View
42
Download
1
Category
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Presented to: Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Kentucky Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board Presented by: LTC Christopher Grice Commander, Blue Grass Chemical Activity
Citation preview
US ARMY CHEMICAL MATERIALS AGENCY
11 Dec 2012
M55 Rocket Separation Operation
Presented by: LTC Christopher GriceCommander, Blue Grass Chemical Activity
Presented to:Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Kentucky Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Agenda
Purpose/Background
Samples
Process
Planning/Oversight/Approval
Operational Safety and Security
Questions/Answer
2
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
The purpose of testing is to validate rocket propellant stability and best practices for continued safe storage and future demilitarization operations.
The benefit of performing propellant analysis is to ensure the continued safety of the workforce, community, and environment.
Chemical Materials Activity (CMA), in partnership with the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program, has directed BGCA to separate 44 M55 chemical rocket assemblies.
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) Report on M67 rocket assembly/M28 Propellant Handling, dated 21 March 2011, recommended consideration of sampling at BGCA.
ACWA intends to conduct container performance testing to support transportation of separated rocket motors for final disposal.
PurposeUNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 3
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
BGCA last conducted rocket separation operations in the 1980s. All master sample lots tested since the 1980s have indicated safe
for continued storage at BGCA. Throughout the lifecycle of the stockpile numerous rockets have
been separated without incident.
The Rocket Separation Operation has been successfully accomplished at Pine Bluff Chemical Activity and Umatilla Chemical Depot.
BackgroundUNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 4
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
BGCA will select and separate 44 M55 chemical rockets.
BGCA will minimize the amount of pallet movements to ensure the safety of the workforce and community.
Selected rockets for disassembly will be monitored and overpacked prior to movement with continuous air monitoring throughout the operation.
Processing time indicates three rounds separated each day.
SamplesUNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 5
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
De-mate Warhead from Rocket Motor
(RM)
Overpack Warhead
Return warheads to
storage
Return Rocket
Motors to Storage
Rocket Separation Process
Place Rocket Motors back in
SFT
Ship 25 Rocket motors to
ARDEC
Monitor, overpack and
Transport
Begin Rocket Separation
Receive Order to Perform Rocket
Separation
Sample Propellant and destroy RMs at
ARDEC
Store 19 Rocket Motors for ACWA until future testing
Select rocket samples
Remove from Shipping and Firing Tube
(SFT)
6
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Rocket Separation Equipment
7
APE 2097 Rocket Restraining Device
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Rocket Separation (Removal from SFT)
8
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Rocket Separation (De-mating)
9
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Level of Dress
The level of dress for this operation is Level C.
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
BGCA has started rehearsals which include:• Transportation during Chemical Accident or Incident Response
and Assistance and Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Exercises.
• Follow-on Rocket Separation exercises will occur using APE during CAIRA and Pre-op Survey prior to operations.
• Full dress rehearsals of the operation to validate the process.
Igloo modifications will not begin until KDEP issues the approved permit modification.
CMA Safety will conduct a comprehensive Pre- Operational Survey prior to conducting operations.
Planning/Oversight/ApprovalUNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 10
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
All hazards identified have been mitigated or reduced to the lowest level.
Medical response team will be on-site at all times.
1000CFM filter to be placed on igloo and low level monitoring will be conducted at all times during operations.
Rocket motor exhaust /venting system will be in place during operations
With exception of rocket separation, all other operations occur on a regular basis.
Security personnel will be present during the selection, transportation, and rocket separation operation.
Operational Safety and SecurityUNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 11
BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Questions/Comments
Closing Remarks UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 12
Recommended