
Highlights
Main Plant Update:
- Systemization of the facility is underway and 78.9 percent complete. Systemization encompasses the planning, technical work, training and testing activities required to ensure that once destruction operations begin, the plant runs safely and smoothly.
- Nerve-agent destruction operations are expected to start in fall 2019, using neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation.
- Recent accomplishments:
- Preparation for Metal Parts Treater surrogate testing
- Commissioning of the Supercritical Water Oxidation Reverse Osmosis system is in progress
- Performing Toxic Area entry training on all shifts
Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT)
Facility Update:
- Mustard-agent destruction operations are expected to start in June 2019, using the Static Detonation Chamber.
- Recent accomplishments:
- Facility lockdown began April 5
- Remaining surrogate test material to be processed to support Control Room operator training
- Crew emergency response and agent operations training is ongoing on all shifts
Upcoming Meetings
Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board
June 12, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. EDT
Eastern Kentucky University
Carl D. Perkins Building, Rooms A and B
4440 Kit Carson Dr.
Richmond, Kentucky
New to BGCAPP?
Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is a state-of-the-art facility that will safely destroy the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky. The main plant will use neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation to destroy the nerve agent stockpile, and a Static Detonation Chamber to destroy the mustard agent stockpile. The safety of the workforce, as well as of the neighboring communities, is the project’s most important priority.