd (5000 gpd) pilot plant was proposed. In the second study, a uv-oxidant process for treatment of pink water was examined. Commercially available uv water purification units in conjunction with an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide or Oxone, (a blend of potassium persulfate oxidants), were evaluated for their efficiency in treating pink water. Variables such as film depth, dilution, uv wavelength, and operation of the units in series rather than in parallel were examined. A design for a 379 m3pd (100,000 gpd) pink-water treatment plant was proposed.

Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, by the U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Command, Large Caliber Weapon Systems Laboratory, under Grant no. IAG-D6-0059. Includes bibliographical references (page 29).