East Oregonian
February 8, 2003

Surrogate trial burn tests near completion

UMATILLA -- The first of 12 sampling runs for the surrogate test burns in Liquid Incinerator One were completed this week, according to officials at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

Testing resumed last week after delays caused by mechanical problems during the initial surrogate trial burn tests. A software glitch caused the loss of instrument displays that indicate temperature and pressure. The instrument has since been replaced.

The next system scheduled to undergo shakedown testing is the deactivation furnace system.

A surrogate trial burn mimics the operating conditions under which the chemical weapons stored at the Depot will be destroyed. The materials used in the surrogate trial burns include two industrial chemicals in both liquid and solid form and 10 heavy metals. The same testing process will be repeated later this year using chemical warfare agent for each furnace and related systems.

Testing activities continue on the second liquid incinerator, the metal parts furnace, the brine reduction area and the processing lines.

Results of the surrogate burn will become part of the plant's official record with the state Department of Environmental Quality. If testing continues to produce successful results, the facility could start test burns of chemical weapons agent as soon as this summer.