Mission and Safety
The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, has safely and efficiently destroyed the stockpile of chemical weapons in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot since the 1950s. The Department of Defense’s Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, known as PEO ACWA, was responsible for safely destroying the depot’s mustard agent-filled projectiles, thereby eliminating the risk associated with continued storage. The safety of the workforce, neighboring communities, and the environment remains the program’s top priority when the closure process begins.
PCAPP Chemical Weapons Destruction Technologies
Neutralization Followed by Biotreatment
The Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot and the community worked together to select neutralization followed by biotreatment to destroy the chemical weapons stored at the depot.
Explosive Destruction System
The Explosive Destruction System, or EDS, augmented the pilot plant to destroy a number of problematic munitions that could not be easily destroyed by the main plant’s automated equipment. During two campaigns from March 2015 to December 2018, the EDS eliminated 951 items resulting in 3.82 tons of mustard agent destroyed.
Static Detonation Chamber
Static Detonation Chamber units were part of the chemical weapons destruction progress at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC was selected to augment the main plant by destroying 4.2-inch mortar rounds and overpacked, problematic munitions. Each SDC is two units — the detonation chamber and the off-gas treatment system.