A simple
method to improve the thermal decomposition of chemical
warfare agent simulants is reported. Utilizing pyrolyzed cotton balls
as a substrate for the delivery of an incendiary agent into a bulk
volume of chemical warfare agent simulants, significant enhancements
in the burning rates were achieved with respect to either other wicks
or the incendiary agent by itself. To perform the decomposition experiments
and follow the reaction in real time, while still addressing the important
safety considerations related to experiments involving chemical warfare
agent simulants and incendiary agents, a simple instrument was assembled
in a laboratory hood, where all experiments were performed. Under
ambient conditions, this method was able to enhance the decomposition
of simulants for both sulfur mustard (HD) and sarin (GB) chemical
warfare agents. Overall, the proposed approach represents one of the
simplest and more cost-effective ways to improve the decomposition
of these dangerous substances, presenting options for field expedient
and low-cost processes that could be applied in the near future to
the safe destruction of an actual CWA.