Old ‘Mustard’ or Yperite Munitions: Methods for Destruction and Container Detoxification

Abstract

Problems associated with the disposal of ‘mustard’ CW agent have not changed in the period since initiation of large scale destruction programs. In particular, the presence of materials other than the pure chemical compound, bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, in the CW agents greatly affects the suitability of processes that may be proposed for their destruction. These additional materials include additives (e.g., thickeners or other chemical agents such as Lewisite), by-products of the manufacturing process, and products that arise from aging of the CW agent.[1] Thus, the destruction of ‘mustard’ involves the conversion of a multitude of chemical species into material suitable for ultimate disposal. Importantly, the overall destruction of the ‘mustard’ CW agent also requires that the material be presented in the correct form to the reaction stage of the process (e.g., as a liquid or in solution for hydrolysis).

Report of a Discussion Group Comprising Participants E. Koch, M. Koch, Leslie, Mikolajczyk, Modena, Mulbry, Petrosyan, Sokolowski and Yang.