The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, continued pushing forward with systemization. In July, BGCAPP technicians tested the conveyor system and the Energetics Batch Hydrolyzer rail robots. A scale model of rocket motor monitoring equipment was used to confirm a design that, when fabricated, will support future plant operations. Blue Grass emergency response teams trained for high-angle rescues.
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The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, continued pushing forward with systemization. In June, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine visited the Blue Grass plant and provided expertise and advice. The Agent Collection System was the first Blue Grass system to be turned over from systemization to operations. This system collects the liquid chemical agent drained from munitions and stores it before agent neutralization. Also in June, the plant held its first public auction, selling excess tools and materials. Additionally, Blue Grass plant scientists tested chemicals to be used on site to make sure they don’t interfere with chemical agent monitoring.
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, continued pushing forward with systemization. In May, the BGCAPP team began developing its pilot testing plan. The use of portable water purifiers instead of permanent units saves the project money while providing necessary clean water. Additionally, workers continued reducing potential risks at the plant by tagging the sulfuric acid system and performing caustic leak spill drills to train workers and practice established processes.
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Maintenance Department staff are responsible for maintaining the plant during systemization and operations. Maintenance workers’ daily activities range from electrical to mechanical work to keep systems running smoothly.
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, has completed 71 percent of its testing phase activities known as Systemization. Technicians continued testing the Rocket Shear Machine, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ Executive Council visited the plant. Additionally, the site safety plan for the explosive destruction technology, the Static Detonation Chamber, was approved by Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board.
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, has completed 70 percent of its testing phase activities known as Systemization. Technicians began rotation testing of Energetics Batch Hydrolyzer drums, and the waste transfer station was completed. Additionally, technicians calibrated Utility Building instrumentation.
The Blue Grass Chemical-Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, has completed 68 percent of its testing phase activities known as Systemization. Workers are checking nearly 40 miles of pipes as part of their piping pressurization testing. Also, the Blue Grass team conducted smoke testing to prepare for ventilation system balancing. Additionally, technicians are performing instrument calibration which is the process of verifying all instrumentation is accurately reading and functioning per manufacturer specifications.
In 2016, the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, focused on systemization, the third of six project phases. In the main plant, which is set to destroy the Kentucky nerve agent stockpile, workers continued to test equipment and verify activities to ensure the plant operates safely and efficiently. In the Explosive Destruction Technology facility, being built to destroy the mustard agent stockpile, the Static Detonation Chamber was placed and the building went up around it.
The Blue Grass Chemical-Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, has completed 62 percent of its testing phase activities known as Systemization. Firefighters from the Blue Grass Army Depot participated in high-angle rescue training by rappelling from the top of storage tanks at the plant. Laboratory staff calibrated the plant’s air monitoring systems.
The Control Room, or CON, recently moved to 24/7 operations with the introduction of utilities to the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, including boilers, natural-gas systems, chillers and compressed-air systems. The move to around-the-clock operations gives CON operators the ability to monitor equipment being turned over to systemization start-up teams to bring on line, and to take appropriate actions if necessary.