Carbon Filtration for Reducing Emissions from Chemical Agent Incineration

This report reviews the Army's evaluation of carbon filters for use in the baseline incineration PAS, as well as the Army's change management process (the Army's tool for evaluating major equipment and operational changes to disposal facilities). In preparing this report, members of the Stockpile Committee evaluated exhaust gas emissions testing at the two operating baseline incineration systems, JACADS and the TOCDF; evaluated the development of the dilute SOPC carbon filter simulation model; and evaluated the conceptual design of a modified PAS with an activated carbon filter. The two major risk assessments conducted for each continental disposal site that use the baseline system, namely, (1) the quantitative risk assessment, which evaluates the risks and consequences of accidental agent releases, and (2) the health risk assessment, which evaluates the potential effects of nonagent emissions on human health and the environment, were also examined. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction and Background 2 Trace Gaseous Emissions from Agent Incineration 3 Controlling Trace Organics with Passive Activated Carbon Filters 4 Facility Design with a Carbon Filter System 5 Risk Assessments and Change Management: An Evaluation of the Army's Decision-Making Process 6 Findings and Recommendations References Appendix A Reports of the Committee on Review and Evaluation of the Army Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program (Stockpile Committee) Appendix B Consolidated Exhaust Gas Characteristics for the JACADS and TOCDF Baseline Incineration Systems Appendix C Commercial Application of Carbon Bed Filters to Combustion Sources Appendix D Theoretical Modeling of Adsorption Appendix E Adsorption Separations: Alternative Modes of Operation Appendix F Alternative Flue Gas Cleaning Systems for Substances of Potential Concern Appendix G Biographical Sketches of Committee Members