The Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility completed mass demolition of the last major facility component Oct. 13, using controlled explosive felling technology to demolish the Pollution Abatement System structure. This activity marks the successful completion of a major closure milestone for the facility.
"The pollution abatement structure consists of three buildings," said Mark Greer, PBCDF Site Project Manager. "The first component that was demolished on Monday (Oct. 8) housed the afterburner and cyclone. The second building component that was demolished on Thursday (Oct. 11) consisted of scrubbers and pumps. The final component was the actual stack."
A specialty subcontractor experienced with explosive technology was hired to bring down the PAS structure under the direction of PBCDF Systems Contractor, URS Corp. The PBCDF Field Office coordinated efforts with the PBA in order to maintain a safe and secure environment during explosive operations.
"These safe and environmentally sound operations are conducted to ensure an efficient turnover of the site to the Arsenal," said Greer.
Chemical weapons disposal operations began at Pine Bluff Arsenal in March 2005, with the GB nerve-agent filled rockets. The second disposal campaign, VX nerve-agent filled rockets, ended February 2008; and the third disposal campaign, VX nerve-agent filled landmines, ended June 2008. Mustard agent-filled ton containers were the fourth and final disposal campaign. Ton-container disposal operations began in December 2008 and were completed November 2010 beginning the closure status at the facility.
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