Anaerobic decomposition of highly concentrated nitrocellulose-containing waste

Abstract

Degradation of waste with a nitrocellulose content of about 75% and humidity of 80% under strictly anaerobic conditions under various temperature conditions has been studied. The possibility of decomposition of nitrocellulose under the action of the native anaerobic microflora of the bottom sediments of the sludge accumulator without an additional source of organic substances, as well as with the additional introduction of a source of nutrients, post-alcohol bard - waste of alcohol production was tested. In order to intensify the decomposition process of NC containing waste, the use of anaerobic consortia of mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms from existing industrial anaerobic bioreactors was investigated. It is shown that nitrocellulose accumulated in sludge accumulators does not undergo any changes and remains explosive for decades. Stimulation by an additional source of biogenic elements and the development of native microflora made it possible to reduce the concentration of nitrocellulose by 44 % in 100 days under anaerobic conditions and a process temperature of 35 °C. The use of a mesophilic biocatalyst with a volume loading of 30 % (of the volume of the liquid phase of the bioreactor) and an anaerobic process temperature of 35° C reduces the concentration of nitrocellulose by 39 %. The maximum decomposition of NC is achieved when a thermophilic biocatalyst is introduced with a volumetric loading of 30 % (of the volume of the liquid phase of the bioreactor) with a decomposition efficiency of 99 % in 100 days. The rate constant of decomposition of NC using a thermophilic biocatalyst was 0.0248 day-1, while the half–life of NC was 28 days.