Disposal of Chemical Weapons: Alternative Technologies-

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Background Paper

47

stron

5763

ID

U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment

1995

rok

Contents

Chapter l. Alternative Destruction Technologies-History and Summary 1

INTRODUCTION . 1

SUMMARY AND FINDINGS 3

Opposition to the Army’s Program . 3

Approaches to Developing Technologies . .. 4

Timing Questions . 5

Risks of Developing Alternatives . 6

Alternative Technologies 6

International Implications .10

CHAPTER 1 REFERENCES . .11

Chapter 2. The Army’s Chemical Weapons Disposal Program . 13

THE U.S. ARMY’S CHEMICAL WEAPONS STOCKPILE 13

Geography and Distribution 13

History of Chemical Weapons Disposal 16

On-Site Destruction vs. Relocation of the CW Stockpile for Off-Site Destruction . 17

Condition of the CW Stockpile-Potential of Increased Risk From CW Deterioration . 17

DISPOSAL OF THE ARMY’S CW STOCKPILE 18

The Army’s Demonstration Projects . 18

DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE CURRENT CW DISPOSAL PROGRAM . 18

Local and National Opposition . 18

Projected Program Schedule—Revised Deadlines . 20

Cost Estimates--Cost Overruns .20

INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM 20

ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FOR THE ARMY’S BASELINE PROJECT . 22

CHAPTER PREFERENCES 23

Chapter 3. Current Technology and Alternatives 25

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY . .25

The Army’s CW Disassembly and Incineration Technology . 25

EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES . 25

Chemical Neutralization . 26

Supercritical Water Oxidation . 27

Steam Gasification .

Plasma Arc Pyrolysis 27

Improved Interim Continued Storage-The CW Demilitarization Alternative . 28

Alternatives Involving Transportation and Relocation of the CW Stockpile . 28

CHAPTER PREFERENCES 29

Appendix A. Selected Chemical Weapon Destruction Techniques 31

Appendix B. U.S. Army Risk Assessment for Off-Site Transportation of Chemical Weapons 36

Appendix C. Summary of the Chemical Weapons Workshop . 39