The Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) Modernized Pre-Mix and Nitro Cellulose (NC) Dehydration NG3 Facilities

The Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) NG3 Facility Construction is a multi-phased construction approach geared at addressing the four (4) core processes in NG manufacturing (Nitration, Solventless Slurry/Paste, Multi-base Pre-mix, and NC Dehydration). This project will focus on the Pre-Mix and Nitro Cellulose (NC) Dehydration (Dehy) facilities of the design for the new NG-3 facility. Nitrate Esters (NE), such as Nitroglycerin (NG), are critical additives in the production of double and triple-base propellants. RFAAP currently uses 15,000 lbs. of NG daily (3.5M lbs. annually) to support propellant production, which includes both solventless and solvent propellants. Currently, NG is produced on-site in the NG-2 Area by a single nitrator that is over 30 years old. The facility also has a single Slurry/Paste building and a single Pre-Mix building, both of which are 50 years old. Each of these present a single point failure to production and often cause production interruptions. The objective of this project is to prepare a 30% design for Nitro Cellulose (NC) Dehydration (including NC Shredding), hereinafter referred as NC Dehy, and Pre-Mix facilities at Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) using the most modern, safe, environmentally friendly, and automated technologies to the maximum extent feasible.