The Anniston Field Office (AFO) is successfully supporting Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) operations by destroying non-contaminated energetic components.

“We are using a Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) to deflagrate or detonate non-contaminated explosives from PCAPP,” said Tim Garrett, site project manager, AFO.

The SDC operates around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and heats the explosive up to its auto ignition temperature, burning (deflagrating) the component so it no longer has the characteristics of an explosive. Although this explosive destruction technology is designed to handle detonation, Garrett said very few energetics detonate during the destruction process.

“All explosives and explosive residue is destroyed,” Garrett said. “The process deforms the metal.”

A total of 35,036 M6 bursters from 155mm projectiles and 11,512 primer cartridges (M67 propellants from 105mm projectiles) have been destroyed, as of Aug.16, said Leslie Ware, deputy project manager, AFO.

The energetics are transported in special performance packaging, in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Since November 2016, the Anniston facility has received 21 shipments of energetics, consisting of 16 shipments of M67 propellants and five shipments of M6 bursters from the Pueblo plant, Ware said.

Shipments will continue throughout the lifecycle of the PCAPP project.