Abstract

Studies on Feasibility of Water and Sodium Carbonate Solution as Decontaminant for Disposal of Toluene Diisocyanate Waste

Author(s): T. Veera Reddy, Bakul Das and T. V. Ramana Reddy

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is used as curative in solid propellant system due to its immense experience in the process. This chemical is regulated under the clean air act as a hazardous air pollutant and has been documented to cause asthma, lung damage, in severe cases, fatal reactions. It is procured in 250 Kg barrel from Industry for solid propellant plant’s regular activities. The used TDI drums, waste generated on cleansing operation of Toluene Diisocyanate master hopper with dioctyladipate, come under hazardous waste. Such wastes need proper disposal methodology. A systematic study was done using water and sodium carbonate aqueous solution with toluenediisocyanate of known quantity. The presence of free isocyanates was confirmed through chromatography and spectroscopic technique (FT-IR). The results demonstrate that water, sodium carbonate aqueous solution are not effective neutralizing agents for Toluenediisocyanate and is reported in the article.