VX waste more flammable than thought
Hydrolysate
flashpoint far below what previous tests have shown
By Patricia L. Pastore/Tribune-Star
Lab tests on VX byproduct hydrolysate reveal
the substance as far more flammable than previously believed, an Army official
says.
Last month, while VX destruction at Newport was temporarily suspended,
the Army decided to conduct laboratory analysis of the hydrolysate.
The analysis showed the flashpoint ranged between 68 and 88 degrees, said
Col. Jesse L. Barber, project manager for Alternative Technologies and Approaches
program at the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency. That temperature is
far below what other tests had shown, Barber said.
A "flashpoint" is the lowest temperature at
which the vapor of a combustible liquid can be made to ignite.
Restart of VX destruction won't occur until reviews have been completed
and the questions are answered concerning the flashpoint of the VX hydrolysate.
"These analyses show a difference from testing done at the laboratory and
the production scale," Barber said. "The independent laboratory analyses
unexpectedly showed the Newport hydrolysate has a flashpoint below 200 degrees
Fahrenheit, meaning it can be classified as flammable.
"Previous lab scale tests had shown a flash point above 200 degrees Fahrenheit,"
he said.
Barber doesn't know what is causing the results or their implications,
he said.
He learned of the flash-point problem early
Monday and immediately contacted engineers with the Army and engineers from
Science Applications International Corp. and Shaw Environmental as well as
from Parsons Technologies, the systems contractor.
"I've got my entire engineering staff looking at this," Barber said. "The
engineers are committed to make a full analysis and determine our options
so that we can reduce or eliminate the flammability factor.
"The hydrolysate produced so far is stored safely in closed and grounded
containers," Barber said. "The site is evaluating the remaining process
areas of the plant and the intermodal storage area, focusing on suitability
of static electricity control, grounding and fire protection. We believe
the existing hydrolysate is safe to store. We have the experience of storing
and handling other flammable wastes on site. However, as a precautionary
measure and to ensure maximum safety, we do not plan to transfer any hydrolysate
until the evaluation is completed and any necessary corrective actions are
implemented."
Despite the low flash point of the VX hydrolysate, there is no cause for
alarm, said Terry Arthur, an Army spokeswoman. "It needs air for combustion,"
she said. "The pipes are closed, the tanks are closed and no air is getting
to the hydrolysate. About one dozen Army and contract engineers are working
on the hydrolysate flammability issue now."
Barber said all his energy is focused on the hydrolysate flash- point issues.
"This is the No. 1 issue because it is not doing what I thought it
should do," he said.
Another problem surfaced about three weeks ago.
Just hours after the VX neutralization was suspended, about 30 gallons
of a mixture of VX, sodium hydroxide and water leaked in a contained area
while being transferred to a reactor. No one was injured and the spill was
contained in a sump in the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.
Analysis revealed a diaphragm/seal degraded on a valve.
Barber said seals and gaskets made of the same material that failed, known
as EPDM, a polymer material, have been identified in several locations within
the system.
"The site is in the process of evaluating if there is any degradation on
other parts and whether to change all of them," Barber said. "The first
of several gaskets have been removed and are being visually inspected for
signs of deterioration. Operations won't restart until these materials have
been checked and replaced as necessary."
Barber's priority remains the same, he said. "The safety and protection
of our workers, the community and the environment is our first priority in
everything we do at the Newport Chemical Depot," he said.
Patricia Pastore can be reached at
(812)231- 4271 or pat.pastore@tribstar.com.
Story created July 1, 2005 09:20:06 CDT.
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