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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: Destroy Chemical Weapons Stockpile

      Vision: Chemical Weapons Free by 2023

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Modifications Make Washout System More Efficient

Published: July 9, 2018 | Category: PCAPP News, Technology
A robotic arm places an inert munition into a Cavity Access Machine during training exercises at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The machines, which are a part of the Munitions Washout System, wash out chemical agent from munition bodies with high-pressure hot water.

A robotic arm places an inert munition into a Cavity Access Machine during training exercises at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The machines, which are a part of the Munitions Washout System, wash out chemical agent from munition bodies with high-pressure hot water.

Downtime at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant allowed staff to review issues experienced with the Munitions Washout System and make changes for greater efficiency.

“In the first year of operations, we spent a lot of time maintaining the washout system,” said Ryan Williams, deputy site project manager, PCAPP. “While agent destruction operations were paused, we were able to make changes to improve equipment availability.”

The high-pressure wash water system was rebuilt and hydraulic ram nozzles were replaced with hardened spray nozzles.

“We made a lot of entries to replace nozzles or the entire ram. The hardened nozzles are more erosion resistant,” Williams said.

Techniques for replacing and repairing the valves that control the flow of high pressure wash water to the Cavity Access Machines were evaluated and a work plan implemented. Previously, the valves were rebuilt in the high-pressure wash water room, as needed. The new process calls for the valves to be rebuilt in the maintenance shop, tested and stored for reuse, Williams said.

A crossover conveyor, which will allow munitions to be fed from the washout system to either Munition Treatment Unit, the equipment that decontaminates munition bodies with heat, is also being designed, Williams said.

Redesigned splash guards, designed last year to contain liquid from over-pressurized rounds, were installed the week of June 25.

MWS operations resumed June 13, after being paused since late 2017 to deal with equipment issues and refine processes.

PCAPP Technology Articles

  • Attention to Detail Prevents System Clogs

    Attention to Detail Prevents System Clogs

    Published: March 23, 2021
  • Innovative Solution Reduces Problematic Munitions

    Innovative Solution Reduces Problematic Munitions

    Published: March 4, 2021
  • Pueblo Plant Upgrades Closed-Circuit Camera System

    Pueblo Plant Upgrades Closed-Circuit Camera System

    Published: February 10, 2021
  • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Automation Specialist Wendell Savage teaches the Training Facility robot about the new Drained Munition Weight Station. Later, the lessons were applied to the plant’s Munitions Washout System.

    Pueblo Plant Worker Instrumental in Campaign Success

    Published: February 2, 2021
  • Static Detonation Chamber Units Begin Testing

    Static Detonation Chamber Units Begin Testing

    Published: December 22, 2020
  • Workers Reconfigure Equipment for Next Destruction Campaign

    Workers Reconfigure Equipment for Next Destruction Campaign

    Published: November 30, 2020
  • Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Published: November 20, 2020
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant laboratory employee leads community stakeholders on a tour of the facility on Oct. 14.

    Stakeholders Tour Plant, Evaluate Future Usability of Items

    Published: October 30, 2020
  • Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Published: October 7, 2020
  • Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

    Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

    Published: October 1, 2020
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Recent PCAPP Articles

  • Colorado Governor Appoints New Advisory Commission Member

    Colorado Governor Appoints New Advisory Commission Member

    April 8, 2021
  • Toxic Material Handlers Keep Up with Demand

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    April 6, 2021
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    December 17, 2020

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