Development of a Partial Containment System (PCS) to Aid in the Open Air Excavation and Removal of Chemical Weapons Material
Abstract
A portable system for the capture of chemical agent gases released accidentally during the recovery of "discovered" non-explosively configured chemical warfare material has been designed, fabricated and tested at Southwest Research Institute. The system is designed specifically to support traditional trenching operations where a backhoe is employed to excavate a 4 ft wide and 4 ft deep linear trench. The system consists of two open-air exhaust hoods that are connected via 42 in. diameter duct to a "Y" containing a large exhaust fan with a 48 in. outlet duct. One hood consists of a 2 ft high by 10 ft long vertical face that is placed adjacent to the trench side during excavation. The second hood is placed horizontally over the trench, opposite the backhoe, and has a neoprene flap designed to seal off the "cleared" trench behind. The system is run continually during excavation. In the event of a release, as detected by chemical alarms or other means, the backhoe is withdrawn, and a heavy duty polyester reinforced vinyl coated shroud or "awning" is deployed over the trenched area of the release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 22, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA509695
Entities
People
- James P. Manthey
- Joseph H. Brewer
- Kirk A. Marchand
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute