The system that will destroy the Blue Grass mustard munitions has expanded its schedule to shiftwork as it ramps up to operations.

“We will soon be starting some of the Static Detonation Chamber and off-gas treatment systems,” said Chuck Stacy, shift plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Once those systems are functioning, staff will be needed to support their operation on an around-the-clock basis.”

The staff will work a standard Dupont schedule, Stacy said, with the night shift performing rounds and readings of instrumentation, among other duties. Training on loading, unloading and transfer of dummy munitions between the on-site Storage Magazine and the main processing building will occur on all shifts. When plant systems are running, team members will begin standard operating procedure validations and System Demonstration Procedure dry runs.

“This change is important so we can get people accustomed to the schedule, plus we have to verify systems are operating as designed for sustained periods,” Stacy said. “We’re also ensuring everything works properly through the Facility Control System.”

The next step for the Static Detonation Chamber will be its System Demonstration Procedure, to test it as a complete system and prove operation. Later, staff will test the facility with a surrogate material before munitions are introduced, according to plans developed by the systems contractor.