Blue Grass monitoring and systemization personnel are checking filter-bank monitoring equipment to ensure chemical-agent vapors would be detected and prevented from being released into the atmosphere when the plant is in operations.

“We have to verify that the equipment works and the proper signals are being received by the control system,” said Jamie Hess, government shift representative, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “This is especially important on this system, as it is the last line of monitoring before the air leaves the Clean-Air Exhaust Stacks.”

Sensitive instruments, known as Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems, are placed at several points along the Munitions Demilitarization Building filter banks to monitor air passing through the carbon filters after leaving the chemical-agent processing facility, Hess said. Personnel check and test connections between the instruments and the control system using a testing device to simulate output.

“We’re proving the system is ready to operate,” said Ryan Russell, Laboratory monitoring manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “For example, we have to make sure when a local alarm goes off, that the signal carries over to the control system and goes to the right place. A lot of personnel come together for this because it’s very important for the safety of our personnel and the community.”

The full function test scheduled for 2018 will be the event that certifies the instruments for agent operations, Russell said.