Umatilla Chemical Depot test burns on hold

This story was published Sat, May 25, 2002

By Karen Zacharias
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON -- Today was the day Army officials hoped to begin test burns as they prepare to destroy chemical weapons materials stored at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

But problems with emissions monitoring systems remain unresolved, and no one is sure how long it will be before the tests start or how much repairs will cost.

"We'll start when it's safe to start," said Don Barclay, site project manager for the chemical demilitarization program.

The new complex includes four incinerators, each with its own emissions monitoring system.

Barclay said the depot was preparing one of two liquid incinerators to begin burn tests when the problem was discovered.

"Initial tests showed that the oxygen monitor was working fine. But the carbon monoxide monitor is creating a challenge for us," Barclay explained.

Washington Demilitarization Co. built and manages the incinerators, which will be used to destroy the stockpile of 3,717 tons of VX, sarin and mustard agents.

The Army plans to test the incinerators by burning perchloroethylene, a dry cleaning solvent, and trichlorobenzene, a degreasing agent.

The two industrial solvents are more difficult to burn than nerve agent, which makes them good test products, Barclay explained. And they don't pose the threat that comes with burning nerve agents, he added.

Barclay said a technician who specializes in the system arrived at the depot earlier this week.

"Part of the problem is that it's of matter of troubleshooting to identify what the potential issues are," Barclay said.

He said he would not set another date to begin test burns until the problem is discovered and fixed.

It's not only days, but also dollars that are at stake. Washington Demilitarization Co. has a contract that grants an award fee based on criteria that include safety, environmental practices and staying on schedule. Barclay said that fee is confidential.

"Safety is first. They are expected to have a safety record better than the normal chemical industry," Barclay said.

Moreover, he said, it would be irresponsible to allow cost concerns to override safety issues.

"That's why the Army put me here, to honor the commitment of safety to the public. It's the right thing to do," he said.

Besides, Barclay said he built some flexibility into the project schedule.

"Just in case there was any slippage, I would be able to mitigate that and stay on schedule. I'm not even close to impacting the life-cycle cost of the project," he said.

And he's optimistic the delay won't hinder the Army's schedule of burning nerve agent in February.

 

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