Two truckloads of salt cake left the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant June 9, signifying the first full cycle of the chemical agent destruction process.

“The first shipment of salt cake signifies total plant operations, from birth to death of the hazardous waste at this facility, are online,” said Paul Warbington, environmental manager, PCAPP. “Salt cake production is the last step in treating the hazardous waste.”

As part of pilot testing, equipment in the Enhanced Reconfiguration Building demonstrated its ability to successfully remove energetics. Machinery in the Agent Processing Building drained, rinsed and treated munition bodies, and neutralized the mustard agent. Recently, Immobilized Cell Bioreactors effectively treated hydrolysate, the product of the chemical neutralization process. The last step in pilot testing demonstrations was to show a fully functional biotreatment system. The production of salt cake by the Brine Reduction System was that evidence, said Steve Bunn, Jr., waste management superintendent, PCAPP.

“Shipping the first salt cake off site represents successful agent destruction,” Bunn said.

Daily shipments of two roll off bins, each containing 20,000 to 25,000 pounds of salt cake, is anticipated during operations. Each shipment must meet land disposal criteria and will be taken to a permitted Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility.