April 2022 Recap: Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

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

Published: May 2, 2022 | Category: BGCAPP News, Monthly Recap

*Employment and payroll figures as of 31 December 2020; Quantity Destroyed as of 22 January 2021.

Highlights

Main Plant Update:

The main plant is using neutralization to destroy nerve-agent munitions. Secondary waste from the process, known as hydrolysate, is being shipped to a licensed and permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility.
GB 8-inch projectile destruction began in January 2020 and was completed in May 2020.
VX 155mm projectile destruction began in January 2021 and was completed in May 2021.
The first M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent were destroyed at the Blue Grass plant July 9, 2021.
During operations, hydrolysate and non-agent-contaminated rocket motors, both considered secondary waste, are being shipped to permitted waste disposal facilities for final destruction.
This Month:
- On April 19, the last rocket containing VX nerve agent was destroyed.
- Start of change-over period to prepare for GB nerve agent M55 rocket processing.
- Continuing decommissioning activities for the Munitions Washout System.

Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 Update:

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) will use an additional SDC to destroy a portion of the nerve-agent munitions, including full rocket overpacks and secondary waste products from destruction of the nerve-agent rockets, drained GB rocket warheads.
This Month:
- Installing automated loading station equipment.
- Placement of canopy steel for Entry Control Facility.
- Installing piping and components of the off-gas treatment system.

SDC 1200 Update:

Now that destruction of the mustard-agent munitions is complete, BGCAPP is converting the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) into the SDC 1200 to destroy secondary waste products from destruction of the nerve-agent rockets, drained VX rocket warheads.
This Month:
- Restoration of EDT Enclosure Building ceiling and systems after buffer tank installation.
- Refurbishment of Loading Gate 2.
- Verification of new feed box with pusher.

EDT Facility

The EDT facility at BGCAPP used an SDC to destroy the mustard-agent munitions.
Mustard-agent 155mm projectile destruction began in June 2019 and was completed in September 2021.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting will be held:
June 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. ET
Carl D. Perkins Building, Rooms A and B
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky

For information about 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. 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 is shipped to a licensed and permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. A Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) destroyed the mustard agent stockpile. This SDC, along with a larger SDC 2000, will augment the main plant by destroying drained rocket warheads and overpacked rockets. The safety of the workforce and the environment, as well as of the neighboring communities, is the project’s most important priority.