Picric acid
What Picric acid is, and how MuniRem® treats it, in plain language.
What it is
Picric acid is a bright yellow explosive. Explosive D (ammonium picrate) is its salt and was used in older armor-piercing shells. It forms shock-sensitive crystals on metal and building surfaces and stains soil and water yellow.
How MuniRem® treats it
In a MuniRem reactor, 10-lb batches of Explosive D were degraded to formate and nitrogen gas in under an hour. At an overseas demilitarization site, yellow picric soil and water turned red-brown within seconds of adding MuniRem. Two weeks later the soil had regained its original color with no visible picric acid, and the treated surfaces showed no re-crystallization.
- MuniRem powder is mixed into soil or poured into water, or solution is sprayed on surfaces and casings are soaked for about 30 minutes.
- Water activates the reaction, and the yellow picric acid turns red within seconds.
- The nitro groups are reduced, and the molecule breaks down to formate and nitrogen gas.
- Lab testing confirms the result, with casings tested to DoD 5X.
What it becomes
Formate, Nitrogen gas, Sulfate (from the reagent).
Where it's found
Demilitarization sites, shell casings, process buildings, soil and ponds.
Talk to us
Every site is different. The dose depends on the material, the amount and the site conditions.
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