Analyzing the Thermodynamic Impact in the

Chemical Demilitarization Plant Thermal

Treatment Process

YoChan Kim

Bechtel National Inc.

September 24th, 2008

Background & Objectives

BGCAPP FOAK is a plant that is the first

of kind design to decontaminate VX nerve

agents from carbon steel munitions.

For the final neutralization process,

munitions are placed in the furnace for the

thermal treatment.

Design challenge is to make sure all of

munitions must be heated to minimum

process heating temp requirement design

CFD analysis with visual aid tool, Ensight,

the actual coldest spot and overall heat

distribution of munitions can be identified.

The CFD results are compared with the

actual experiment results.

Introduction to the MPT

The MPT is essentially an oxygen

depleted, superheated steam

purged autoclave-like device

It is designed to decontaminate a

chemical agent inside steel

munitions bodies using a thermal

treatment process.

The chamber's energy source is a

pair of external induction coils that

heat the outer surface of the

Inconel shell.

What is VX Agent ?

O-ethyl-S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothiolate

http://movie.naver.com/movie/bi/pop/slide.nhn?menu=movie&code=17135&pos=17

outlet pipe steam inlet pipe

munitions

holding finstray

outlet door inlet door

Geometry

Computational Mesh

Mesh is generated by ICEM CFD, the CFD analysis is

conducted with AcuSolve, and Ensight is used for the visual aid

Munition Identification

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Tray and Inlet Design Parameters

single-blade fin tray

cross-blade fin tray

single inlet

multiple inlet

Cutplane Temperature Distribution (center of Munition #6 and 3.5 inch above the

nose)

minimum temperature

location

minimum temperature

location

Minimum Temperature Location

t = 75 min

1000 ˚F

1025 ˚F

Minimum Temperature Location

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Temperature Locations (multiple inlet, single-blade fin)

1st (1002 ˚F)

2nd (1032 ˚F)

3rd (1036 ˚F)

The Minimum Temperature Location(muntion #6 and 3.5 inch above the nose)

#3

#2

#6

#7

#11

#10

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Temperature Locations (single inlet, single-blade fin)

#3

#2

#6

#7

#11

#10

1st (991 ˚F)

2nd (1030 ˚F)

3rd (1034 ˚F)

The Minimum Temperature Location(muntion #6 and 3.5 inch above the nose)

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Temperature Locations (single inlet, cross-blade fin)

#3

#2

#6

#7

#11

#10

The Minimum Temperature Location(muntion #6 and 3.5 inch above the nose)

1st (997 ˚F)

3rd (1044 ˚F)

2nd (1023 ˚F)

#6

Side View

•The cold spots of munitions are #6, #7, and #3 respectively

•All of cold spots are 4 inch from nose about 1 inch radius mechanical

deigns of tray affect the process performance

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Time [min]

Min

imu

m T

em

pe

ratu

re [

°F]

crosse-blade fin design with single inlet

single-blade fin design with single inlet

single-blade fin design with multiple inlet

Minimum Temperature Heat-up

#6

#14

2.5 inch from the flat base

3.5 inch from the nose

Validation Study (TC Locations)

Comparison with Experiments at Munition #14

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Time [min]

Te

mp

era

ture

[°F

]

experiment #1

experiment #2

CFD Model

#14

Conclusion

CFD analysis provides valuable information on design

decisions

Visual analysis is the important part of CFD analysis

By using Ensight, these engineering analysis were

accomplished

□ The coldest spot identification

□ Temperature profile at the coldest spot over time

□ Comparison with experimental data at the exact location on

the munition

Recommendation

Ensight is easy and user friendly, but

powerful post-process visualization

tool

However, there are few things can be

improved by

□ Flowing panels with a viewing

window

□ Symmetry of symmetry view option

▪ Making complete circle if the original

has 90° geometry

□ and restart scheme that can be

applied to different shape of

geometry and cases