Pueblo Plant Experiences Increased Throughput

New Munitions Treatment Unit bin doors are among recent plant improvements thought to have contributed to increased throughput. The new doors have two-part swing hinges and are manually operated while the old doors were single panel, vertical lift that operated with powered drive and guide rails.
New Munitions Treatment Unit bin doors are among recent plant improvements thought to have contributed to increased throughput. The new doors have two-part swing hinges and are manually operated while the old doors were single panel, vertical lift that operated with powered drive and guide rails.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant experienced two of its best processing days since the plant restarted on June 13.

“We’ve done some amazing things just in the last six months to get the throughput we want,” said Bret Griebenow, Bechtel Pueblo Team project manager.

On Sept. 28, the Projectile Mortar Disassembly System, which robotically dismantles the projectiles, processed 648 munitions. On Oct. 3, the Munitions Washout System and Munitions Treatment Unit treated 690 munitions, said Kim Jackson, plant manager, PCAPP.

“Throughput is consistent and ahead of our goals,” said Jackson

She said the performance of the washout system, which uses Cavity Access Machines to collapse the burster well and drain the mustard agent from projectiles, and the treatment unit, which uses heat to decontaminate projectiles of residual agent, has dramatically increased since improvements were made to the equipment.

“Collective teamwork between the plant and support groups has turned around PCAPP performance,” Jackson said. “We are so proud of this team.”

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