Review and Evaluation of Alternative Technologies for Demilitarization of Assembled Chemical Weapons (1999) / Chapter Skim
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5 Burns and Roe Technology Package
5 Burns and Roe Technology Package
Pages 71-87
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From page 71... ...
DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE Disassembly of Munitions and the Removal of Agent/Energetics The technology provider proposes using the baseline approach to disassemble munitions and segregate the agent, energetic materials, and munition bodies.
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From page 72... ...
, one to treat pieces of rocket motors containing propellant (PWC B) , two to treat metal parts to the 5X standard (PWC C1 ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEMILITARIZATION OF ASSEMBLED CHEMICAL WEAPONS Plasma waste Pollution converters · abatement system A1 and A2 A Brine to treatment Pollution · abatement system Brine to treatment · 5X metals to off-site facility Pollution abatement system B Brine to treatment _ 5X metals to off-site facility Pollution · abatement system · Brine to treatment Gas to hold-test-release system (may be burned in boiler)
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From page 73... ...
. The temperature of the exit gas for the PWC is Air infiltration \, 1 Mixed bulk gases Rae Chemical agent and steam Plasma feed gas ~1,100°C product gas (Ar, CO2, or N2)
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From page 74... ...
consisting of four major components: · a vertical down-flow duct with water/caustic spray to quench the gas · a countercurrent, multistage acid-gas scrubber with vertical upward gas flow and gravity-driven, . downward flow of scrubbing liquid · a mist eliminator a cartridge filter for the removal of fine particulates Upon exiting the PAS, the product gas enters a holdtest-release system consisting of a compressor, a condenser, and storage tanks.
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From page 75... ...
This gas is then sampled and analyzed for chemical agent using both ACAMS and DAAMS agent monitors. Feed Streams In addition to the munitions and packing materials, the following materials are fed to the system: · the plasma feed gas, which acts as the plasma medium to the PWCs (argon was specified in the technology provider's proposal; N2 and CO2 are being used in the demonstration unit)
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From page 76... ...
Fine particulates are removed by a cartridge product gasi,822 filter. (A venturi scrubber is included in the demonstra- Outputs from PAS for PWC Bb lion system for particulate removal, just prior to the product gasi,036 packed tower [Burns and Roe, 1998b]
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From page 77... ...
The technology provider estimates that once the vessel reaches the desired temperature, steady operation at capacity can be achieved in approximately five minutes. Upon shutdown, the weapons material feed is stopped, the steam flow is cut off, the power to the torch is turned off, and the plasma feed gas flow is stopped.
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From page 78... ...
The plasma arc is created in an enclosed torch through which only the plasma feed gas (e.g., argon, N2, or CO2) flows.
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From page 79... ...
, compared to a plasma feed gas flow rate of approximately 20 SCFM and a PWC total gas outflow on the order of 140 SCFM (Burns and Roe, 1998b)
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From page 80... ...
For example, the power requirements will vary with the plasma feed gas. Electrode wear may also depend on the type of gas, and the composition of the product gas will certainly vary.
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From page 81... ...
The PWC tested was a refractory-lined stainless steel vessel sized to process 25 lb/hr of material. It was equipped with a 50 kW to 100 kW, nontransferred, water-cooled DC torch, and the plasma feed gas was argon.
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From page 82... ...
Public Safety A substantial amount of flammable gas will have to be stored, whether the product gas is burned on site or shipped off site. A large explosion or deflagration involving this gas could cause an on-site hazard and, potentially, an off-site hazard from the direct thermal effects or overpressure forces.
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From page 83... ...
The committee is concerned that a PAS designed for fully oxidized gas may not be as effective for gas generated under reducing conditions in the PWCs. Whether reducing conditions exist will depend on the plasma feed gas.
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From page 84... ...
Testing should be done with the specific plasma feed gas proposed for the full-scale system. Eff/uent Management Strategy The strategy for effluent management proposed by the technology provider is designed to eliminate all liquid discharges and hazardous-waste discharges.
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From page 85... ...
The regulatory definition of an incinerator includes plasma-based treatment systems that burn waste with oxygen in enclosed chambers or uses afterburners. In the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 260.10 Definitions, a plasma or incinerator is defined as "any enclosed device using a high intensity electrical discharge or arc as a source of heat followed by an afterburner using controlled flame combustion and which is not listed as an industrial furnace." Because boilers are industrial furnaces, the proposed configuration would probably not be interpreted as an incinerator unless oxygen is used as the plasma feed gas.
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From page 86... ...
3. Conduct a thorough analysis of the product gas generated from each PWC using the plasma feed gas proposed for full-scale operation.
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From page 87... ...
Because different plasma feed gases have different thermodynamic and chemical properties, the choice of the plasma feed gas could have a significant impact on the performance of the system. For example, the electrical power requirements will be determined, in part, by the plasma feed gas.
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