Characterization Of Explosives Contamination at Munitions Manufacturing Facilities.Pdf Adobe Acrobat Professional

1. Characterization of Military Munitions Manufacturing Facilities 2007 UXO Forum Orlando, Florida 1 2. Characterization Goals - Managing Risk • Explosives safety • Environmental and human health Energetic Materials Explosives Propellants Pyrotechnics Primary Single Base Flares Inorganic Organic Double Base Smoke Secondary Triple Base Tracers Composite Incendiaries 2 3. Policy and Guidelines • Decontamination of Facilities and Equipment (TB 700-4) • MMCX Interim Guidance (06-03), Buildings and Installed Equipment Containing Explosives Residues that Present Potential Explosion Hazards − Classify extent of residues – characterize facility − Inspect and test for explosive residues and determine if a potential hazard − Remove or reduce hazardous residues to a safe level • DoD 6055.9-STD, DoD Ammunition and Explosive Safety Standards, Chapter 16, Materials Potentially Presenting an Explosive Hazard (MPPEH) (new) − Materials documented as safe − Materials documented as to the hazard presented 3 4. Potential Hazards • Previous usage • Type material or installed equipment • Potential for residues to present an explosive hazard − Quantity − Concentration, distribution, particle size − Type explosive residues − Contained or uncontained • Unlike a typical hazardous waste site: − Risk is not hypothetical − Effects of an explosion are immediate and can be catastrophic 4 5. Infrastructure Matrix Visual or Field Test Positive Negative Historic Usage Results Results Open Uncontained Highest Professional Judgment Explosives Concern Required None or Only Fully Professional Judgment Lowest Contained Explosives Required Concern 5 6. Why Characterize? • Safety (Explosives) − Ensure worker and public safety − Allow property’s safe use − Ensure availability of infrastructure and equipment • Eliminate the potential for diversion of explosives for illicit purposes • Environmental − Facilitate transfer of real property − Comply with environmental laws and regulations − Sustain property’s use 6 7. Classify • Determine potential for explosives residues − Review historical documentation − Evaluate explosives-related operations − Conduct sampling and analysis − Use experience to identify points likely accumulate explosives • Identify locations where energetic materials were processed (e.g., opened, milled) • Determine operations that potentially generated explosives dust or vapors • Evaluate waste stream management 7 8. Specific Areas of Concern • Building features where residues could accumulate: − Internal and external piping − Voids in walls − Ventilation systems • Internal cavities of fixed equipment • Melt pour, cast loading or milling, steam-out areas • Porous surfaces, cracks, drains • Waste treatment and disposal areas • Sumps and dry wells 8 9. Typical LAP Line Explosives/Propellants Explosives Added to Shell Inert Parts Assembly& Pack Out Production Flow 9 10. TNT Manufacturing Line Waste flume Pack out Purify DNT TNT NT Toluene Production Flow 10 11. Process Analysis • Outline process flow • Compounds and physical state • Consider stability and impurities • Potential MC concentrations − Open or uncontained explosives − Vaporized explosives − Operations that generate explosive dust 11 12. Building Characteristics Escape slide Overfill pipe Drowning tub Dry Well 12 13. Inspect and Test • No quantitative criteria exist to define safe levels • Porous surfaces - assume hazard where explosive liquids or vapors were present • Non-porous surfaces - assume hazard where contamination exists on surface • Wash down of buildings redistributed contamination (e.g., cracks, drains) • Void spaces must be examined 13 14. Inspect and Test Method • Ground truth process knowledge • Examine exterior and interior for residue • Field test • Greatest level of effort needed to confirm that a building does not present an explosive or environmental hazard • Document effort and findings 14 15. Void Space Rodent nest inside wall Propellant incorporated into nesting material 15 16. Pipe Penetration • Propellant in cinder block cells •400 pounds propellant recovered 16 17. Safety Goals • Protection of public − Control access to hazardous areas − Prevent release of materials that present an explosive hazard − Educate public about hazards (3Rs) − Prevent illicit use of explosives • Protection of workers − Ensure worker qualifications − Determine where hazards exist − Identify any hazards present − Control permitted activities 17 18. Sampling and Analysis • Understand sampling goals • Use process knowledge and inspection to select locations • Sample design must consider heterogeneity • What will be analyzed for? − Will method detect the target compound? − Is detection limit low enough to support decision making? • What level of data quality is required? 18 19. Sampling Safety • Know what compounds may be present • Brief sampler on physical appearance • Limit personnel in area • Evaluate tools and need to desensitize • Some things should not be sampled • Field screen prior to shipment • Do not ship if there is any question about safety 19 20. Summary • Know the goals • Consider both safety and environmental concerns • Conduct historical research and process analysis to identify where to look and what to look for • Rely on experienced personnel -- Experience weighs heavily in evaluating where and how to look 20 21. Contact Information Plexus Scientific Corporation 9104 Guilford Road, Suite 1010 Columbia, MD 21045 Geoff Carton (410) 715-3865 x-109 [email protected] (703) 697-5061 [email protected] 21