U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL MATERIALS ACTIVITY

Pueblo Chemical Depot Explosive Destruction System (PCD EDS)

May 2013

Presented to:Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission

Presented by:Mr. Steven BirdPueblo Chemical Depot Explosive Destruction System Project LeadProject Manager for Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel

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Pueblo Chemical Depot Explosive Destruction System (PCD EDS) Mission

• PCD EDS mission is to deploy two Phase 2 EDS units operating one at a time to treat the following items:

• 1) Known stockpile items that have been previously over packed (557 items)

• 2) Estimated numbers of leakers, rejects, and contaminated bursters that will be identified during PCAPP operations (806 items)

• Operations will be campaigned starting with over packed items, followed by 155mm projectiles, 105 mm projectiles, and 4.2” mortars and contaminated bursters. A temporary closure of the PCD EDS site is planned between each campaign.

• EDS Workload Summary– 546 existing over packs– 187 new leakers– 539 rejects– 11 DOT cylinders– 80 explosive bursters

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EDS Technology: EDS Description

• Total Containment Blast Chamber, trailer mounted consisting of the following subsystems:– Trailer– Containment Vessel– Explosive Opening– Steam Heating – Rotary Agitation– Reagent Supply– Waste Handling– Electrical

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Operators place the item in the

munition holder.

Linear-shaped charges are attached along the munition body

and the item is placed in the munition holder (up to 6 pack).

Operators slide the munition holder into the

vessel.

Operators remotely detonate the linear shaped charges to access the munition body and destroy

explosives.

Once neutralization chemicals are added, the vessel is heated with

steam and rotated to mix the contents. A liquid sample is collected to verify

treatment goal ( less than 50 ppm) has been met prior to draining.

The vessel is closed and sealed.

Next water rinse is added, steam heated, rotated, and drained. An air

sample is collected to verify treatment goal has been met prior to opening

door and removing scrap metal.

EDS Technology: How It Works

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Explosive Destruction System (EDS)

Pine Bluff Explosive Destruction System EDS inside of Environmental Enclosure

• The EDS operates inside of an environmental enclosure that provides heat, air conditioning, and carbon filtered exhaust air. Personnel entry and exit is accomplished through the

Personnel Decontamination Station (PDS)

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EDS Operations - Vessel Door

Two Piece EDS Clamp (P2R)

Three Piece EDS Clamp (P2A)

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Overhead View of Three EDS Site Layout at Pine Bluff Arsenal

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Photograph of Three EDS Site Configuration at Pine Bluff Arsenal

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EDS – Chemical Munitions Destruction Experience

• 2001 - 2012 Rocky Mountain Arsenal, CO; Camp Sibert, AL; Spring Valley, DC; Dover Air Force Base, DE; Dugway Proving Ground, UT; Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD– Numerous munitions types containing agents GB, VX, HS, HD, HN3, CG,

and CK

• 2006-2010 Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR– 1,227 chemical munitions destroyed including German Traktor Rockets,

4.2” mortars, 155, 105, and 75mm projectiles, 100 lb bombs, and miscellaneous munitions containing CG, HS, HD, HN3, and several arsenic based compounds

• Total number of munitions and other chemical agent items destroyed in an EDS is 1,792

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EDS – Advanced Fragment Suppression System

• In 2009, the Army fielded the Advanced Fragment Suppression System (AFSS) which protects the interior of the EDS vessel and greatly reduces

the amount of solid waste generated from each operation. During initial use to destroy 59 German Traktor Rockets, solid waste was

reduced by 12.5 tons

• 0

AFSS inside the EDS - BeforeAFSS inside the EDS - After

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155mm 6-Pack EDS Testing

• In 2011, the Army developed hardware and successfully conducted non-agent EDS testing using six 155mm projectiles

155mm projectiles after processing155mm projectiles ready to load

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Universal Munition Storage Container (UMSC)

• Purpose: Create a storage container to over pack leaking munitions that can then be processed in the EDS without opening

UMSC is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Container designed for processing in EDS Increases operator safety treating leakers Reduces level of personnel protective

equipment Reduces processing time because it is not

opened Lightweight – reduces operator handling

hazards Inexpensive

• HDPE end cap is thermally heat welded to HDPE tube using off the shelf technology

• Will allow for three- and six-pack munition destruction configurations

Indexing Tab

Spring Steel

V-shaped cradle

Strap tabs

HDPE end cap

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3. Sheet metal fixture created from a single sheet of steel used to hold three UMSCs at a time

2. Cradled munition is placed in modified Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) plastic fusion machine to insert cradle into UMSC

and thermally heat-weld end caps

1. Munition is secured in v-shaped cradle with straps with flat end of

munition against spring steel

4. Indexing feature in end caps line up with tabs in sheet metal

fixture

5. Fully assembled UMSC three-pack configuration keeps

munitions contained and closest to linear shape charges.

6. Two three-pack fixtures can be loaded back-to-back to accomplish destruction of

six munitions at a time

UMSC Process Flow

Linear Shape Charges

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Post Shot 3 Pack 4.2”

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Improvements Being Incorporated into EDS units for PCD EDS

• Tested EDS Improvements result in reducing operational time from 36 hours to 10 hours:

• Improved valves - Quarter turn ball valves- Larger throat for faster draining and filling

• Larger pump and hose for quick transfer of liquids

• Steam heating for rapid heating of fill- Current heating time is 1 to 2 hours; Steam

heating time is 20 minutes

• New three-piece clamp and closure system- Automated closing system- Faster opening and closing time

• Cold water injection cooling- Current cooling time is 12 hours; New cooling

time is 30 minutes

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EDS Operations – P2R Concept Drawing

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EDS Operations –P2A Concept Drawing

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Conclusion

.

The testing described in this briefing will allow the PCD EDS to destroy the over packed munitions, rejects, and leakers identified by the ACWA Program in a safe and efficient manner that is protective of human health (workers and

residents), and the environment.

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For Information on the Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Project

Steven Bird – PCD EDS Project Lead, NSCMPPhone – 410.436.4577

steve.bird@us.army.mil

For More Information