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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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Workers Complete Filter Change

Published: August 20, 2020 | Category: BGCAPP News, Environment, Safety
Blue Grass plant munitions handlers unpack filters in anticipation of the Explosive Destruction Technology Service Magazine filter changeout at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

Blue Grass plant munitions handlers unpack filters in anticipation of the Explosive Destruction Technology Service Magazine filter changeout at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Munitions handlers and a mechanic exchanged air filters for the building that temporarily stores the mustard munitions awaiting destruction in the Static Detonation Chamber Aug. 3.

“We changed out six 100-pound carbon filters, one High Efficiency Particulate Air filter and a pre-filter,” said Dave Webb, Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass (BPBG). “It was a first-time evolution that was made more complicated by the potential for chemical agent contamination on the filter elements.”

Activity personnel worked with multiple plant divisions including Environmental Compliance, Engineering, Safety and Waste Management to put a detailed plan together to perform the filter replacement, Webb said. All steps were evaluated and discussed in advance of the work.

Workers encapsulated the area and donned proper protective gear for the activity, said Chad Hieronimus, EDT shift plant manager, BPBG. Attention was focused on the physical hazards of lifting and moving the heavy filters in a tight space as well as any potential agent hazard.

“We repeatedly discussed the safety topics at our pre-work meetings,” Hieronimus said. “The team knew what to expect and we had people standing by in case they needed assistance. The change-out went smoothly and no agent readings were found during monitoring.”

Testing was completed and the filtration system was returned to service the same day.

The filter changeout was procedurally required due to the discovery through routine monitoring of a projectile leaking agent vapor June 9. The projectile and a contaminated one next to it were isolated and overpacked June 19. These activities are something for which crews have prepared and practiced, and the overpacked projectiles were destroyed in the Static Detonation Chamber July 28.

More BGCAPP Environment Articles

  • Workers remove used carbon filters from the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology air filtration system for disposal as hazardous waste.

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Published: April 19, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Workers drill holes for structural steel placement on the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 Off-gas Treatment System Building foundation at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. A public comment period is open through March 16 for a permit modification request for this system.

    Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    Published: February 23, 2022
  • A worker guides a crane after its placement of the thermal oxidizer for the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 unit at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC 1200 requires a completely new off-gas treatment system in order to process drained, containerized VX nerve-agent warheads.

    New Pollution Abatement System Under Construction

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • A forklift operator is guided by spotters as he loads a crate of non-contaminated rocket motors onto a truck at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 20. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has opened a public comment period for plant modification requests that include additional storage space for the motors.

    Public Comment Period Open for Hydrolysate Shipment, Rocket Motor Storage

    Published: July 29, 2021
  • A truck and tank trailer sit in the tanker loading station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Project Managers to Discuss Hydrolysate Shipment at June 9 Public Meeting

    Published: June 3, 2021
  • A deer browses in an experimental plot of American chestnut trees on the Blue Grass Army Depot near the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The depot is a partner in a conservation project to propagate blight-resistant versions of the American chestnut tree.

    Blue Grass Partner Assists with Conservation Effort

    Published: April 30, 2021
  • Technicians program a Rocket Warhead Containerization System robot inside the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in February. This equipment is the subject of one of four Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection permit modification requests currently in a public comment period.

    Public Involvement Opportunities for Permit Modification Requests

    Published: April 5, 2021
  • Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Published: January 28, 2021
  • First-Time Filter Change Activity

    First-Time Filter Change Activity

    Published: December 29, 2020
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Related News

  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – April 2022

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    May 2, 2022
  • Entire U.S. Stockpile of VX Nerve Agent Eliminated

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  • Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

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    April 19, 2022
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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)