Surrogate burns in deactivation furnace system

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Waste Management

Background:

• The Deseret Chemical Depot utilized a deactivation furnace system for munitions containing nerve and mustard agents.
• Installation of the system occurred between 1989 and 1993.
• Regulatory approval required trial burns with surrogate chemicals before processing actual agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the performance and efficiency of the deactivation furnace system.
• To validate the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) using surrogate chemicals.
• To ensure compliance with environmental regulations set by the Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste (UDSHW).

Main Methods:

• Selected monochlorobenzene and hexachloroethane as surrogate chemicals based on UDSHW criteria.
• Conducted three trial burn runs in October 1995.
• Sampled and analyzed gaseous emissions, liquid, and solid effluents using EPA-approved methods.

Main Results:

• The trial burns confirmed desirable destruction and removal efficiencies for the surrogate chemicals.
• The pollution abatement system achieved effective scrubbing of acid gases from chlorinated chemical incineration.
• Particulate removal efficiency exceeded regulatory requirements.

Conclusions:

• The deactivation furnace system performed effectively during surrogate trials.
• UDSHW approved the introduction of GB nerve agent based on successful surrogate burn results.
• The system is prepared for agent trial burns, indicating readiness for processing hazardous munitions.