Crews operating the Static Detonation Chamber complex at the Pueblo plant recorded the highest monthly destruction totals since the elimination of 4.2-inch mortar rounds began in February 2022.
“We are poised for success in 2023 thanks to the SDC complex,” said Walton Levi, site project manager, Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “The tremendous year-end numbers in the SDC units confirm my optimism about our completion timeline and motivate the workforce to excel.”
The SDC workforce destroyed 5,139 4.2-inch mortar rounds in December, which surpassed the previous best month total of 4,101 in November, for a total of 24,975 4.2-inch mortar rounds overall in 2022. The three SDC units are scheduled to process 4.2-inch mortar rounds as well as problematic 105mm and 155mm overpacked projectiles/mortars deemed unsuitable for automated processing in the main plant due to their age or condition.
Levi said the numbers for the last two months are impressive, given that the complex has been operating at just 75% capacity while awaiting approval of the Multiple Pathway Health Risk Assessment from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Their approval will allow the plant to move to full operational destruction capacity.
Levi also said main plant crews also are destroying 4.2-inch mortar rounds with the recently upgraded Improved Cavity Access Machines, which have shown initial promising results, but because of required testing, only a minimal number have been processed so far. They are waiting on CDPHE to give approval to restart processing in that facility.
Munitions destroyed in an SDC unit are detonated or deflagrated inside an electrically heated containment vessel that reaches 1,150 degrees Fahrenheit. Emissions generated are neutralized in an off-gas treatment system, which filters and cools gases to remove contaminants. The main plant is using neutralization followed by biotreatment to destroy munitions.
The Pueblo plant is required by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty to eliminate Colorado’s chemical weapons stockpile stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot by Sept. 30, 2023. The Pueblo plant had destroyed more than 2,399 U.S. tons, or 91% of the stockpile, as of Dec. 30, 2022.
