Interim Design Assessment for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant

Because of concerns about incineration, the Department of Defense plans to use alternative means to destroy the chemical agent stockpiles at the Pueblo and Blue Grass facilities. The DOD contracted with Bechtel Parsons to design and operate pilot plants for this purpose. As part of the NRC efforts to assist the DOD with its chemical demilitarization efforts, the Department requested a review and assessment of the Bechtel designs for both plants. An earlier report presented an assessment of the Pueblo design. This report provides a review of the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant based on review of data and information about the initial design and some intermediate design data. Among other topics, the report presents technical risk assessment issues, an analysis of delivery and disassembly operations and of agent destruction core processes, and an examination of waste treatment.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Technical Risk Assessment Issues3 Delivery and Disassembly Operations4 Core Processes for Agent and Energetics Destruction5 Treatment of Hydrolysates and Residual Wastes6 General Findings and RecommendationsReferencesAppendix A Summary Responsibilities of Bechtel Parsons Blue GrassTeam MembersAppendix B Diagrams of Chemical Munitions at Blue Grass Army DepotAppendix C Information on Current Composition of Levenstein MustardAgent at Blue Grass Army DepotAppendix D Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersAppendix E Committee Meetings and Site Visits