The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) July 7, 2023.

During the destruction process, neutralization, broke down nerve agent into a wastewater product known as hydrolysate. This wastewater is being shipped off site for further processing.

During the plant’s closure stage, hydrolysate will continue to be generated through decontamination activities.

The facility receiving and treating the hydrolysate is Veolia North America near Port Arthur, Texas.

En Español

La planta piloto de destrucción de agentes químicos de Blue Grass (Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant) está destruyendo las armas químicas almacenadas en el Depósito del Ejército de Blue Grass (Blue Grass Army Depot) cerca de Richmond, Kentucky. Una parte de la reserva de agentes químicos se neutraliza, creando un producto de aguas residuales conocido como hidrolizado. Durante las operaciones de la planta, estas aguas residuales se envían desde el depósito a servicios medioambientales de Veolia (Veolia North America) cerca Port Arthur, Texas para su posterior procesamiento. Para más información, comuníquese con la Oficina de Alcance de Existencias de Sustancias Químicas de Blue Grass (Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office) en bgoutreach@iem.com.

hydrolysate tanks

What is Hydrolysate?

BGCAPP hydrolysate was the product of the neutralization of nerve agent drained from chemical munitions stored at the depot during plant operations and will continue to be generated through decontamination activities during the plant’s closure stage.

The liquid waste has a high pH, making it comparable to a commercial drain cleaner or liquid bleach. Technicians used lab-created hydrolysate to calibrate equipment and prepare for plant operations.

Hydrolysate, as seen in this 2018 laboratory photograph, is a liquid waste stored in tanks at BGCAPP prior to off-site shipment for disposal. Small quantities were used to calibrate equipment that supports the plant's air monitoring system.
Hydrolysate, as seen in this 2018 laboratory photograph, is a liquid waste stored in tanks at BGCAPP prior to off-site shipment for disposal. Small quantities were used to calibrate equipment that supports the plant’s air monitoring system.

Safe History of Transportation

Hydrolysate is a Department of Transportation Class 8 corrosive material, a hazard similar in many ways to other corrosive materials shipped daily in the U.S. and throughout the world. Hydrolysate has been previously shipped from other chemical demilitarization facilities in the U.S. and from BGAD.

All VX nerve agent hydrolysate from the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Indiana was incinerated at Veolia beginning in 2007.

In 2009, 1,000 gallons of GB nerve agent hydrolysate was shipped from Kentucky to the Veolia facility as part of Operation Swift Solution.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Colorado shipped more than 842,000 gallons of mustard agent hydrolysate to Veolia for processing in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

A worker gives a thumbs-up as he signals a connection is complete on a tanker truck receiving the first load of VX hydrolysate for shipment at the Tanker Loading Station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Hydrolysate, a product of the nerve-agent neutralization process, is being shipped to Veolia Environmental Services near Port Arthur, Texas, for destruction.
A worker gives a thumbs-up as he signals a connection is complete on a tanker truck receiving the first load of VX hydrolysate for shipment at the Tanker Loading Station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Hydrolysate, a product of the nerve-agent neutralization process, is being shipped to Veolia North America near Port Arthur, Texas, for destruction.
An analyst and an Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons treaty official view a sample of VX hydrolysate in the laboratory at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Each batch of hydrolysate is tested to ensure chemical agent has been destroyed and that it is not flammable before being released to storage tanks to await off-site shipment.
An analyst and an Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons treaty official view a sample of VX hydrolysate in the laboratory at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Each batch of hydrolysate is tested to ensure chemical agent has been destroyed and that it is not flammable before being released to storage tanks to await off-site shipment.

Safety First

Safety of the workforce, community and environment is a top priority for the project. The utmost care and attention to detail is followed when shipping hydrolysate from BGCAPP. All applicable state laws and Department of Transportation regulations are followed. A permit modification request required prior to the first shipment of hydrolysate was approved by the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Sept. 23, 2021.

Resources and Contact Information

BGCAPP Environmental Activities

For more information about hydrolysate shipment, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626-8944 or bgoutreach@iem.com.

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