Date of Award
May 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
Committee Member
Carlos D Garcia
Committee Member
Daniel Whitehead
Committee Member
Kenneth Marcus
Committee Member
Rakesh Sachdeva
Abstract
The thermal decomposition of chemical warfare agent simulants via a novel and simple approach is reported. Utilizing pyrolyzed cotton balls as a substrate for the delivery of an incendiary agent into a bulk volume of mustard and nerve agent simulants, significant enhancements in the burning rates were achieved. Under ambient conditions, this method was able to thermally decompose simulants for both HD (sulfur mustard) and GB (sarin) series chemical warfare agents at rates up to 3.1 ± 0.4 g. min-1 and 1.9 ± 1.0 g. min-1, respectively. The approach proposes a simple and more cost-effective way to decompose these dangerous substances under ambient conditions with the use of a wicking substrate rather than high temperature incineration equipment or chemical treatments.
Recommended Citation
Lagasse, Bryan A., "Decomposition of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants Utilizing Pyrolyzed Cotton Balls as Wicks" (2020). All Theses. 3273.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/3273