Feasibility of using nitrocellulose—solvent—No. 2 fuel oil solutions as fuel supplements for industrial combustors

The U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency (USATHAMA) is currently conducting a program with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to determine the feasibility of utilizing propellants as supplemental fuels for the U.S. Army's industrial combustors. Disposing of obsolete and waste propellants in this manner could be both cost-effective and environmentally sound, and as an added benefit would utilize the energy value of these materials. Tests were conducted to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the chemical compatability, of nitrocellulose (NC)—solvent—No. 2 fuel oil solutions. Acetone, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate were tested as solvents for NC. The results from these tests, coupled with an economic analysis, indicated that salvation of NC with the best solvent tested, acetone, and mixing with No. 2 fuel oil was not technically feasible or cost effective due to the low solubility of the NC. However, the economic analysis did indicate potential cost effectiveness using propellant—No. 2 fuel oil slurries as supplemental fuels.