PCAPP Monthly Recap – December 2021 - Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)

PCAPP Monthly Recap – December 2021

Published: January 7, 2022 | Category: Monthly Recap, PCAPP News

Highlights

Trial burn testing at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) Static Detonation Chamber complex is near completion. The testing, required to demonstrate that the SDC units operate as designed, consists of two phases. The first phase follows a detailed 14-week timeline. Testing activities included the deflagration of empty, inert projectiles, containers filled with surrogate non-agent chemicals and conventional munitions.
Following the conclusion of the first phase of trial burn testing, a report on test results will be sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for review. Upon satisfactory approval of the report, the second phase of trial burn testing can begin. This phase will evaluate the system’s ability to destroy agent-filled munitions. Phase two trial burn testing is projected to begin in February.
The testing of non-agent chemicals in SDC Unit No. 2 concluded in December. To observe the system’s ability to destroy chemicals, it processed inert projectiles containing ethylene glycol, which is undiluted antifreeze, and monochlorobenzene, an agent surrogate.
Trial burn testing of 57mm conventional ammunition began in December. Conventional ammunition destruction tests demonstrate the SDC units can process projectiles containing fuzes, energetics and propellant charges.
Students at Connect Charter School in Pueblo learned about plant operations Dec. 15 when Michael Strong, director of compliance, PCAPP, spoke to seventh- and eighth-grade students about the history of chemical weapons destruction in the United States and the PCAPP commitment to destroying mustard agent munitions through neutralization followed by biotreatment.

Upcoming Meetings

PCAPP Class 2 Permit Modification Request B044 – Agent Water Separators Public Meeting
Jan. 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. MST

U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) Public Meeting regarding Closure
Jan. 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. MST

PCAPP Class 2 Permit Modification Request S007 – Condensate Line and Bleed Water Tank Vent Modifications Public Meeting
Jan. 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. MST

Permitting Working Group and Biotreatment Utilization Group Meetings
Jan. 26, 2022, at approximately 2 p.m. MST

Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission
Jan. 26, 2022, at approximately 2 p.m. MST

Zoom meeting information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85125795932
Call-in:
Phone: 1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 851 2579 5932

New to PCAPP?

PCAPP is a state-of-the-art facility built to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile stored at PCD. 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.