BGCAPP Monthly Recap - October 2020 - Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)

BGCAPP Monthly Recap – October 2020

Published: November 2, 2020 | Category: BGCAPP News, Monthly Recap

Highlights

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Progress continues at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) and includes workforce measures taken in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the potential spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives’ message on the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here: https://www.peoacwa.army.mil/message-on-covid-19/

Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) Facility Update:

The EDT facility is using a Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) to destroy the mustard agent munitions.
The first mustard-agent projectile was destroyed in the EDT June 7, 2019.
This Month:
- As of Oct. 26, more than 58% of the mustard munitions have been destroyed.
- Continuation of processing mustard munitions.

Main Plant Update:

The main plant is using neutralization to destroy nerve agent munitions. The decision was made to not use the supercritical water oxidation system to process hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization process. This secondary waste will be shipped to a licensed and permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility.
The last GB agent-filled 8-inch projectile was processed May 11. Personnel are now preparing for the next munitions destruction campaign.
This Month:
- Continuation of training on Rocket Warhead Containerization System equipment at the new training center.
- Installation of rocket-processing equipment within the plant.
- Start of pre-Operational Readiness Review evaluations.
- Smoke testing of cascading ventilation system.

SDC 2000 Update:

BGCAPP will use an additional SDC to destroy a portion of the nerve agent munitions, including full rocket overpacks and rocket components.
This Month:
- Continuation of site preparation and utility work.
- Placement of earth on Earth-Covered Magazine.
- Continuation of Personnel Support Facility work, with internal finishes, telecommunications and ventilation system testing and external sidewalk placement.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting will be held:

Dec. 9, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. ET
The format of the meeting is still being determined. For information on the meeting, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626-8944 or bgoutreach@iem.com.

New to BGCAPP?

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is a state-of-the-art facility safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky. An Explosive Destruction Technology is destroying the mustard agent stockpile. The main plant is using neutralization to destroy the nerve agent stockpile. The decision was made to not use the supercritical water oxidation system to process hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization process. This secondary waste will be shipped to a licensed and permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. The safety of the workforce, as well as of the neighboring communities, is the project’s most important priority.