The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant became a fully functioning plant, with all systems operating, Oct. 25.
“Be very proud of the work you have done to bring us to this point,” said Bechtel Pueblo Team project manager Bret Griebenow in a message to the workforce. “This milestone is representative of all the hard work you have done as a team by overcoming challenges, working together and coming up with innovative solutions.”
In his message, Griebenow mentioned the plant outage earlier in the year but focused on the plant’s major systems all working. The Projectile Mortar Disassembly system is removing energetic components from projectiles. The Munitions Washout System is flushing agent from munitions. Immobilized Cell Bioreactors are breaking down hydrolysate and the Brine Reduction System is recovering water.
Although still in the pilot testing phase, the plant is positioned for an Integrated Facility Demonstration, scheduled for mid-November. The demonstration will show the state health department the plant is operating as designed, and will bring it one step closer to full certification.
“A big thank you to everyone for your support of the PCAPP project,” said Griebenow. “It’s paying off and it’s a great feeling to know we have a fully operating plant due to all the efforts of one great team.”