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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: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Nerve Agent Testing Proposed for Static Detonation Chamber

Published: September 26, 2018 | Category: BGCAPP News
  • A community advisory group member asks a question at a public meeting Sept. 12 during a discussion about the possibility of using the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber to destroy problematic nerve-agent munitions after the mustard munitions are processed.

    A community advisory group member asks a question at a public meeting Sept. 12 during a discussion about the possibility of using the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber to destroy problematic nerve-agent munitions after the mustard munitions are processed.

  • An attendee looks into the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber during an Aug. 29 tour.

    An attendee looks into the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber during an Aug. 29 tour.

Experts at the Blue Grass project are considering using the Static Detonation Chamber facility that will destroy mustard-agent munitions to also complete destruction of problematic nerve-agent munitions.

“We have to recognize these are very serious chemicals and munitions that are overpacked and potentially leaking,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “We can process the overpacked containers directly into the chamber instead of physically handling and manipulating them.”

The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives intends to test the chamber, known as the SDC, for the possibility of nerve agent destruction after the mustard campaign.

Brubaker said during a public meeting in Richmond, Kentucky Sept. 12 he is confident the main plant will process the majority of the nerve agent stockpile, but he also made the community aware of the program’s requirement for a back-up plan.

“We would like to emphasize that SDC nerve agent processing is a contingency plan to ensure worker and community safety, which remains our number one priority,” said Craig Williams, co-chair, Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board. “We don’t want to shut the plant down in the middle of destruction or send people in to deal with problems.”

The SDC agent test will occur on site using a surrogate material, monochlorobenzine, Brubaker said. Testing will gather data for the possibility of processing overpacked munitions and rejected nerve agent projectiles as well as M55 rocket warheads in overpacks. Additionally, the SDC could process approximately 280 8-inch nerve agent projectiles known to contain stabilizers that have caused the agent to gel, which could present significant processing challenges with the neutralization process in the main facility.

The testing will provide data needed by the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection to approve the use of the SDC for the destruction of nerve agent.

BGCAPP Technology Articles

  • Workers lower a 30,000-pound buffer tank into the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 1200 building through an opening in the roof. This tank will buffer exhaust gases from the destruction process of the drained nerve-agent rocket warheads before the gases are processed in the off-gas treatment system.

    New Tank Safely Lowered Through Roof

    Published: March 30, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Demilitarization Protective Ensemble entrants decontaminate equipment in the Munitions Washout System room at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Since all projectiles have been destroyed, much of this equipment is no longer needed for chemical weapons destruction.

    Decontamination Efforts Begin on Projectile Equipment

    Published: February 8, 2022
  • An operator cuts up the buffer tank from the mustard-processing off-gas treatment system at the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 1200 site Jan. 11. The tank pieces are being disposed of as scrap and a new buffer tank will be installed for the upcoming drained VX rocket warhead destruction campaign.

    Equipment Removed for Site Upgrade

    Published: February 1, 2022
  • Workers guide a stand-by diesel generator as it is lifted by a crane in preparation for placement on its foundation at the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber 2000 site Jan. 11. During operations, this generator will provide back-up power in the event of a total power outage.

    From Tents to Today, a Year at the New Site

    Published: January 27, 2022
  • A team of Blue Grass plant operators demonstrate the process for loading a tanker during a visit of local and state officials on Sept. 21.

    State, Local Officials Observe Tanker Loading in Preparation for Hydrolysate Shipment

    Published: October 5, 2021
  • A scientist holds a slice of the propellant portion of a rocket motor, a shaped chemical compound known as the propellant. After being separated from the rocket warheads during the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant destruction process, the motors are crated and stored pending their shipment for disposal as a secondary waste.

    Rocket Motors Stored to Await Destruction

    Published: September 30, 2021
  • A training specialist explains the automated rocket processing equipment installed at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell during his visit to the facility Aug. 18.

    Senator McConnell Visits Training Facility

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • Members of two community advisory groups watch as a robot moves a containerized punched and drained VX test rocket warhead during a tour at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Community Advisory Group Members Tour Training Facility

    Published: August 17, 2021
  • A robot moves a non-contaminated rocket motor separated from its warhead to place it into a shipping crate in the Motor Packing Room at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The motors, in their shipping and firing tubes, will be packaged and transported to Anniston, Alabama, for disposal in a Static Detonation Chamber unit.

    Rocket Motors Extensively Studied Before Shipment

    Published: July 29, 2021
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Related BGCAPP News

  • System Starts Processing 8-inch Test Projectiles

    System Starts Processing 8-inch Test Projectiles

    May 25, 2018
  • Team Works to Ensure Critical Balance

    Team Works to Ensure Critical Balance

    May 18, 2018
  • Technicians Start Air Filtration System for First Time

    Technicians Start Air Filtration System for First Time

    May 16, 2018
  • Water Systems Turned Over to Operations

    Water Systems Turned Over to Operations

    April 27, 2018
  • Experts: 21 Systems Turned Over to Operations

    Experts: 21 Systems Turned Over to Operations

    March 29, 2018
  • Major Neutralization System Passes Demonstration

    Major Neutralization System Passes Demonstration

    March 21, 2018
  • Key Blue Grass Systems Tested

    Key Blue Grass Systems Tested

    February 28, 2018

Related BGCAPP Info

  • Facts: Blue Grass ACWA Test Equipment

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