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U.S. AND FOREIGN EXPERIENCE WITH CHEMICAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION 74 Both of these above neutralization methods are discussed in Chapter 6 . In both of the above cases, the products of the neutralization reaction were incinerated. Another neutralization process of possible interest for its destruction of VX is the reaction of VX with a mixture of ethylene glycol and phosphoric acid, reported for the former Soviet Union (Table 3-13). However, few details of this experience were readily available. In some of the cases reviewed, the amount of agent destroyed was comparable with or greater than that at small U.S. stockpile sites. In one U.K. case, the quantity of mustard destroyed was comparable with that at the largest U.S. site (Table 3-16). In France, a novel method for opening old chemical munitions has been developed: the projectile or mine is conveyed to the bottom of a deep pool rifled with a water-alcohol mixture containing NaOH, where it is cut open by a sand blast apparatus (Froment, 1993). Any lethal chemicals released are rapidly neutralized by the NaOH. However, the method is not suitable for disposing of large quantities of munitions and agent as is required for the disposal of the U.S. stockpile. SUMMARY Chemical neutralization methods followed by incineration have been used to achieve high levels of agent destruction. Different neutralization reactions have been successful primarily for GB, GD, and mustard agents (see Table 3-8). Incineration processes have generally been used to destroy mustard agent and are also being used to destroy VX and GB at JACADS.
