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Evaluation of Demonstration Test Results of Alternative Technologies for Demilitarization of Assembled Chemical Weapons A Supplemental Review (2000) / Chapter Skim
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2 Burns and Roe Plasma Arc Process
Pages 6-11

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From page 6...
... : Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed energetics destruction strategy using the integrated EDC demonstration unit and PWC system for high explosives and the PWC system for M28 propellant. Validate that the integrated EDC and PWC unit operations can achieve a destruction and removal efficiency (DRE)
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From page 7...
... The average fuel value of the PCG exceeded 100 Btu/scf in only one of the six mixed dunnage test runs. In several runs, the measurement technique for fuel value failed; in others, the measured average fuel value was very low.
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From page 8...
... However, demonstration tests with neat chemical agents will be required to determine specific operational conditions, such as proper control of oxygen and steam, before pilot-scale evaluations can proceed. These tests will be particularly important for determining the formation of by-products, which is dictated by the materials processed, the stoichiometry for oxygen, steam, and carbon, and temperature conditions.
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From page 9...
... Without this exemption, the PCG synfuel could not be used in boilers without a RCRA/CAA hazardous waste combustor permit subject to boiler and industrial furnace rules (the so-called "BIF rules". The demonstration tests revealed several potential problems with PCG meeting the Comparable/Syngas Fuel Exclusion.
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From page 10...
... A comparison of the hazardous waste combustion rules with the thermal oxidizer emissions data indicates that the combustion of PCG would not meet some standards, when corrected to the standard 7 percent oxygen, (e.g., the cadmium-plus-lead emission for the system configuration used in the demonstration tests for M28 propellants, mixed dunnage, and VX hydrolysate)
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From page 11...
... The committee believes a properly configured and operated plasma arc process would be a robust, indiscriminant thermal process capable of destroying chemical agents. However, on the basis of observations during two site visits to plasma arc installations (Ontario Hydro Technologies, Toronto, Ontario, and Aberdeen Providing Ground, Maryland)
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Key Terms

  • chemical agents
  • plasma feed
  • technology provider
  • feed gas
  • plasma arc

  • hazardous waste
  • mixed dunnage
  • fuel value
  • plasma torch
  • demonstration unit

  • chemical agent
  • thermal oxidizer
  • pwc unit
  • fuel exclusion
  • unit operation

  • demonstration test
  • waste combustion
  • btu value
  • assembled chemical
  • edc demonstration

  • test runs
  • arc process
  • average fuel
  • secondary waste
  • administrative controls

  • cooling water
  • destroy chemical
  • technology package
  • power requirements
  • unit operations


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