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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: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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Pueblo Plant Enters Pilot Testing Phase

Published: September 8, 2016 | Category: PCAPP News, Technology
The plant’s filtration system will eliminate the possibility of a release of mustard agent vapors. Only after exhaust air has filtered through nine banks, can it be released to the atmosphere through an exhaust stack. Emissions data will be collected during pilot testing, and throughout operations, to ensure it does not exceed regulatory limits.

The plant’s filtration system will eliminate the possibility of a release of mustard agent vapors. Only after exhaust air has filtered through nine banks, can it be released to the atmosphere through an exhaust stack. Emissions data will be collected during pilot testing, and throughout operations, to ensure it does not exceed regulatory limits.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) has entered pilot testing, the phase preceding full-scale operations.

“Pilot testing is when agent-filled munitions are introduced into the plant under increasing process rates and demonstrates that personnel, facilities and equipment can process munitions safely, compliantly and as designed,” said John Jackson, plant support technical specialist.

It’s a period of data gathering that will allow the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to grant PCAPP its Part B permit, which is needed to operate the plant, Jackson said.

“The testing allows us to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment processes, as well as the emission control system,” said Kevin Mackey, permitting unit lead, Hazardous Waste Permitting Unit, CDPHE. “The gradual ramp up will let us see how emission control devices and treatment systems perform as we incrementally increase the number of munitions processed.”

Pilot testing is required by PCAPP’s Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit. The RD&D permit allows for testing that is designed to maximize operational flexibility by assessing site emissions over a wide range of operating conditions. Emissions data will be collected during pilot testing to demonstrate that cumulative site emissions from site stacks do not exceed the Multi-Pathway Health Risk Assessment limits, Jackson said.

“We will monitor emissions during pilot testing and throughout operations,” Mackey said.

During the pilot test phase, approximately 25 percent of the 155mm stockpile will be destroyed. Upon completion of the 16-week phase, the project will transition into full-scale operations, said Jackson.

In addition to environmental permitting aspects, the pilot phase of operations includes ramp-up, testing, demonstration, and an integrated facility demonstration to confirm operations meet system performance criteria.

“A tremendous amount of work has been done to get us to the pilot test phase,” Jackson said.

Related Posts

  • Agent-filled 4.2-inch mortar rounds are monitored during Static Detonation Chamber agent trial testing operations at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    Published: May 13, 2022
  • After a chemical weapon is drained of agent and rinsed with high-pressure hot water, Agent Washwater Separator tanks collect fluid before sending it to Agent Neutralization Reactors to destroy the mustard agent. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant has two tanks, providing the plant with redundancy when neutralizing agent.

    Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    Published: March 28, 2022
  • All chemical weapons from the Colorado stockpile are sorted into four color-coded lots to reduce delays in destruction due to problematic munitions.

    Color Coding Boosts Chemical Weapon Destruction

    Published: March 23, 2022
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant ordnance technician holds the first 4.2-inch mortar round to be processed in the Static Detonation Chamber complex.

    First Agent Destroyed in Static Detonation Chamber

    Published: February 22, 2022
  • Static Detonation Chamber ordnance technicians Rachelle S. and Mike W. remove a 57mm conventional ammunition round from its fiber tube during SDC non-agent Trial Burn Testing.

    Conventional Explosives Demonstrate Static Detonation Chamber Capability

    Published: February 15, 2022
PCAPP Pilot Testing

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