After a systemization demonstration procedure, the Blue Grass systemization team turned over the Tray Handling System to operations Aug. 1.

“This was one of the smoothest testing and commissioning procedures I have ever observed,” said Ron Ahrens, system safety engineer, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “The operators were very well qualified and knew their system well. They did all of the preparation work before bringing in the observers for the turnover.”

The series of low-speed, electric roller conveyors comprising the Tray Handling System will convey projectile bodies, rocket parts and secondary waste to the Metal Parts Treaters for thermal cleansing, said Casey McKeehan, government shift representative, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. It has the capability to operate in reverse, rotate, buffer and transfer three different styles of trays up to 6,000 pounds each at a single-speed operation up to 40 feet per minute.

“The systemization team worked with the automation department to optimize the system and integrate it with the Facility Control System,” McKeehan said. “We all worked as a team to resolve any issues we encountered.”

Ahrens observed the demonstration procedure from his systems safety perspective, he said. He had previously provided a subsystem hazard analysis to the systemization team. Part of his turnover observation was to check for the implementation of items noted on the analysis.

The Tray Handling System successfully completed turnover to operations and several additional process systems will make a similar transition this year, McKeehan said.