EG&G Gets $181.3M to Close CAMDS at Deseret Chemical Depot

Chemical weapons disposal
(click to view full)

EG&G Defense Materials, a division of URS Corp., in Tooele, UT received a $181.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Phase 2 chemical agent munitions disposal system (CAMDS) closure as well as CAMDS & Deseret Chemical Depot secondary waste and nerve gas tabun (GA)/Lewisite disposal.

The US Army’s CAMDS, located at Deseret Chemical Depot, ceased chemical munitions disposal in 2005. Initial closure activities were carried out by the Tennessee Valley Authority, who was replaced by private contractor EG&G Defense Materials.

The closure process is currently in phase II, with equipment already removed from the buildings. More detailed closure plans are being written for CAMDS and final closure is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2012…

According to a report by the National Academies, the main challenges associated with CAMDS closure stem from its age, its use as a pilot facility, and the site having many interconnected buildings and common utility services whose closure requires careful staging.

The report also noted that the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, also located at the Deseret Chemical Depot, is being shutdown as well. Tooele is still active, and expects to continue to destroy mustard gas and ton containers into 2011. A detailed closure plan is expected in June 2010. EG&G is also the contractor for the Tooele closure.

Prior to closure, the CAMDS tested reverse assembly incineration technology for chemical weapon disposal. Reverse assembly dismantles the munition in the “reverse” order it was manufactured and incinerates the components. Typically, the munition casing, chemical agent, and the energetic material is incinerated separately.

CAMDS dismantled and incinerated chemical munitions using 3 types of incinerator technology for its different components:

• The liquid incinerator (LIC) is used to destroy liquid chemical agents and spent decontamination solutions. The LIC is equipped with a primary and secondary combustion chamber and a pollution abatement system.

• The metal parts furnace (MPF) treats drained projectiles and bulk items contaminated by chemical agents. No explosives are fed to the MPF. The MPF is a direct-fired roller hearth furnace with an afterburner followed by a pollution abatement system.
• The deactivation furnace system (DFS) incinerates rockets and mines, including fuses, explosives, and propellants from other munitions. The DFS includes a rotary kiln, a cyclone, and an afterburner followed by a pollution abatement system.

  For the CAMDS closure, EG&G will perform the work in Tooele, UT, with an estimated completion date of July 30/15. Army Contracting CMD-Rock Island Contracting Center in Rock Island, IL manages the contract (DACA97-89-C-0076).