Update on the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

Update on the PuebloUpdate on the PuebloChemical Agent-DestructionPilot Plant

10 June 2013

Presented to:

Pueblo City Council

Presented by:

Bruce HuenefeldPueblo City Council Bruce HuenefeldSite Project ManagerAndRick HolmesBechtel Pueblo Team Project ManagerBechtel Pueblo Team Project Manager

Project Background

A Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

The Program Executive Officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alt ti (ACWA) h d t d t Ab d P i G d Alternatives (ACWA), headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is responsible for managing all aspects of the safe and environmentally sound destruction of the chemical weapons stockpiles in Colorado and Kentucky.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) will safely destroy 2,611 tons of mustard agent in mortar rounds and artillery projectiles stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot y p j y p(PCD). Neutralization followed by biotreatment is the technology

selected by the Department of Defense to destroy the Pueblo chemical weapons stockpile.chemical weapons stockpile.

The Bechtel Pueblo Team (BPT) is a partnership of Bechtel

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National, Inc., URS, Parsons, and Battelle Memorial Institute. The BPT functions as the systems contractor selected to design, build, systemize, pilot test, operate, and close the PCAPP.

PCAPP At-A-Glance


Destruction Technology: Neutralization/Biotreatment

Construction complete: 100%

Systemization complete: 42%

Operations begin: 2015

Local project employment: 783

Local payroll paid to date: $641.0 million

Spent with Colorado companies: $223.3 million

Anticipated end of destruction operations: 2019

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Safety


As of May 30 2013As of May 30, 2013PCAPP Project staff accomplished:

400 Safe Work Days 400 Safe Work Days

2,064,620 Safe Work Hours

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PCAPP Site Overview


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1

2

345 7

68

1 Enhanced Reconfiguration Buildingd G id d hi l C id

Northwestern Corner - Observation Point

Agent Filtration Area 5

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234

Automated Guided Vehicle CorridorAgent Processing BuildingBiotreatment Area

Munitions Service MagazineControl and Support Building

678 Munitions Service Magazine Corridor

Destruction Technology


Step 1 Step 4R l f E i Bi t t tp pRemoval of EnergeticsRobotic equipment removes energetics (explosives) from the weapon. The energetics will be disposed of at a permitted facility offsite.

BiotreatmentMicrobes treat the hydrolysate, breaking it down into brine. The brine is separated, with water being recycled back to the plant and salt cakes shipped f di l t itt d f ilit

Step 2 Step 5Removal of Mustard Agent

for disposal at a permitted facility.

Thermal Treatment andDisposal of Metal Parts

Step 3 N t li ti f ll d b

The inside of the weapon is remotely accessed and mustard agent is washed out with high‐pressure water.

Neutralization of

pMetal Parts are heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes and can then be recycled.

p Neutralization followed by biotreatment will be used to destroy the Colorado chemical weapons stockpile.

Neutralization of Mustard AgentThe mustard agent is neutralized with caustic solution and hot water. The byproduct is called hydrolysate.

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p

Systemization


PAPER PLANT PEOPLEPAPERDeveloping standard operating procedures and maintenance instructions, as well as test plans for various elements of

PLANTCommissioning, start-up, and testing of the physical plant; ensuring all the systems and facilities work properly and

PEOPLEHiring and training of the operations and maintenance staff needed to complete the ACWA mission. plans for various elements of

the pilot plants. facilities work properly and function together.

ACWA mission.

WHY DO IT?: By conducting progressive testing of all process components, subsystems, and systems, followed by hands-on

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demonstrations, we can ensure that the plant, procedures, and personnel are ready for the safe start of agent operations

Job Symposium


More than 400 people attended the PCAPP Job Symposium,

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p p y p ,held at the Pueblo Convention Center on April 29. Go to http://pueblo.bechtel.com/ for more information on openings and how to apply.

Explosive Destruction System (EDS) Technology OverviewA Partnership for Safe Chemical Weapons Destruction

On April 18, 2013, the Program Executive Officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternative Program announced the selection of EDS to augmentWeapons Alternative Program, announced the selection of EDS to augmentthe Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD)

Mission: To deploy two Phase 2 EDS units (each operating one at a time) to Mission: To deploy two Phase 2 EDS units (each operating one at a time) to treat the following items:

Current previously over packed stockpile items (557 on site)

Projected problematic munitions (leakers, rejects, and contaminated bursters) that may occur PCAPP operations p(estimated at 806 items)

Operations will start with over packed items, followed by 155mm projectiles, 105 mm

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155mm projectiles, 105 mm projectiles, and 4.2 inch mortars and contaminated bursters Three-piece EDS Clamp (P2A)

Connect with PEO ACWAhttps://www.peoacwa.army.mil/


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• In 2011, the Army developed hardware and successfully conducted 0 , t e y de e oped a d a e a d success u y co ductednon-agent EDS testing using shaped charges on six 155mm projectiles

155mm projectiles after processing155mm projectiles ready to load

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Post shot images showing a “3 Pack” using 4 2 inch mortars stillPost shot images showing a 3 Pack using 4.2-inch mortars still containing burster rods

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Update on the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

Documents

Transcript of Update on the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant