Technicians collected samples and data for a test of the Explosive Destruction Technology emissions system mid-January.

“The Emissions Demonstration Test will verify operating parameters for the destruction of mustard agent in the Static Detonation Chamber,” said Steve Brow, test coordinator, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “The samples collected will be used to verify destruction and removal efficiency, provide data for the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, known as KDEP, and for a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act risk assessment.”

Technicians monitored the process at several consoles and observed and recorded data as vacuum pumps pulled samples from the exhaust duct upstream of the process stack as mustard munitions were being processed. The testing uses methods established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure representative samples for the emission parameters are collected. A minimum of three separate runs will occur to generate the samples and data.

“We processed as much mustard agent as we could since this test will determine our feed limit,” Brow said. “This is a very important process.”

Testing was scheduled to occur during agent processing because agent could not be introduced to the facility prior to the start of operations, and it is part of the ramp-up plan, Brow said. After the test, the demonstrated processing rate will be reduced until the test report has been approved by KDEP. Facility emissions are always monitored before release.