Decomposition of Energetic Materials by Pulsed Electrical Discharges in Gas-Bubbled Aqueous Solutions

The application of high-voltage pulsed electrical discharges in bubbled water (PDBWs) for the remediation of solutions containing energetic compounds such as RDX, HMX, and TNT was investigated. Using low-energy pulses ( ~ 300 mJ/pulse), it was found that the PDBW was highly selective toward the type of energetic compound. The effects of a catalyst and of the pH value of the solution on the degradation of energetic compounds were also studied. HMX decomposition is most effective when the PDBW is used at low pH under Fenton reaction conditions. The degradation efficiency was higher for oxygen (O 2 ) than for argon (Ar) as the bubbled gas.