Disposal Options for the Rocket Motors From Nerve Agent Rockets Stored at Blue Grass Army Depot (2012) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 7-12
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From page 7... ...
The stockpile stored at BGAD consists of 523 tons of mustard agent in projectiles and nerve agents GB and VX in projectiles and rockets. The chemical agent loads in the weapons will be destroyed by chemical neutralization.1 In the neutralization process, the munitions are disassembled, the agents and energetic materials are separated, and the agents are neutralized with caustic (for GB, VX, and energetic materials, such as bursters)
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From page 8... ...
The rocket cutting machine will then make a second cut at the threaded connection between the warhead and the rocket motor. The intact warhead containing the chemical agent, burster, and fuze will be destroyed at BGCAPP by neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation, as discussed above.
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From page 9... ...
Aft end cap Shipping and with bail Rocket motor case Inhibitor layer M28 propellant grain firing tube Electric firing connect Fin/nozzle assembly Anti-resonance rod Igniter Fore closure for igniter FIGURE 1-3 Simplified layout of a separated rocket motor showing its major components. BGCAPP has identified the disposal of the separated rocket motors as a potentially rate-limiting factor that could affect the overall rate of M55 rocket disposal at BGCAPP.
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From page 10... ...
Options are needed to address issues of storage, throughput, transportation, and the treatment that will be required to dispose of the roughly 3,350 separated rocket motors that BGCAPP plans to generate each month.3 STATEMENT OF TASK The National Research Council will establish an ad hoc committee to address these specific tasks: Investigate off-site and on-site alternative options for disposal of approximately 70,000 M55 rocket motors stored at Blue Grass Army Depot that are not contaminated by chemical nerve agent contained in the rocket warheads Review and examine the status of maturity and assess the likelihood of success for each option Consider the feasibility of recycling options for the propellant and rocket motor components Assess relevant environmental considerations, including those pertaining to the health and safety of workers, and regulatory requirements such as those stemming from applicable Kentucky Revised Statutes and RCRA regulations Examine shipping considerations for implementation of off-site alternatives, including packaging requirements THE COMMITTEE, REPORT SCOPE, AND PROCESS The committee is composed of persons who have extensive experience in solid rockets, energetic materials, munitions disposal, hazardous wastes, safety, and public involvement. Several committee members have expertise pertinent to the regulations governing the transport and disposal of various types of munitions and associated hazardous materials.
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From page 11... ...
Chapter 5 presents some of the specific issues that BGCAPP project management will need to consider when selecting the most appropriate location for disposal of the separated rocket motors. On-site disposal options reviewed by the committee include open burning of the propellant grain at the BGAD permitted explosive hazardous-waste treatment facility; using the D-100 detonation chamber currently operational at BGAD; using alternative technologies, such as explosive destruction technologies, which can be added to BGAD capabilities; and disposal at BGCAPP after completion of all chemical agent destruction operations.
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From page 12... ...
Army Chemical Materials Agency4 and the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives5 program have historically been heavily influenced by public sentiment. The concerns of citizens near BGAD, along potential transportation routes, and near potential off-site disposal locations are therefore going to be important in consideration of any decision about the choice of a technology or option (whether on-site or off-site)
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