VX Byproduct from Newport Disposal Might Be Reduced

Increasing the rate at which VX nerve agent is neutralized at the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Indiana could reduce the amount of wastewater from the process by 1 million gallons, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, April 7).

Using hot water and sodium hydroxide in chemical reactors to neutralize 250,000 gallons of VX has been estimated to create up to 4 million gallons of hydrolysate byproduct.

However, contractor Parsons Technology believes it can double the amount of VX in each reactor load, AP reported. Work is set to begin next month at 8 percent weight load, but should before long move up to 16 percent, said Army Col. Jesse Barber, project manager.

“Using 16 percent, we will reduce the amount of hydrolysate [to] 2 1/2 to 3 million gallons,” he said

The byproduct will be stored at Newport until a disposal plan is approved (Associated Press, April 11).

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