Contamination of freshwater resources, fresh produce and some processed foods by perchlorate (ClO4 -) is a growing problem in the United States. The anion perchlorate is a naturally occurring as well as an anthropogenic chemical which occurs as salts of ammonium, sodium and potassium. The natural sources of perchlorate include Chilean caliche which is mined for use as a natural source of NaNO3 ...

The most promising technologies to remove perchlorate from water are ion exchange and biological reduction. Although successful, ion exchange only separates perchlorate from water; it does not eliminate it from the environment. The waste streams from these systems contain the caustic or saline regenerant solutions used in the process as well as high levels of perchlorate. Biological reduction c...

Large scale application of ammonium-perchlorate in the composite rocket fuels defines this compound as an important strategic material. The high content of oxygen in ammonium-perchlorate (54.5% w/w) and the fact that during the thermal decomposition does not yield solid residue, determines its application as an exceptional and irreplaceable oxidative compound in the composite rocket fuels. The ...

Perchlorates are high melting point inorganic salts that are soluble in water. There are five perchlorate salts that are manufactured in substantial amounts: magnesium, potassium, ammonium, sodium, and lithium perchlorate. Perchlorates are powerful oxidizing agents and at elevated temperatures, they can react explosively. The production volume of ammonium perchlorate far outpaces the other salt...

When an explosive detonates or a propellant or flare burns, consumption of the energetic filler should be complete but rarely is, especially in the presence of large amounts of non-combustible materials. Herein we examine three types of perchlorate-containing devices to estimate their potential as sources of contamination in their normal mode of functioning. Road flares, rocket propellants and ...