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 Dec. 30, 34.1% of the GB rockets have been destroyed
  • Continuation of processing
  • Continued equipment adjustments to improve efficiency

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. Rockets found unsuitable for processing in the main plant may also be destroyed in the SDC 2000. Pending environmental permitting approvals, problematic munitions will be managed in the SDC 2000 Earth-Covered Magazine. Rocket warheads will be separated from rocket motors. The undrained warheads will be containerized and destroyed in the SDC 2000.
• This Month:
  • Conducted systems demonstration procedure for the detonation chamber and off-gas treatment system
  • Conducted preparations for Integrated Operations Demonstrations prior to startup
  • Reviewing procedures and conducting drills to prepare for the start of operations

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 conduit to duct heaters in Mechanical Equipment Room
  • Placement of fencing at gas bottle rack storage area
  • Cable pulls to unit heaters for the thermal oxidizer

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.

The next Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting will be held:
March 1, 2023, 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.

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.