Review and evaluation of alternative chemical disposal technologies / Panel on Review and Evaluation of Alternative Chemical Disposal Technologies, Board on Army Science and Technology, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Panel on Review and Evaluation of Alternative Chemical Disposal Technologies.

National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Army Science and Technology.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chemical weapons disposal--United States.

Chemical weapons disposal.

Chemical agents (Munitions).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (272 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Alternative chemical disposal technologies

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1996.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In 1994 the National Research Council published Recommendations for the Disposal of Chemical Agents and Munitions , which assessed the status of various alternative destruction technologies in comparison to the Army's baseline incineration system. The volume's main finding was that no alternative technology was preferable to incineration but that work should continue on the neutralization technologies under Army consideration. In light of the fact that alternative technologies have evolved since the 1994 study, this new volume evaluates five Army-chosen alternatives to the baseline incineration system for the disposal of the bulk nerve and mustard agent stored in ton containers at Army sites located in Newport, Indiana, and Aberdeen, Maryland, respectively. The committee assessed each technology by conducting site visits to the locations of the technology proponent companies and by meeting with state regulators and citizens of the affected areas. This volume makes recommendations to the Army on which, if any, of the five technologies has reached a level of maturity appropriate for consideration for pilot-scale testing at the two affected sites.

Contents:

Review and Evaluation of Alternative Chemical Disposal Technologies

Copyright

Preface

Contents

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Executive Summary

THE ALTTECH PANEL

EVALUATING THE ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND STATE REGULATORS

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

General Findings

Specific Findings and Recommendations

HD at Aberdeen

VX at Newport

1 Introduction

THE CALL FOR DISPOSAL

DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCKPILE

Agents

Containers and Munitions

Geographical Distribution

ROLE OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

SCOPE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

REPORT ORGANIZATION

2 Evaluation Factors

PROCESS EFFICACY

Technology Status

Capacity to Detoxify Agent

Gases

Liquids

Solids

Satisfaction of Treaty Requirements

Satisfaction of Environmental and Other Regulatory Requirements

Management of Process Residuals

Process Stability, Reliability, and Robustness

Process Monitoring

Energy and Natural Resource Requirements

Scale-Up Requirements

Applicability for Treating Other Wastes

PROCESS SAFETY

In-Plant Safety and Health Risks

Risk to Community Safety, Health, and the Environment

Risk Assessments prior to the Pilot-Testing Decision

SCHEDULE

ROLE OF EVALUATION FACTORS IN THE STUDY

3 Framework for Assessing Alternative Technologies

FRAMEWORK FOR THE QUESTIONNAIRES

OFF-SITE TRANSPORT, STORAGE, AND PROCESSING OF PROCESS RESIDUALS

4 Catalytic Extraction Process Technology

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Technology Overview

Chemical Demilitarization Process

SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES

Dissociation and Reaction of Tuyere-Injected Materials

Catalysis by the Bath and the Formation of Intermediates

Partitioning of Products among Metal, Slag, and Gas Phases

Process Modeling

Conclusions on the Underlying Science.

TECHNOLOGY STATUS

Fall River Demonstration Unit

Oak Ridge Facilities

Agent Testing

Summary of Technology Status

Panel Summary of Technology Status

PROCESS OPERATION

Process Description

Agent Detoxification

Residual Agent

Reversibility of Reactions to Reform Agent

Toxicity of Process Residuals

Cleaning Out Ton Containers

Operational Modes

Startup and Shutdown

CPU-2 Operation

Feed Streams

Agent

Metal

Gas Storage Units

Decontamination Solution

Pretreatment Requirements

Residual Streams

Mass Balance

Nonprocess Wastes

Off-Site Shipping and Processing Options

INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

Bath Temperature Control

Bath Composition Control

Monitoring Bath Level

Monitoring Containment

Monitoring Residual Streams

Monitoring Synthesis Gas prior to Combustion

Air in the Containment Building

STABILITY, RELIABILITY, AND ROBUSTNESS

Stability

Reliability

Performance Record

Backup Systems

Robustness

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION

Systems and Materials

Materials Specifications

Welding Specifications

Stress Relief

Weld Inspection

Environmental Chemistry and Conditions

Nominal Internal Environmental Conditions

Nominal External Environments

Crevices, Surface, and Bottom Deposits

Heat Transfer Surfaces, Heat Fluxes, and Crevice Geometries at Tube Supports

Startup and Shutdown Procedures

Deoxygenating and Heating Rate on Startup

Design Life of the Process Equipment

Qualification and Testing of Materials of Construction

Potential Failure Modes for Materials and Components

Monitoring and Inspection

Inspection Frequency, Locations, and Observations

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Operational Safeguards

Failure and Hazards Analysis

Maintenance.

Routine Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance Manuals and Procedures

Documented Record of Performance

Downtime Experience

UTILITY REQUIREMENTS

SCALE-UP REQUIREMENTS

Equipment Scale-Up

Front End and Back End Equipment

CPU Equipment

Performance Scale-Up

Front End and Back End Performance

CPU Performance

Testing Agent Surrogates in CEP

Testing Actual Agent in CEP

UNIT OPERATIONS

Safety Issues Related to Off Site Releases

Worker Safety Issues

Specific Characteristics that Reduce Risk Inherent in the Design

5 Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation Silver II

TECHNOLOGY STATUS

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Process Operations

Compositional Changes during Normal Operation

Water Management System

NOx Reformer

Catholyte Silver Nitrate Recovery Circuit

Anolyte Offgas Condenser

Combined Offgas Treatment Circuit

Silver Management System

Energy Requirements

Process Effluent Streams

PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

PROCESS STABILITY, RELIABILITY, AND ROBUSTNESS

Environmental Conditions and Chemistry

Failure Definition

Operational Experience

Maintenance

Plant Safety and Health Risks

Community Safety, Health, and Environmental Risks

6 Gas-Phase Chemical Reduction Technology

Feed-Destruction Chemistry

Reactor Effluent Scrubbing

Energy Balance

Process Residuals.

Ton Container Treatment

Materials and Energy Balance

Process Residual Streams

Bulk Agent

PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS

Environmental Definition

Materials to be Used

Design Features

Modes of Degradation

Failure Modes

Operations

Utility Requirements

Off-Site Safety Issues

Hydrogen and Other Combustible Gases

Decontamination of Ton Containers in the SBV

Design of the Reactor Vessel

7 Neutralization Technology for Mustard Agent HD

BACKGROUND TO PROCESS CONFIGURATIONS

Hydrolysis of HD

Biodegradation of Hydrolysate

Laboratory-Scale Tests

Bench-Scale Tests

Off-Site Biodegradation Options

Treatment of VOCs

Drainage, Clean-Out, Packaging, and Off-Site Shipment of Ton Containers

Agent Storage System

Neutralization Systems

VOC Stripping

Biological Treatment of Hydrolysate

Water Recycling

Agent Detoxification and Consistency of Standards

Process Flow Diagrams and Overall Mass and Energy Balances

Emergency Startup and Shutdown

Reagents and Feed Streams

Neutralization

Biotreatment

Waste Solidification

SCALE-UP REQUIREMENTS.

Bench Scale to Pilot Plant

Pilot Plant to Full-Scale Facility

Specific Characteristics that Reduce Inherent Risk of Design

8 Neutralization Technology for Nerve Agent VX

Alkaline Hydrolysis

In Situ Neutralization

Mass and Energy Balances

Draining, Cleaning, Packaging, and Shipping Ton Containers

Neutralization Reaction

Biodegradation

Handling Ton Containers

Processing Ton Containers

Reliability and Robustness

Bench Scale to Pilot Plant

Agent Neutralization

Hydrolysate Oxidation

9 Community and Environmental Regulator Views Concerning the Alternative Technologies

BACKGROUND AND APPROACH

PUBLIC FORUMS

Context

Issues Common to Communities at Both Sites

Public Health and Safety and the Environment

Opposition to the Baseline System

Closed-Loop or Batch Process

Low Temperature and Pressure

Facility after Stockpile Destruction

Schedule Driven by Safety, Not External Commitments

Public Involvement in Decisions and Oversight

Appropriate Role for Cost Control

Specific Concerns of the Newport Community

Specific Concerns of the Aberdeen Community

Consider Shipping Off Site for Final Treatment

Toxicological Evaluation of Alternatives Needed

PANEL MEETINGS WITH THE CACS.

Meeting with the Chair of the Indiana CAC.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-192).

ISBN:

9786610191895

9780309175500

030917550X

9781280191893

1280191899

9780309553094

0309553091

OCLC:

42330473