DCD workers provide expertise for Kentucky
burner counterparts

A group of Deseret Chemical Depot (DCD) workers recently provided
specialized expertise to the U.S. Army’s Blue Grass Chemical Depot in
Kentucky when a unique challenge arose.

Bradley Lindsay, acting supervisor of DCD’s Chemical Storage Division, led
the six-person team to Kentucky in response to a call for help in the
“changeover” of a bulk container holding approximately 170 gallons of GB
nerve agent, according to a press release. The container of GB (sarin) is
the only one of its type in the Blue Grass depot’s stockpile, and is slated
for disposal using a neutralization process during Blue Grass’s future
chemical stockpile disposal program.

The changeout operation called for replacing the container’s deteriorating
valves and plugs with five new steel plugs, a procedure members of DCD’s
team had performed many times in the past at the Army’s chemical stockpile
site here in Utah. The DCD GB Valve and Plug Changeout Operation began in
1985 and was completed in 1998. A total of 5,649 GB bulk containers were
changed out prior to shipment to the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility
for destruction. With their experience and their knowledge of problems that
could arise during the process, this team was the Army’s best choice for the
job, the release stated.

Once in Kentucky, the group of chemical experts carefully choreographed and
practiced all the steps involved, then followed up with an Operational
Readiness Review (ORR) where the process was rehearsed once again. All
personnel addressed possible worst-case scenarios and the DCD team’s two
emergency responders, Skot Brown and Migual Caughlan, stood ready in case
they were needed.

“The ORR ensured the equipment and the personnel would meet all requirements
of the procedure,” said Mike Bennett, Chemical Operations Officer of DCD’s
Chemical Operations. “Safety always is our priority.”

The main piece of equipment the group used was a specialized glove box
referred to as Army Peculiar Equipment or APE. Workers at Tooele Army Depot
built the APE and shipped it to Blue Grass for the changeout.

The DCD team worked within the glove box to contain any possible leaks.
Three plugs successfully threaded their way into the container; however, two
did not. According to Lindsay, the threads on the container had been damaged
by chemicals and the plugs would not fit tightly. Their temporary fix was to
insert expanding rubber plugs to seal the container until a permanent
solution was found. Workers then set the container with the problem plugs
facing upward to prevent leaks.

“I have nothing but praise for this team, which also included Cherie
Bigelow, Randy Castelar, Kevin Johnson and Jerry Wickham,” Lindsay said.
“They all were very professional and they executed the operation exactly as
outlined according to training and procedures. They even suggested possible
solutions for the problem plugs.”

Earlier this month, Blue Grass officials determined the safest fix for the
problem container was to empty the chemical agent into two new containers
that workers then placed into a filtered storage igloo along with the
original. Blue Grass technicians will regularly monitor the containers until
the agent is destroyed during future operations.

In the meantime, the DCD team will stand ready when called upon to offer
their specialized expertise.