April 2018
Project Background
The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) will safely destroy 523 tons of chemical agent in rockets and artillery projectiles stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky.
The main plant technology selected by the Department of Defense to destroy the Blue Grass VX and GB (Sarin) nerve agent weapons stockpile is neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation.
The technology selected by the Department of Defense to destroy the Blue Grass mustard (H) agent weapons stockpile is Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT), specifically the Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC.
The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, 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 both Kentucky and Colorado.
The Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass Team, a joint venture of Bechtel National Inc. and Parsons Government Services Inc., along with teaming partners AECOM, Battelle, and GP Strategies Corporation, is the systems contractor selected to design, build, systemize, pilot test, operate and close BGCAPP.
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Main Plant Destruction Technology
Neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation will be used to destroy the nerve agent weapons stockpile.
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Explosive Destruction Technology
Workers place mustard projectiles in feed tray with aid of material-handling equipmentSystem allows for minimal handling of projectiles by workers
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
Projectiles conveyed to top of vesselFor added safety, it is a fully automatic, double air-lock feeding conveyor system
Projectiles fed into electrically heated detonation chamberChamber temperature maintained abovecritical temperature of energetics inside the projectiles
High heat detonate/deflagrate projectiles, mustard agent and energetics destroyed by explosion/thermal decompositionOff-gases treated by air pollution control system
SDC will be used to destroy the mustard agent weapons stockpile.
Safety
Safety remains a core value of the project workforce
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program Star Status site
Lost-time injury rate is 100 percent lower and recordable injury rate is 89 percent lower than industry average
As of March 31, 2018, the project has completed 9,625,258 hours and 1,431 days without a lost-time accident
Accidents per 200,000 job hours
(12‐month rolling rate)
5
2.4
.80
0.26
0.00
Recordable Injuries Lost‐Time Injuries
ConstructionIndustry
Bechtel Parsons
Current Project Staffing
Total project employment ― 868
Richmond, Kentucky ― 867
― Local hires ― 31 percent
Other locations ― 1
― San Francisco, California
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A member of the Special Projects team removes a pump from the Energetics Batch Hydrolyzer System in the Munitions Demilitarization Building.
Economic Impact
Acquisitions to date― $172 million spent with
Kentucky companies― $102.5 million spent in
Madison and surrounding counties
Payroll to date (includes nonmanual and craft)― $913 million of local payroll
paid
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A member of the Hydrolysate team performs an eye exam during a mask fitting inside the Medical Facility.
BGCAPP Progress
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Personnel Maintenance BuildingMedical FacilityHydrolysate Storage AreaControl and Support BuildingMunitions Demilitarization Building (MDB) Filter Banks
MDBContainer Handling BuildingExplosive Detonation Technology (EDT) Facility Site*Utility BuildingSupercritical Water Oxidation Building
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Maintenance BuildingPersonnel Support
BuildingLaboratory Building
*EDT constructed and now in pre-systemization
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Main Plant Progress
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A Systemization Team member observes as a portion of an inert rocket moves on a rotating conveyor in the Explosive Containment Room. Physical systemization at the main plant now stands at 80 percent complete.
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EDT Facility Progress
A subcontractor installs a window frame inside the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) Enclosure Building. EDT pre-systemization stands at 93 percent complete.
Community Involvement
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Workers from the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant unload donated items for the Richmond Salvation Army following a project food drive.
Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant
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Contact Information
Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office1000 Commercial Dr., Suite 2
859-626-8944
Sarah E. ParkePublic Outreach Manager
Mark YorkBechtel Parsons Blue Grass Communications Manager
U.S. Army Blue Grass Chemical
Activity431 Battlefield Memorial
Highway859-779-6897
Angela HurstPublic Affairs Officer
Shatara RiisPublic Affairs Officer
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