24-10-2012, 10:36 AM
Conversion of Surplus Picric Acid/Explosive D to Higher Value Products
ABSTRACT
The global demilitarization of nuclear and conventional munitions is producing millions of pounds of surplus energetic
materials. Historically, energetic materials (high explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics) have been disposed of by open
burning/open detonation (OB/OD). The use of OB/OD is becoming unacceptable due to public concerns and increasingly
stringent environmental regulations. Clearly, there is a great need to develop environmentally sound and cost-effective
alternatives to OB/OD. The conversion of surplus picric acid and/or ammonium picrate (Explosive D) to1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-
trinitrobenzene (TATB) has been subject of extensive process development studies at Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (LLNL). LLNL, under the direction and sponsorship of the U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), is
developing a process for the conversion of picric acid to TATB on a pilot scale.