The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is safely destroying the remaining U.S. chemical weapons stockpile stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky. The depot originally stored 523 U.S. tons of mustard and nerve agent contained in projectiles and rockets. BGCAPP is using neutralization and Static Detonation Chamber units to destroy the munitions. Agent destruction operations began June 7, 2019, and the program is targeting completion by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Public Law mandates stockpile destruction by Dec. 31, 2023.
For the Media:
Video Footage: Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Operations
The following video clips show the main plant facility where nerve agent is being neutralized. Portions of this footage have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
BGCAPP Main Plant Started M55 Rocket Operations in July 2021
| View Main Plant VX M55 Rockets Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in M55 rockets. The campaigns to destroy the 155mm and 8-inch projectiles containing nerve agent are complete. Destruction of the M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent began July 9, 2021.
- Workers Unload A Pallet of VX M55 Rockets (0:00 – 0:06)
Workers transfer M55 rockets from pallets used for storage and transport to a Rocket Non-Destructive Examination (RNDE) transfer cart. - Workers Place VX M55 Rockets into the Rocket Input Assembly (0:06 – 0:14)
Workers place each rocket into the rocket input assembly for entry into the conveyor system that moves the rocket through the automated destruction process. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) Delivery and Storage (0:14 – 0:23)
An EONC holding M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent is delivered to the Container Handling Building (CHB).
A sideloader then places the EONC next to another EONC inside the CHB. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Workers Open and Unload M55 Rockets from the EONC (0:23 – 0:39)
Workers open, inspect and unload two pallets of M55 rockets from an EONC. - Worker Removes Band from Pallet (0:39 – 0:45)
A worker uses a tool to cut the metal bands off the pallet of M55 rockets in preparation for unpacking the rockets. - Unpacking and Loading Rockets onto Transfer Cart (0:45 – 0:50)
Workers unpack the rockets from a pallet and load them onto a transfer cart. - RNDE Equipment (0:50 – 1:02)
A worker loads a transfer cart of M55 rockets into the RNDE equipment.
Workers examine an X-ray of the M55 rocket to look for agent leakage.
An M55 rocket is picked up and moved to a transfer cart after being X-rayed in the RNDE equipment. - Workers Place M55 Rockets on Conveyor (1:02 – 1:22)
Workers place M55 rockets onto the rocket input assembly. The rockets are then fed one at a time onto the conveyor to begin the automated destruction process. - Control and Support Building (1:22 – 1:29)
Control Room operators and engineers communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Footage of an M55 Rocket in Explosive Containment Vestibule (1:29 – 3:29)
The rocket enters the Explosive Containment Vestibule and a robot places it in the Vertical Rocket Cutting Machine.
The machine cuts the Shipping and Firing Tube and the robot removes the top portion.
The machine then makes a second cut to separate the warhead from the motor.
Once separated, the first robot picks up the warhead to place it on the transfer station while a second robot places the Shipping and Firing Tube on a conveyor to go to the Motor Packing Room.
The first robot turns to retrieve the rocket motor from the Vertical Rocket Cutting Machine.
The second robot picks up the warhead to continue its path to destruction. - CCTV Footage of an M55 Rocket Warhead in the Explosive Containment Room (3:29 – 5:38)
The warhead enters the Explosive Containment Room.
Automated equipment punches the warhead, and the chemical agent is drained, collected and neutralized.
The drained warhead travels to a wrapper station to be wrapped with plastic. The plastic helps reduce agent contamination.
A robot places the warhead in a crimper station where it is containerized. - CCTV Footage of the Warhead Container Labeling Station (5:38 – 6:47)
The robots move the containerized warhead to the next room where it is labeled and placed on a Mobile Industrial Robot.
The robot moves the container to be placed in a skid. - CCTV Footage of the Motor Packing Room (6:47 – 7:40)
A robot places the shipping and firing tube in a box for storage and later shipment.
The robot then places the rocket motor into a box for storage and later destruction. - Boxes of Rocket Motors Sent for Storage (7:40 – 7:56)
The boxes are loaded onto a truck and are sent to a storage igloo for storage before they are later sent for final disposal. - Pallets of Rocket Warheads Sent for Storage (7:56 – 8:12)
Workers load the containerized rocket warhead skids onto a truck.
A truck transports containerized rocket warhead skids to a storage igloo for later destruction in a Static Detonation Chamber. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (8:12 – 8:22)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility for further processing. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (8:22 – 8:32)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up.
Historic Video Footage: Completed Destruction Campaigns at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant
The following video clips show historic footage of the completed destruction campaigns at the BGCAPP main plant and the Explosive Destruction Technology facilities. Portions of this footage have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
BGCAPP Main Plant Completed VX 155mm Projectile Operations in May 2021
| View Main Plant VX 155mm Projectile Campaign Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in rockets and projectiles. On Jan. 10, 2021, the first VX 155mm projectiles were destroyed. The campaign completed on May 28, 2021.
- Loading VX 155mm Projectiles (0:00-0:10)
A munitions handler positions a 155mm projectile containing VX nerve agent for placement into a tray within the Unpack Area of the Munitions Demilitarization Building to begin the destruction process. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) Delivery (0:10-0:15)
A truck pulling an EONC holding VX 155mm projectiles arrives at the entry to the Container Handling Building. The EONCs are transportation containers designed to safely transport the chemical munitions from their monitored storage on the Blue Grass Army Depot to the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant for destruction. - Agent Designation (0:15-0:18)
A worker places a marker designating the specific agent in the unloading operation on a sign board readily visible to operation personnel in the Container Handling Building. - EONC Unloading (0:18-0:26)
A munitions handler checks the projectiles inside an EONC as the door is opened inside the Unpack Area in the main plant. - EONC Unloading (0:27-0:37)
A spotter watches as a forklift driver removes a pallet of VX 155mm projectiles from an EONC inside the main plant’s Unpack Area. - Moving Projectile Pallets (0:37-0:46)
A sequence of clips shows workers moving a pallet of VX 155mm projectiles for staging and placement into the destruction process. - Removing Positioning Rings (0:47-0:50)
A worker uses a crowbar to loosen a positioning ring on a projectile in a pallet. The rings need to be removed before the projectiles are placed into form-fitting trays for entry into the destruction process. - Loading Projectiles into Trays (0:51-1:03)
A series of clips depicts workers using a lift assist to pick up projectiles from pallets and place them into trays for entry into the destruction process in the Munitions Demilitarization Building. - Loading Projectiles into Trays (1:03-1:09)
A loaded tray of VX 155mm projectiles is conveyed into the automated section of the plant to begin the destruction process. Human hands will not touch these projectiles again as part of the standard destruction process. - Munitions Washout System (1:09-2:15)
The Munitions Washout System robot moves nerve-agent projectiles through each element of the system. The projectile nose closure is removed. The projectile is then checked for energetics or explosives. Next, it is placed in the Cavity Access Machine to drain the liquid chemical agent. Finally, it is weighed and then placed in the projectile tray to be thermally decontaminated in the Metal Parts Treater. - Metal Parts Treater (2:15-2:29)
A series of clips depicts a tray of projectiles progressing through the Metal Parts Treater, which inductively heats them to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes to thermally cleanse them. - Cool Down Area (2:29-2:32)
A worker checks a pallet of projectiles after it has been thermally decontaminated and cooled to room temperature in the Cool Down Area in the Munitions Demilitarization Building. The projectile bodies are clean and will be taken off site for recycling at a permitted facility. - Control and Support Building (2:32-2:43)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (2:44-2:54)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, as it awaits shipment to an off-site facility for processing. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (2:54-3:04)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. The stacks release clean, filtered air from the chemical demilitarization facility back to the atmosphere. This footage has been sped up.
BGCAPP Explosive Destruction Technology Completed H 155mm Projectile Operations in September 2021
| View Explosive Destruction Technology Video
Explosive Destruction Technology Facility: This facility, housing a Static Detonation Chamber unit, is destroying Kentucky’s mustard agent munitions. Agent destruction operations began June 2019. By September 2020, 50% of the mustard munitions were destroyed. Editor’s Note: Portions of the following video clips are blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
- Munitions delivery (0:00-0:15)
Munitions are delivered in an Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) before being unloaded at the Explosive Destruction Technology Facility. - Munitions movement (0:15-0:30)
Munitions handlers use a lift-assist crane to move 155mm projectiles filled with mustard agent from a pallet to boxes in preparation for processing. - Rotating ban removal (0:30-0:38)
Munitions handlers use metal snips to remove the rotating ban from the projectile and place it inside the box to be processed in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC). - Box sealing and marking (0:38-0:56)
Munitions handlers use a lift-assist crane to lower the projectile into the cardboard box before sealing it closed and marking it in preparation for processing. - Munitions elevator (0:56-1:14)
Boxes containing the projectiles are transported to the top of the SDC using an elevator.
At the top, the box is transferred to the chamber vessel by the Airlock Feed Conveyor. - SDC (1:14-1:30)
The Explosive Destruction Technology Enclosure Building holds an SDC unit. This equipment uses thermal destruction technology to safely destroy Kentucky’s mustard munitions stockpile. - Recycled munitions (1:30-1:36)
Once munitions are destroyed, the decontaminated scrap bodies exit the SDC on a conveyor and are stored in roll-off bins for recycling.
BGCAPP Main Plant Completed GB 8-Inch Projectile Operations in May 2020
| View Main Plant GB 8-Inch Projectile Campaign Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in rockets and projectiles. Operations began January 2020. Editor’s Note: Portions of the following video clips are blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
- Workers move pallets of 8-inch projectiles (0:00 – 0:12)
Workers use forklifts to place and move pallets of 8-inch projectiles through the plant as spotters help guide them through the process. - Unpacking and loading of a pallet of 8-inch projectiles (0:12 – 0:18)
Munitions are shown being moved down a conveyor system. - Munitions Washout System (MWS) processes 8-inch projectiles (0:18 – 0:28)
The robot removes an 8-inch projectile from the tray on the conveyor and places it at the Nose Closure Removal Station. - Control and Support Building (0:28 – 0:31)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (0:31 – 0:39)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks will store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (0:39 – 0:45)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) delivery and storage (0:45 – 1:17)
An EONC holding 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent is delivered to the Container Handling Building (CHB).
A sideloader is shown coming out of the CHB, lifting the EONC off the delivery truck and bringing it into the CHB.
A sideloader then places the EONC next to another EONC inside the CHB. - EONC movement from the CHB to the Munitions Demilitarization Building (MDB) (1:17 – 3:09)
The sideloader picks up an EONC out of a row of EONCs, moves it through a series of large blast doors and unloads it in the Unpack Area in the MDB. - Workers open and unload 8-inch projectiles from the EONC (3:09 – 4:04)
Workers open, inspect and unload two pallets of 8-inch projectiles from an EONC. - Workers move pallets of 8-inch projectiles (4:04 – 4:59)
Workers use forklifts to place and move pallets of 8-inch projectiles through the plant as spotters help guide them through the process. - Unpacking and loading of a pallet of 8-inch projectiles (4:59 – 5:40)
Workers unstrap a pallet of 8-inch projectiles and use a hand crane to lift and lower them onto a conveyor. This is the last time human hands will touch the projectiles.
The munitions are then conveyed through a blast door. - Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage of 8-inch projectiles passing through the conveyor room (5:40 – 6:53)
A tray of 8-inch projectiles passes through the blast doors along a conveyor system on their way to the MWS room. - MWS processes 8-inch projectiles (6:53 – 8:33)
The robot removes an 8-inch projectile from the tray on the conveyor and places it at the Nose Closure Removal Station.
Automated equipment removes the lifting lug from the 8-inch projectile and is weighed on a scale.
The munition is transferred to a Cavity Access Machine to be drained of the GB nerve agent.
A robot lifts the 8-inch projectile showing the final drops of GB nerve agent draining into the MWS and is weighed again before being returned to the tray on the conveyor. - 8-inch projectiles enter the Metal Parts Treater (MPT) (8:33 – 9:11)
The tray of 8-inch projectiles on a conveyor enter the MPT.
The projectile bodies are heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 15 minutes to destroy any residual GB nerve agent before proceeding to the cooldown area. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (9:11 – 9:16)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks are shown at sunrise. The stacks release clean, filtered air from the chemical demilitarization facility back to the atmosphere. - MDB Filter Banks (9:16 – 9:55)
Carbon filters are installed in the MDB Filter Banks. The filters scrub the air of contaminants from the building before being released to the atmosphere. Continuous air-monitoring systems installed in the filter banks and air stacks monitor to ensure there is no residual agent released. - Control and Support Building (9:55 – 10:07)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (10:07 – 10:18)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks will store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (10:18 – 10:26)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up.
More BGCAPP Resources
To learn more about the BGCAPP mission of destroying the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile in Kentucky, click on the links below to access press releases, news articles and videos.
BGCAPP Fact Sheets:
- Facts: Acronyms Commonly Used in the Chemical Weapons Destruction Program
- Facts: Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass
- Facts: Blue Grass ACWA Test Equipment
- Facts: Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant COVID-19 Response
- Facts: Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office
- Facts: Chemical Munitions at Blue Grass
- Facts: Chemical Weapons Destruction at Blue Grass
- Facts: Connect with the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant
- Facts: Employment and Business Opportunities
- Facts: Environmental Permitting: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Facts: Hydrolysate Shipment Frequently Asked Questions
- Facts: Information Repositories
- Facts: Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board
- Facts: Nerve Agent Neutralization
- Facts: Operation Swift Solution
- Facts: Perimeter Monitoring
- Facts: Personnel Reliability Program
- Facts: Secondary Waste Treatment and Disposal
- Facts: Static Detonation Chamber (SDC)
- Videos
-
Video Footage: Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Operations
The following video clips show the main plant facility where nerve agent is being neutralized. Portions of this footage have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
BGCAPP Main Plant Started M55 Rocket Operations in July 2021| View Main Plant VX M55 Rockets Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in M55 rockets. The campaigns to destroy the 155mm and 8-inch projectiles containing nerve agent are complete. Destruction of the M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent began July 9, 2021.
- Workers Unload A Pallet of VX M55 Rockets (0:00 – 0:06)
Workers transfer M55 rockets from pallets used for storage and transport to a Rocket Non-Destructive Examination (RNDE) transfer cart. - Workers Place VX M55 Rockets into the Rocket Input Assembly (0:06 – 0:14)
Workers place each rocket into the rocket input assembly for entry into the conveyor system that moves the rocket through the automated destruction process. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) Delivery and Storage (0:14 – 0:23)
An EONC holding M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent is delivered to the Container Handling Building (CHB).
A sideloader then places the EONC next to another EONC inside the CHB. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Workers Open and Unload M55 Rockets from the EONC (0:23 – 0:39)
Workers open, inspect and unload two pallets of M55 rockets from an EONC. - Worker Removes Band from Pallet (0:39 – 0:45)
A worker uses a tool to cut the metal bands off the pallet of M55 rockets in preparation for unpacking the rockets. - Unpacking and Loading Rockets onto Transfer Cart (0:45 – 0:50)
Workers unpack the rockets from a pallet and load them onto a transfer cart. - RNDE Equipment (0:50 – 1:02)
A worker loads a transfer cart of M55 rockets into the RNDE equipment.
Workers examine an X-ray of the M55 rocket to look for agent leakage.
An M55 rocket is picked up and moved to a transfer cart after being X-rayed in the RNDE equipment. - Workers Place M55 Rockets on Conveyor (1:02 – 1:22)
Workers place M55 rockets onto the rocket input assembly. The rockets are then fed one at a time onto the conveyor to begin the automated destruction process. - Control and Support Building (1:22 – 1:29)
Control Room operators and engineers communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Footage of an M55 Rocket in Explosive Containment Vestibule (1:29 – 3:29)
The rocket enters the Explosive Containment Vestibule and a robot places it in the Vertical Rocket Cutting Machine.
The machine cuts the Shipping and Firing Tube and the robot removes the top portion.
The machine then makes a second cut to separate the warhead from the motor.
Once separated, the first robot picks up the warhead to place it on the transfer station while a second robot places the Shipping and Firing Tube on a conveyor to go to the Motor Packing Room.
The first robot turns to retrieve the rocket motor from the Vertical Rocket Cutting Machine.
The second robot picks up the warhead to continue its path to destruction. - CCTV Footage of an M55 Rocket Warhead in the Explosive Containment Room (3:29 – 5:38)
The warhead enters the Explosive Containment Room.
Automated equipment punches the warhead, and the chemical agent is drained, collected and neutralized.
The drained warhead travels to a wrapper station to be wrapped with plastic. The plastic helps reduce agent contamination.
A robot places the warhead in a crimper station where it is containerized. - CCTV Footage of the Warhead Container Labeling Station (5:38 – 6:47)
The robots move the containerized warhead to the next room where it is labeled and placed on a Mobile Industrial Robot.
The robot moves the container to be placed in a skid. - CCTV Footage of the Motor Packing Room (6:47 – 7:40)
A robot places the shipping and firing tube in a box for storage and later shipment.
The robot then places the rocket motor into a box for storage and later destruction. - Boxes of Rocket Motors Sent for Storage (7:40 – 7:56)
The boxes are loaded onto a truck and are sent to a storage igloo for storage before they are later sent for final disposal. - Pallets of Rocket Warheads Sent for Storage (7:56 – 8:12)
Workers load the containerized rocket warhead skids onto a truck.
A truck transports containerized rocket warhead skids to a storage igloo for later destruction in a Static Detonation Chamber. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (8:12 – 8:22)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility for further processing. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (8:22 – 8:32)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up.
Historic Video Footage: Completed Destruction Campaigns at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant
The following video clips show historic footage of the completed destruction campaigns at the BGCAPP main plant and the Explosive Destruction Technology facilities. Portions of this footage have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
BGCAPP Main Plant Completed VX 155mm Projectile Operations in May 2021| View Main Plant VX 155mm Projectile Campaign Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in rockets and projectiles. On Jan. 10, 2021, the first VX 155mm projectiles were destroyed. The campaign completed on May 28, 2021.
- Loading VX 155mm Projectiles (0:00-0:10)
A munitions handler positions a 155mm projectile containing VX nerve agent for placement into a tray within the Unpack Area of the Munitions Demilitarization Building to begin the destruction process. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) Delivery (0:10-0:15)
A truck pulling an EONC holding VX 155mm projectiles arrives at the entry to the Container Handling Building. The EONCs are transportation containers designed to safely transport the chemical munitions from their monitored storage on the Blue Grass Army Depot to the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant for destruction. - Agent Designation (0:15-0:18)
A worker places a marker designating the specific agent in the unloading operation on a sign board readily visible to operation personnel in the Container Handling Building. - EONC Unloading (0:18-0:26)
A munitions handler checks the projectiles inside an EONC as the door is opened inside the Unpack Area in the main plant. - EONC Unloading (0:27-0:37)
A spotter watches as a forklift driver removes a pallet of VX 155mm projectiles from an EONC inside the main plant’s Unpack Area. - Moving Projectile Pallets (0:37-0:46)
A sequence of clips shows workers moving a pallet of VX 155mm projectiles for staging and placement into the destruction process. - Removing Positioning Rings (0:47-0:50)
A worker uses a crowbar to loosen a positioning ring on a projectile in a pallet. The rings need to be removed before the projectiles are placed into form-fitting trays for entry into the destruction process. - Loading Projectiles into Trays (0:51-1:03)
A series of clips depicts workers using a lift assist to pick up projectiles from pallets and place them into trays for entry into the destruction process in the Munitions Demilitarization Building. - Loading Projectiles into Trays (1:03-1:09)
A loaded tray of VX 155mm projectiles is conveyed into the automated section of the plant to begin the destruction process. Human hands will not touch these projectiles again as part of the standard destruction process. - Munitions Washout System (1:09-2:15)
The Munitions Washout System robot moves nerve-agent projectiles through each element of the system. The projectile nose closure is removed. The projectile is then checked for energetics or explosives. Next, it is placed in the Cavity Access Machine to drain the liquid chemical agent. Finally, it is weighed and then placed in the projectile tray to be thermally decontaminated in the Metal Parts Treater. - Metal Parts Treater (2:15-2:29)
A series of clips depicts a tray of projectiles progressing through the Metal Parts Treater, which inductively heats them to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes to thermally cleanse them. - Cool Down Area (2:29-2:32)
A worker checks a pallet of projectiles after it has been thermally decontaminated and cooled to room temperature in the Cool Down Area in the Munitions Demilitarization Building. The projectile bodies are clean and will be taken off site for recycling at a permitted facility. - Control and Support Building (2:32-2:43)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (2:44-2:54)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, as it awaits shipment to an off-site facility for processing. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (2:54-3:04)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. The stacks release clean, filtered air from the chemical demilitarization facility back to the atmosphere. This footage has been sped up.
BGCAPP Explosive Destruction Technology Completed H 155mm Projectile Operations in September 2021| View Explosive Destruction Technology Video
Explosive Destruction Technology Facility: This facility, housing a Static Detonation Chamber unit, is destroying Kentucky’s mustard agent munitions. Agent destruction operations began June 2019. By September 2020, 50% of the mustard munitions were destroyed. Editor’s Note: Portions of the following video clips are blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
- Munitions delivery (0:00-0:15)
Munitions are delivered in an Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) before being unloaded at the Explosive Destruction Technology Facility. - Munitions movement (0:15-0:30)
Munitions handlers use a lift-assist crane to move 155mm projectiles filled with mustard agent from a pallet to boxes in preparation for processing. - Rotating ban removal (0:30-0:38)
Munitions handlers use metal snips to remove the rotating ban from the projectile and place it inside the box to be processed in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC). - Box sealing and marking (0:38-0:56)
Munitions handlers use a lift-assist crane to lower the projectile into the cardboard box before sealing it closed and marking it in preparation for processing. - Munitions elevator (0:56-1:14)
Boxes containing the projectiles are transported to the top of the SDC using an elevator.
At the top, the box is transferred to the chamber vessel by the Airlock Feed Conveyor. - SDC (1:14-1:30)
The Explosive Destruction Technology Enclosure Building holds an SDC unit. This equipment uses thermal destruction technology to safely destroy Kentucky’s mustard munitions stockpile. - Recycled munitions (1:30-1:36)
Once munitions are destroyed, the decontaminated scrap bodies exit the SDC on a conveyor and are stored in roll-off bins for recycling.
BGCAPP Main Plant Completed GB 8-Inch Projectile Operations in May 2020| View Main Plant GB 8-Inch Projectile Campaign Video
Main Plant: The main plant is destroying Kentucky’s nerve agent stockpile contained in rockets and projectiles. Operations began January 2020. Editor’s Note: Portions of the following video clips are blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.
- Workers move pallets of 8-inch projectiles (0:00 – 0:12)
Workers use forklifts to place and move pallets of 8-inch projectiles through the plant as spotters help guide them through the process. - Unpacking and loading of a pallet of 8-inch projectiles (0:12 – 0:18)
Munitions are shown being moved down a conveyor system. - Munitions Washout System (MWS) processes 8-inch projectiles (0:18 – 0:28)
The robot removes an 8-inch projectile from the tray on the conveyor and places it at the Nose Closure Removal Station. - Control and Support Building (0:28 – 0:31)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (0:31 – 0:39)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks will store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (0:39 – 0:45)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up. - Enhanced On-site Container (EONC) delivery and storage (0:45 – 1:17)
An EONC holding 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent is delivered to the Container Handling Building (CHB).
A sideloader is shown coming out of the CHB, lifting the EONC off the delivery truck and bringing it into the CHB.
A sideloader then places the EONC next to another EONC inside the CHB. - EONC movement from the CHB to the Munitions Demilitarization Building (MDB) (1:17 – 3:09)
The sideloader picks up an EONC out of a row of EONCs, moves it through a series of large blast doors and unloads it in the Unpack Area in the MDB. - Workers open and unload 8-inch projectiles from the EONC (3:09 – 4:04)
Workers open, inspect and unload two pallets of 8-inch projectiles from an EONC. - Workers move pallets of 8-inch projectiles (4:04 – 4:59)
Workers use forklifts to place and move pallets of 8-inch projectiles through the plant as spotters help guide them through the process. - Unpacking and loading of a pallet of 8-inch projectiles (4:59 – 5:40)
Workers unstrap a pallet of 8-inch projectiles and use a hand crane to lift and lower them onto a conveyor. This is the last time human hands will touch the projectiles.
The munitions are then conveyed through a blast door. - Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage of 8-inch projectiles passing through the conveyor room (5:40 – 6:53)
A tray of 8-inch projectiles passes through the blast doors along a conveyor system on their way to the MWS room. - MWS processes 8-inch projectiles (6:53 – 8:33)
The robot removes an 8-inch projectile from the tray on the conveyor and places it at the Nose Closure Removal Station.
Automated equipment removes the lifting lug from the 8-inch projectile and is weighed on a scale.
The munition is transferred to a Cavity Access Machine to be drained of the GB nerve agent.
A robot lifts the 8-inch projectile showing the final drops of GB nerve agent draining into the MWS and is weighed again before being returned to the tray on the conveyor. - 8-inch projectiles enter the Metal Parts Treater (MPT) (8:33 – 9:11)
The tray of 8-inch projectiles on a conveyor enter the MPT.
The projectile bodies are heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 15 minutes to destroy any residual GB nerve agent before proceeding to the cooldown area. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (9:11 – 9:16)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks are shown at sunrise. The stacks release clean, filtered air from the chemical demilitarization facility back to the atmosphere. - MDB Filter Banks (9:16 – 9:55)
Carbon filters are installed in the MDB Filter Banks. The filters scrub the air of contaminants from the building before being released to the atmosphere. Continuous air-monitoring systems installed in the filter banks and air stacks monitor to ensure there is no residual agent released. - Control and Support Building (9:55 – 10:07)
Control Room operators communicate with technicians and remotely operate various systems throughout the facility. - Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks (10:07 – 10:18)
The Hydrolysate Storage Area tanks will store hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent, until it is ready to be shipped to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. A portion of this footage is sped up. - Clean-air Exhaust Stacks (10:18 – 10:26)
The Clean-air Exhaust Stacks and Filter Banks are shown at sunrise. This footage has been sped up.
More BGCAPP ResourcesTo learn more about the BGCAPP mission of destroying the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile in Kentucky, click on the links below to access press releases, news articles and videos.
- Workers Unload A Pallet of VX M55 Rockets (0:00 – 0:06)
- Photos
- Facts
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BGCAPP Fact Sheets:
- Facts: Acronyms Commonly Used in the Chemical Weapons Destruction Program
- Facts: Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass
- Facts: Blue Grass ACWA Test Equipment
- Facts: Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant COVID-19 Response
- Facts: Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office
- Facts: Chemical Munitions at Blue Grass
- Facts: Chemical Weapons Destruction at Blue Grass
- Facts: Connect with the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant
- Facts: Employment and Business Opportunities
- Facts: Environmental Permitting: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Facts: Hydrolysate Shipment Frequently Asked Questions
- Facts: Information Repositories
- Facts: Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board
- Facts: Nerve Agent Neutralization
- Facts: Operation Swift Solution
- Facts: Perimeter Monitoring
- Facts: Personnel Reliability Program
- Facts: Secondary Waste Treatment and Disposal
- Facts: Static Detonation Chamber (SDC)
Contact Us:
For media inquiries about the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, contact:
| Sarah Marko Phone: (859) 624-7279 Email: sarah.marko@iem.com |
Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office Phone: (859) 626-8944 Email: bgoutreach@iem.com |
