Implementation of Explosive Destruction Technology for problematic mustard projectiles

December 10, 2013

Presented to:

Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and

Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board

Explosive Destruction Technology Working Group

Presented by:

Jeff Brubaker, ACWA Site Manager

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Decision to use Explosive Destruction Technology at Blue Grass

PEO ACWA decision to implement EDT will safely resolve a significant challenge by destroying mustard projectiles deemed unsuitable for processing through the main BGCAPP facilities.

– PEO ACWA decision considerations included: Environmental Assessment and resulting Finding of No Significant Impact and stakeholder involvement

PEO ACWA has directed Bechtel Parsons to begin initial work supporting design, environmental permitting, construction, systemization, operations and closure of an EDT system.

– More than 15,000 155 mm mustard projectiles, with fewer than 200 in over-pack containers, along with two Department of Transportation (DOT) bottles containing mustard agent will be processed through the EDT.

2

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

3

Role as the systems contractor

Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass is the systems contractor responsible design, construction, systemization, operations and closure which includes:– Main neutralization/supercritical water oxidation pilot plant– Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) system

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

BGCAPP Operational Philosophy

4

•Protect the workforce, public and environment•Minimize or eliminate human interface with weapons•Minimize or eliminate additional waste streams

BGCAPP Operational Philosophy

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

M110 155mm H-filled Projectile(In 1943) (Today)

5

Blue Grass Mustard (H) Projectiles

Mustard filled projectiles are the oldest component of the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) stockpile

Manufactured between 1941 and 1943 at Edgewood Arsenal (EA) Maryland, today part of Aberdeen Proving Ground

Mustard filled projectiles are the only projectiles at BGAD that have an explosive charge referred to as a burster

Mustard M110 155mm Projectiles– Agent Type: Levinstein Mustard– Burster Explosive: Tetrytol– Percentage of Munition Inventory: 15.2 percent– Percentage of Agent Inventory: 17.3 percent

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Equipment Selection: Static Detonation Chamber

Equipment selected based upon competitive procurement process facilitated by Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass

Equipment selected: Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) system supplied by UXB International, Inc.

SDC system includes a spherical, fully-contained and high strength heat resistant stainless steel vessel

SDC uses electrically-generated heat causing munitions to detonate or deflagrate, thus destroying agent and energetics

Pollution abatement system includes thermal treatment and scrubbers to remove particulates, sulfur-dioxides, chlorine and any heavy metals.

System contains a robust carbon filtration system to ensure air released back to the environment is clean

SDC will be enclosed within a pre-engineered buildingconstructed atop a concrete foundation

6

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Static Detonation Chamber system

7

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

8

Static Detonation Chamber Overview

Workers place mustard projectiles in feed tray with aid of material-handling equipment

System allows for single handling of projectiles by workers

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Projectiles conveyed to top of vessel

For added safety, it is a fully automatic, double air-lock feeding conveyor system

Projectiles fed into electrically heated detonation chamber

Chamber temperature maintained abovecritical temperature of energetics inside the projectiles

High heat detonate/deflagrate projectiles, mustard agent and energetics destroyed by explosion/thermal decomposition

Off-gases treated by air pollution control system

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Static Detonation Chamber Cont.

9

Scrap metal is retained in the chamber until it has been completely treated to destroy all agent, including heels if present

The remaining byproduct, clean scrap metal will be removed for recycling

Before

AfterAfter

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

EDT Pollution Control System Overview

10

EDT air pollution control system basics Is treating off-gasses from EDT system

Is regulated under Title V Permit for the EDT system

Flamed Thermal Oxidizer1 Particulate

Collection2 Scrubbers3 Carbon Filters4

Air Pollution Control System Process Overview

Off-gasses

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Explosive Destruction Technologysite location

11

Explosive Destruction Technology

Utility Building

Supercritical Water Oxidation Process Building

Control and Support Building

Munitions Demilitarization Building

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

Explosive Destruction TechnologyMilestones

12

Operations

RCRA Part B Permit

Modification

Title V Air Permit

BGCAPP Site Work Begins

SDC Factory

Acceptance Testing

SDC Equipment

Delivery

Systemization

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

13

Questions