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

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

Published: October 27, 2022 | Category: BGCAPP News, Monthly Recap

Highlights

Main Plant Update:

The main plant is using neutralization to destroy nerve-agent munitions. During operations, hydrolysate and non-agent-contaminated rocket motors, both considered secondary waste, are being shipped to permitted waste disposal facilities for final destruction.
GB nerve agent 8-inch projectile destruction began in January 2020 and was completed in May 2020.
VX nerve agent 155mm projectile destruction began in January 2021 and was completed in May 2021.
VX nerve agent M55 rocket destruction began in July 2021 and was completed in April 2022.
The first M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent was destroyed July 6, 2022.
This Month:
- As of Oct. 21, 14.9% of the GB rockets have been destroyed
- Preparation for November chemical-agent demonstration test to determine efficiency of agent destruction
- Continuing tuning of destruction equipment

Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 Update:

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) will use this SDC unit to destroy a portion of the nerve-agent munitions, including full rocket overpacks and secondary waste products from destruction of the nerve-agent rockets, such as containerized drained GB rocket warheads.
This Month:
- Start of testing with simulated containerized rocket warheads
- Start of surrogate testing to closely simulate destruction of chemical agent
- Continuation of Electronic Security System endurance test

SDC 1200 Update:

BGCAPP is converting the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT), previously used to destroy the mustard-agent munitions, into the SDC 1200. This SDC unit will destroy secondary waste products from destruction of the nerve-agent rockets, containerized drained VX rocket warheads, and potentially containerized drained and undrained GB rocket warheads.
This Month:
- Installation of analytical gas tubing in Off-gas Treatment System Building for air-monitoring system
- Placement of concrete for crosswalk and access road
- Installation of conduit and pulling cables

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:
Dec. 14, 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, and potentially undrained rocket warheads. The safety of the workforce and the environment, as well as of the neighboring communities, is the program’s most important priority.