Multiple teams working together successfully completed the system demonstration of the Agent Monitoring System in January.

“This was a huge collaborative effort between the start-up teams, air monitoring department, automation and resident engineering,” said Michael Kester, start-up supervisor, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “It’s a very involved system. We tested multiple scenarios prior to the demonstration to ensure the equipment responded as designed.”

This system includes near real-time air monitors, known as MINICAMS; the control system; warning sirens and beacons; and laboratory equipment. Its primary function is to provide early warning of an unlikely chemical agent release, which could be harmful to human health and the environment.

“Observation of this demonstration was valuable to assess the performance of the agent monitoring instrumentation necessary to support destruction operations,” said Felicia Nelms, government shift representative, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “The successful completion is beneficial to ensure the plant’s mission is performed with highest regard for the safety of the workforce, community and environment.”

The demonstration also provided an opportunity for government representatives and partner organizations to ensure requirements are being met.

“Because the Agent Monitoring System is so important for safety, it’s important it works correctly 100 percent of the time,” Kester said