Determination of hexogen recovered from scrapped 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile mixed explosives by gas chromatography

Abstract

This study focuses on the extraction of Hexogen (RDX) from decommissioned CS mixed explosives using the Soxhlet extraction method. Recrystallization using a solution of rtnanol is utilized to purify the extract and remove impurities, such as CS. Qualitative analysis is conducted using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and a melting point tester. Additionally, gas chromatography is employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the recovered RDX. The experimental results demonstrate that the recovered RDX exhibits a strong linear relationship at concentrations ranging from 500 mg/L to 6000 mg/L, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9999 and a relative standard deviation (RDS) of ≤5% (n = 6). Furthermore, the purity of the recovered RDX can reach 100% through secondary recrystallization using ethanol. The quantitative analysis of RDX by gas chromatography offers the advantages of operating cylinder, high accuracy and high sensitivity.