MuniRem Environmental, LLC

Hazardous waste like non-hazardous waste can be and is being converted into usable material. In this regards, nitrocellulose from explosive manufacturing is being converted into fertilizer. Ammonium nitrate from blasting explosives is being converted to fertilizer.

EPA Proposes Rule to Reduce Open Burning and Open Detonation (OBOD) of Waste Explosives and Welcomes Comment by May 20th, 2024.    For more than a decade, MuniRem Environmental has developed, demonstrated, and successfully applied an alternative technology to the disposal of waste explosives by open burning and open detonation (OBOD). MuniRem is an alternative technology to OBOD that is based on chemical reduction. Unlike chemical oxidation-based technologies, nitrate is not an end product when MuniRem is applied to destroy most waste explosives. MuniRem reagents are effective in destroying waste explosives, chemical warfare agents, and halogenated organics, while heavy metals are converted into insoluble metal sulfides that are not bioavailable. The MuniRem solution is currently applied to destroy bulk explosives, decontaminate explosives in different materials, and to simultaneously remediate co-contaminants consisting of explosives, metals, and chlorinated solvents in soil and water. Our MuniRem solution is among the identified safe alternatives to OBOD which are included in the 2018 National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the 2019 EPA reports on the treatment of energetic/explosive waste streams.

Chemical Treatment of Energetic Waste Consisting of Atomized Aluminum and TNT. MuniRem Environmental is pleased to report its success in chemically neutralizing half a ton of atomized Aluminum contaminated with TNT. Over a period of many years, our Client in the Middle East generated bulk energetics waste consisting of atomized Aluminum mixed with TNT during the manufacture of large caliber ammunition. After a failed effort to treat the energetic waste using a thermal process, our client gave up and sought an alternative that was effective and cost-effective. MuniRem Environmental was selected as an effective and sustainable alternative. We mobilized to the client's facility and used its open burning and open detonation troughs to chemically neutralize the atomized Aluminum and destroy the TNT into non-hazardous waste. MuniRem reagents were applied to convert Aluminum to Aluminum Sulphate and hydrated Calcium Aluminum Sulphate Hydroxide (i.e., the layered double hydroxide clay mineral Ettringite). Atomized AL poses an explosive and fire hazard while TNT mainly poses an explosive hazard. Atomized AL reacts exothermically and violently at acidic and basic pH to produce hydrogen gas. At high concentrations, hydrogen gas will cause an explosion when in contact with air (i.e., oxygen). Therefore, atomized AL mixed with TNT powder poses a significant explosion hazard and is not a candidate for disposal by currently applied technologies.  Our MuniRem technology offers a safe solution for neutralization of the atomized AL and chemical conversion into Aluminum Sulphate (AL2(SO4)3) and Calcium Aluminum Sulphate hydrate - Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O, while the TNT is simultaneously destroyed into carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and ammonia, and organic anions. Aluminum Sulphate is used for water purification and chemical phosphorus removal from wastewater. Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Sulphate is a layered double hydrated clay mineral. MuniRem Environmental remains committed to the application of its MuniRem products as an alternative disposal solution for explosives and other energetics. The MuniRem solution avoids the carbon and other environmental pollution hazards associated with open burning and open detonation of energetic waste.

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MuniRem Environmental continues to make remarkable progress in providing a chemical-based solution as an alternative to the Open Burning and Open Detonation (OBOD) of bulk explosives. In the past couple of weeks, we worked with our clients in Europe and the United States in applying MuniRem products as a safe and portable solution for the chemical destruction of bulk PETN and Nitrocellulose gunpowder. The scalability and versatility of our portable MuniRem solution contributes to mitigating carbon pollution and our overheating planet.

MuniRem Environmental continues to make remarkable progress in providing a chemical-based solution as an alternative to the Open Burning and Open Detonation (OBOD) of bulk explosives. In the past couple of weeks, we worked with our clients in Europe and the United States in applying MuniRem products as a safe and portable solution for the chemical destruction of bulk PETN and Nitrocellulose gunpowder. The scalability and versatility of our portable MuniRem solution contributes to mitigating carbon pollution and our overheating planet.

Biochemical Conversion of Nitrocellulose Propellants MuniRem Environmental now offers multiple alternatives to the open burning and incineration of Nitrocellulose Propellants. Specifically, Nitrocellulose Propellants are: 1. Chemically destroyed to wastewater and sludge using MuniRem reagents and characterized before disposed of as non-hazardous waste. 2. Chemically converted to liquid fertilizer without sludge formed. 3. Bioconverted to compost fertilizer. At MuniRem Environmental, we are relentless in our pursuit of innovations that minimize carbon pollution.

Responding to the Need for Innovative Technologies for Explosives Disposal MuniRem Environmental just celebrated ten (10) years of applying its environmentally friendly chemical solution (MuniRem®) to neutralize and destroy civil and military explosives into non-hazardous end products.  MuniRem® is a scalable and versatile solution for mitigating explosives and chemical warfare hazards.  It is often referred to as a Peace and Better World Technology and an alternative to the disposal of energetics hazardous waste by open burning and open detonation (OB/OD). In 2024, MuniRem Environmental will continue to grow the global application of its portfolio of innovative explosives disposal technologies by combining its new and versatile biological technologies with its existing chemical solutions.  Our MuniRem® reagents currently applied globally to destroy explosives into non-hazardous waste will be complemented with biological methods that convert some bulk explosives such as nitrocellulose and ammonium nitrate blasting explosives into fertilizer. At MuniRem Environmental, we would rather convert discarded bulk nitrocellulose fines and ammonium nitrate emulsion into plant nutrients than dispose of them as hazardous waste.  Our innovative, scalable, and versatile solutions also achieve in-situ remediation of explosives, heavy metals, and other hazardous organic compounds in soil and water simultaneously, avoiding climate unfriendly solutions such as dig-and-haul and pump-and-treat. MuniRem Environmental has remained committed to growing the elimination of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) worldwide with its Peace and Better World Technologies. More information about MuniRem is available at www.munirem.com. 

MuniRem Environmental is proud to announce that we recently conducted a training session in Saudi Arabia as part of our global mission to educate practitioners on the application of our innovative MuniRem technology. Our commitment to providing environmentally friendly alternatives to the disposal of explosives by open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) drives our relentless efforts to expand our global footprint. Join us in our mission to neutralize and destroy civil and military explosives in an eco-friendly way.

2023 EPA Decontamination Research and Development Conference