The Field Deployable Hydrolysis System (FDHS) is a transportable, high throughput neutralization system developed by the U.S. Army for converting chemical warfare material into compounds not usable as weapons.[1]
Operation
editNeutralization is facilitated through chemical reactions involving reagents that are mixed and heated to increase destruction efficiency, which is rated at 99.9 percent.[1]
The transportable FDHS is a self-contained system that includes power generators and a laboratory. Operational inputs include consumable materials such as water, reagents and fuel. It is designed to be set up within 10 days and is equipped with redundant critical systems.[1] An on-site a crew of 15 trained personnel, including SME support, is needed for each shift of a possible 24-hour operational cycle.[1]
Development
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A 20-week design and development phase was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in February 2013. The effort to develop a functional prototype was led by subject-matter experts from the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) in partnership with the United States Army Chemical Materials Agency.[1] An operational model was developed over the course of six months, with the participation of 50 ECBC employees.[1]
Deployment
editTwo of these units were deployed on the MV Cape Ray (T-AKR-9679) for use in the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.[2] They are the "centerpiece" of the disarmament effort.[3] The United Kingdom gave the United States £2.5 million of specialist equipment and training to enable the highest-priority chemicals to be processed more quickly.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "The Field Deployable Hydrolysis System" (PDF). CBIRR News. 1 (8 (Special Edition)). Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. August 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Manning, Lt. Col. Rob (6 January 2014). "Army Civilians praised for expertise in support of U.N. mission". U.S. Army. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Gordon, Michael R. (5 October 2013). "Plan for Ridding Syria of Chemical Arms Includes Brute Force and Chemistry". New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
- ^ "UK to help United States destroy Syrian chemical weapons faster". Reuters. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Syria: UK To Aid Chemical Weapons Destruction". Sky News. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2017.