GC/MS Analysis of PETN and NG in Post-Explosion Residues

Tamiri, Tsippy; Zitrin, Shmuel; Abramovich-Bar, Sara; Bamberger, Yair; Sterling, J.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-0639-1_31

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The fragmentation of these two compounds is likely due to the length of the column (30 m) and thermal degradation. It is possible that a shorter column (≈6 m), thinner film (≈0.1 µm) and/or higher flow rate could help eliminate decomposition and identify the parent compounds PETN and EGDN in analysis 8…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These products of PETN are difficult to differentiate since they share similar ions as well as ion intensities. It has been reported that the thermal instability and similarity of EI spectra for PETN and related nitrate esters make it difficult for absolute identification by GC/MS analysis 8. Since the yield of PETN nitration of pentaerythritol is 95 % 12, it is possible these spectrally similar compounds are byproducts of the manufacturing process.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of Three Types of Semtex (H, 1A, and 10)

Moore

Schantz

MacCrehan

2010

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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Solid phase microextraction and solvent extraction were used with GC/MS to determine the vapor and compositional profile of three samples of Semtex (1A, H, and 10). Semtex is reported to contain PETN and/or RDX, along with plasticizers, binding materials, and fuel oil components. In an effort to differentiate and compare these three variations of Semtex, this report summarizes the headspace and solvent extraction results for each material. Components that can be used to differentiate varieties of Semtex were identified and all three Semtex profiles were distinguished.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Three Types of Semtex (H, 1A, and 10)

Moore

Schantz

MacCrehan

2010

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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“…2,2-bis[(nitrooxy)methyl]-1,3propanediol dinitrate (pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), Figure 1) is the most commonly used nitrate ester for these applications. Often, PETN is used in mixture with hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) to produce Semtex plastic explosive and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (3) and it has been detected in postexplosion debris (4). Currently, PETN is not vigorously regulated and the threshold limit value (TLV) and maximum workplace concentration (MAK) have not been established.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) by Granular Iron

Gui

Gillham

2008

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a nitrate ester, is used primarily as an explosive. It is of environmental concern, posing a threat to aquatic organisms with an estimated EC50 five times greater than that of RDX. This study evaluated the kinetics and products of PETN degradation in the presence of granular iron. PETN transformation in columns containing 100% granular iron and 30% iron mixed with 70% silica sand followed pseudo first-order kinetics, with average half-lives of 0.26 and 1.58 min, respectively. The reduction pathway was proposed to be sequential denitration, in which PETN was stepwise reduced to pentaerythritol with the formation of pentaerythritol trinitrate and pentaerythritol dinitrate as intermediates. The intermediate of pentaerythritol mononitrate was not detected; however, the nearly 100% nitrogen mass recovery supported complete denitration. Nitrite was released in each denitration step and was subsequently reduced to ammonium by iron. Nitrate was not detected during the experiment suggesting that hydrolysis was not involved in PETN degradation. Batch experiments showed that when solid-phase PETN is present, dissolution is the rate-limiting factorfor PETN mass removal. Using 50% methanol as a cosolvent PETN solubility was enhanced and thus the removal efficiency was improved. The results demonstrate excellent potential of using iron to remediate PETN-contaminated water.

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