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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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Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Receives Safety Approval

Published: April 13, 2017 | Category: BGCAPP News, Technology
The Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber in lay-up mode. This equipment will destroy the mustard munitions in the Blue Grass stockpile after main plant nerve-agent processing is complete.

The Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber in lay-up mode. This equipment will destroy the mustard munitions in the Blue Grass stockpile after main plant nerve-agent processing is complete.

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) facility received system and site safety plan approvals in April.

“These approvals were some of the main things that needed to be finalized while the EDT is in lay-up, so we can be prepared for operations,” said Steve Bragg, deputy plant manager for EDT, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “First, the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board reviewed our system design, processes and safety plans, worked with us to make some changes, and then gave us their approval.”

The effort took approximately two years of work by engineering, operations, systems safety and other personnel, Bragg said. The secondary step, approval of the Site Plan Safety Submission, was accomplished in April. Together, these approvals mark the complete safety package for the EDT system.

“With the rigor of these approvals, these evaluations give us confidence that the right level of oversight has been given and we will have a high level of safety,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, BGCAPP. “The safety of our workers, the community and the environment is paramount, and these approvals are another example of our strong focus in that area.”

Brubaker said he expects EDT operations to destroy the Blue Grass mustard munitions stockpile will commence after the main plant completes nerve agent destruction.

More BGCAPP Technology Articles

  • Workers lower a 30,000-pound buffer tank into the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 1200 building through an opening in the roof. This tank will buffer exhaust gases from the destruction process of the drained nerve-agent rocket warheads before the gases are processed in the off-gas treatment system.

    New Tank Safely Lowered Through Roof

    Published: March 30, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Demilitarization Protective Ensemble entrants decontaminate equipment in the Munitions Washout System room at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Since all projectiles have been destroyed, much of this equipment is no longer needed for chemical weapons destruction.

    Decontamination Efforts Begin on Projectile Equipment

    Published: February 8, 2022
  • An operator cuts up the buffer tank from the mustard-processing off-gas treatment system at the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 1200 site Jan. 11. The tank pieces are being disposed of as scrap and a new buffer tank will be installed for the upcoming drained VX rocket warhead destruction campaign.

    Equipment Removed for Site Upgrade

    Published: February 1, 2022
  • Workers guide a stand-by diesel generator as it is lifted by a crane in preparation for placement on its foundation at the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 2000 site Jan. 11. During operations, this generator will provide back-up power in the event of a total power outage.

    From Tents to Today, a Year at the New Site

    Published: January 27, 2022
  • A team of Blue Grass plant operators demonstrate the process for loading a tanker during a visit of local and state officials on Sept. 21.

    State, Local Officials Observe Tanker Loading in Preparation for Hydrolysate Shipment

    Published: October 5, 2021
  • A scientist holds a slice of the propellant portion of a rocket motor, a shaped chemical compound known as the propellant. After being separated from the rocket warheads during the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant destruction process, the motors are crated and stored pending their shipment for disposal as a secondary waste.

    Rocket Motors Stored to Await Destruction

    Published: September 30, 2021
  • A training specialist explains the automated rocket processing equipment installed at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell during his visit to the facility Aug. 18.

    Senator McConnell Visits Training Facility

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • Members of two community advisory groups watch as a robot moves a containerized punched and drained VX test rocket warhead during a tour at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Community Advisory Group Members Tour Training Facility

    Published: August 17, 2021
  • A robot moves a non-contaminated rocket motor separated from its warhead to place it into a shipping crate in the Motor Packing Room at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The motors, in their shipping and firing tubes, will be packaged and transported to Anniston, Alabama, for disposal in a Static Detonation Chamber unit.

    Rocket Motors Extensively Studied Before Shipment

    Published: July 29, 2021
BGCAPP Explosive Destruction Technology

Related BGCAPP News

  • Blue Grass Mustard Munitions Destruction Schedule Accelerated

    Blue Grass Mustard Munitions Destruction Schedule Accelerated

    March 26, 2018
  • Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Postponed

    Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Postponed

    December 21, 2016
  • Test Munitions Delivered for Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Training

    Test Munitions Delivered for Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Training

    September 27, 2016
  • Blue Grass Completes Explosive Destruction Technology Service Magazine

    Blue Grass Completes Explosive Destruction Technology Service Magazine

    August 9, 2016
  • First Modules Arrive for Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Support Facility

    First Modules Arrive for Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology Support Facility

    April 19, 2016

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