Arctech Inc.

Joseph J Stashick

Daman S Walia

Harley L Heaton

A one step process is provided which denitrifies explosives and propellants and reclaims the evolved nitrogen therefrom while concurrently modifying the remaining carbonaceous materials into humic acid suitable for plant fertilizer applications. Explosives and propellants are hydrolyzed with a solution of ACTOSOL.RTM. humic acid extract. The humic acid extract fixes the free nitrogen evolved, preventing its loss as ammonia or NO.sub.x gases. The ACTOSOL.RTM. fixed nitrogen is then available directly to plants as slow-release nitrogen, and can directly replace nitrogen derived from urea or other sources in plant fertilizers., The carbonaceous material remaining from the denitrification process is non-explosive and is taken up in the humic acid matrix. This material is immediately available to plants as a carbon source. The humic acid matrix chelates any metal ions released from the explosive or propellant as a consequence of the denitrification process, and makes these metal ions available to plants as micronutrients.

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Leesburgh, VA, United States of America

Joseph J Stashick