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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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First-Time Filter Change Activity

Published: December 29, 2020 | Category: BGCAPP News, Environment
First-Time Filter Change Activity

A technician helps an entrant with his protective suit as he gears up to perform a filter changeout activity at the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology facility Dec. 9. A standard and planned-for operation, the filters were changed out after monitoring showed low-level mustard-agent breakthrough between the first and second filter banks in the main air filtration system.

Technicians changed the filters in the IONEX 16K charcoal filter unit for the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology facility for the first time mid-December.

“The indicator leading to replacement was that we were experiencing low-level agent vapor readings between the first and second charcoal banks,” said Chad Hieronimus, shift plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “This was not unexpected, and we had planned and prepared for the activity.”

The team practiced multiple times before performing this first-time activity, performing mock entries, waste-bagging activities and more. Not only a first for the EDT 16K filter unit, it was likely a first in the demilitarization field to be performed in full Demilitarization Protective Ensembles as well, instead of lower levels of personal protective equipment, Hieronimus said. With the potential for the presence of chemical agent vapor, this was done for the full protection of the workers.

“The crew changed out 16 pre-filters, 16 high efficiency particulate air filters and 48 carbon trays in full protective gear with supplied air. They changed 48 more in Level C (a lower level of protective equipment) due to monitoring data collected during the change out that showed it was safe for the workers,” Hieronimus said. “A lot went into this to make it happen, and everyone performed as trained for a safe and efficient changeout. The safe execution of this task would not have been possible without the pooled efforts of personnel from multiple plant divisions.”

The bagged and containerized filters will be shipped off-site for disposal at a licensed and permitted hazardous waste disposal facility. The team will perform this changeout activity again at the end of the mustard campaign.

During the activity, the agent remained under engineering controls and the equipment worked as designed to keep the workforce, community and environment safe.

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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Recent 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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Safety Videos

  • Blue Grass Plant Medical Staff Stays Prepared

    Blue Grass Plant Medical Staff Stays Prepared

    June 5, 2017
  • Testing Rolls On Inside Kentucky’s Chemical Weapons Destruction

    Testing Rolls On Inside Kentucky’s Chemical Weapons Destruction

    September 23, 2016
  • On-site Medical Facility Prepares to Support Blue Grass Plant

    On-site Medical Facility Prepares to Support Blue Grass Plant

    June 27, 2016
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    Emergency Operations Center Supports Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction Project

    April 19, 2016
  • High Angle Training to the Rescue at the Blue Grass Plant

    High Angle Training to the Rescue at the Blue Grass Plant

    January 8, 2016

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