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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: Destroy Chemical Weapons Stockpile

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The Next Step for EDS: Destroying ‘One Oh Fives’

    Home PCAPP News The Next Step for EDS: Destroying ‘One Oh Fives’

    The Next Step for EDS: Destroying ‘One Oh Fives’

    Published: April 14, 2015 | Category: PCAPP News, Technology
    • An operator places three 105mm projectiles into the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System.

      An operator places three 105mm projectiles into the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System.

    • The destroyed 105mm projectiles are placed in drums and disposed of as hazardous waste.

      The destroyed 105mm projectiles are placed in drums and disposed of as hazardous waste.

    After having been closely monitored and protected around the clock for decades at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, mustard-filled munitions are coming to an end. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System, known as the PCAPP EDS, is eliminating problematic munitions that cannot be easily processed by the main plant.

    The PCAPP EDS is in the process of destroying 105mm projectiles, following the safe destruction of 10 Department of Transportation (DOT) bottles. The 105mm projectiles, which weigh approximately 32 pounds, are one of three types of chemical munitions in the Pueblo stockpile. Although the DOT bottles and 105mm projectiles are both filled with blister agent, the “one oh fives,” as they are called, also contain bursters and fuzes.

    “I am thrilled that we have started up the EDS,” said Terry Hart, chair of the Pueblo Board of the County Commissioners and vice-chair of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC). “We worked on this project for a number of years, and I always felt that it was the best technology to resolve problem rounds.”

    On April 8, crews successfully completed the destruction of three mustard-filled 105mm projectiles, marking the beginning of the end of Pueblo’s weaponized chemical munitions. During the first destruction campaign, the PCAPP EDS will destroy approximately 560 rounds, including 155mm projectiles and 4.2-inch mortars. The system will augment the PCAPP facility until the entire stockpile is eliminated.

    The neutralization process and recovery of metal fragments, which involves adding chemicals, heating, cooling, turning the cylinder, opening the vessel and removing metal fragments, takes about six to eight hours. The word “explosive” in the name of the system is a bit of a misnomer, according to Laurence Gottschalk, director for the Recovered Chemical Materiel Directorate, Chemical Materials Activity.

    On March 18, after months of planning, construction, testing, and approvals, agent operations were initiated when the first DOT bottle was destroyed. The build-up to that first “shot” was highly anticipated and began with the secure transfer of DOT bottles from a depot storage igloo to the PCAPP EDS site. Approved by the DOT for shipping small amounts of hazardous materials, the bottles contain mustard agent taken from various past sampling efforts to survey the condition of the stockpile.

    Shortly before noon, one DOT bottle was loaded into the EDS, the door was sealed, and after numerous safety checks, the first detonation occurred. That afternoon, the agent was verified fully destroyed. “Wow, what a momentous day for Pueblo, the United States and the world,” said CAC chair Irene Kornelly later that day. “Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this day happen.”

    More PCAPP Techology Articles

    • Attention to Detail Prevents System Clogs

      Attention to Detail Prevents System Clogs

      Published: March 23, 2021
    • Innovative Solution Reduces Problematic Munitions

      Innovative Solution Reduces Problematic Munitions

      Published: March 4, 2021
    • Pueblo Plant Upgrades Closed-Circuit Camera System

      Pueblo Plant Upgrades Closed-Circuit Camera System

      Published: February 10, 2021
    • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Automation Specialist Wendell Savage teaches the Training Facility robot about the new Drained Munition Weight Station. Later, the lessons were applied to the plant’s Munitions Washout System.

      Pueblo Plant Worker Instrumental in Campaign Success

      Published: February 2, 2021
    • Static Detonation Chamber Units Begin Testing

      Static Detonation Chamber Units Begin Testing

      Published: December 22, 2020
    • Workers Reconfigure Equipment for Next Destruction Campaign

      Workers Reconfigure Equipment for Next Destruction Campaign

      Published: November 30, 2020
    • Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

      Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

      Published: November 20, 2020
    • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant laboratory employee leads community stakeholders on a tour of the facility on Oct. 14.

      Stakeholders Tour Plant, Evaluate Future Usability of Items

      Published: October 30, 2020
    • Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

      Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

      Published: October 7, 2020
    • Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

      Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

      Published: October 1, 2020
    PCAPP EDS

    Related Pages and Facts

    • Explosive Destruction System

      November 15, 2016

    Related News

    • Rejected Munitions Take Different Route to Destruction

      Rejected Munitions Take Different Route to Destruction

      October 3, 2016
    • Special Containers Protect Some Projectiles

      Special Containers Protect Some Projectiles

      August 10, 2016
    • First Explosive Destruction System Campaign Successfully Completed

      First Explosive Destruction System Campaign Successfully Completed

      February 19, 2016
    • Site Project Manager Recounts Year of Accomplishments

      Site Project Manager Recounts Year of Accomplishments

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    • System Restarts Chemical Agent Destruction Operations in Colorado

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    Related Videos

    • Colorado System Completes First Step in Munition Elimination

      Colorado System Completes First Step in Munition Elimination

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    • U.S. Army Destroys Reject Chemical Weapons Safely, Efficiently

      U.S. Army Destroys Reject Chemical Weapons Safely, Efficiently

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    • ACWA Snapshot: PCAPP Explosive Destruction System: The First Step in Eliminating Munitions

      ACWA Snapshot: PCAPP Explosive Destruction System: The First Step in Eliminating Munitions

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    • PCAPP Explosive Destruction System: The First Step in Eliminating Munitions

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    • Honoring Our Commitment: The Start of Chemical Stockpile Destruction in Colorado

      Honoring Our Commitment: The Start of Chemical Stockpile Destruction in Colorado

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