PCAPP Monthly Recap – June 2020 | Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)

PCAPP Monthly Recap – June 2020

Published: July 9, 2020 | Category: Monthly Recap, PCAPP News

Highlights

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) resumed destruction of chemical weapons June 4 after pausing its elimination of mustard agent in parts of April and May. The B05 system and some of the piping from the Spent Decontamination System (SDS) tanks to the Agent Neutralization Reactors (ANR) showed evidence of previous pinhole leaks. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a temporary authorization for the use of chemical hoses to bypass the leaking pipes, in order to transfer solution from the SDS tanks to the ANRs for disposal. A third-party engineer reviewed the temporary configuration that was accepted by the state, allowing agent destruction in the Agent Processing Building to resume. A long-term, permanent piping repair/replacement strategy is being developed; that design will be sent to the state for approval and is anticipated to be implemented at the end of the 155mm projectile campaign this year.
Baseline reconfiguration of more than 97,000 4.2-inch mortar rounds from boxed storage to pallets ready for processing concluded June 23. They will be stored safely for destruction later in three Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) units, due to start augmenting the main plant later this year. These SDC units are now completely shielded by protective structures.
The Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC) held a virtual public meeting June 24. PCAPP and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment staff discussed PCAPP and ACWA milestones with CAC members. ORO staff have been working remotely but will continue to keep the public informed via the usual online platforms and are planning for reopening to the public, with appointments required, July 6.
As of June 26, 258,723 155mm projectiles have been processed in the main plant.

Upcoming Meetings

Colorado Commission, Permitting Working Group and Biotreatment Utilization Group Meeting
July 29, 2020, at 2 p.m. MDT
Google Meet

New to PCAPP?

PCAPP is a state-of-the-art facility built to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, Colorado. The main plant uses neutralization followed by biotreatment to destroy the mustard agent stockpile. The safety of the workforce and neighboring communities is the project’s most important priority.