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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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      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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Bioreactors Seeded with Biomass

Published: October 22, 2018 | Category: PCAPP News, Technology
Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant technicians work together to secure the hose from the biomass delivery truck. Biomass is an essential ingredient in the hydrolysate biodegration process.

Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant technicians work together to secure the hose from the biomass delivery truck. Biomass is an essential ingredient in the hydrolysate biodegration process.

Immobilized Cell Bioreactors are again treating hydrolysate, the product of the mustard agent neutralization process, after seeding with biomass from the local water reclamation facility.

“The microbes are performing predictably and reliably,” said Jim Earley, chief scientist, Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

On Oct. 4, biomass, or bacteria, was pumped into Modules #1 and #2 to biodegrade hydrolysate. Earley said after the microbes have consumed 85 percent of the thiodiglycol, the key ingredient in the hydrolysate, the second batch feed will be performed.

Once the second batch feed takes place, the goal is to start a continuous feed at 25 percent of design loading and ramp up to 75 percent, which was previously shown to be sustainable. The ramp up will take about 20 days, Earley said.

“The goal is to achieve 95 percent thiodiglycol removal,” said Earley.

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
PCAPP Biotreatment

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

    Toxic Material Handlers Keep Up with Demand

    April 6, 2021
  • Colorado Congress Members Tour Pueblo Plant

    Colorado Congress Members Tour Pueblo Plant

    February 12, 2021
  • Pueblo Plant Worker Instrumental in Campaign Success

    Pueblo Plant Worker Instrumental in Campaign Success

    February 2, 2021
  • Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    January 20, 2021
  • Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    December 17, 2020

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