Gen-set helps deal with hot problem - diesel generator sets used to supply electric power in the disposal of napalm

Rented Cat 3412 unit provides power for remote napalm processing plant; more than 34,000 weapons to be disposed

After two decades of trying to figure out how to deal with 23 million pounds of napalm in a Fallbrook, Calif., storage facility, the U.S. Navy has devised an interesting disposal program. And Hawthorne Power Systems, the local Caterpillar dealer, has been a key player in supplying electric power with a diesel generator set.

Removal plans for the 34,123 canisters of napalm include a three-step draining and disposal process. The green napalm canisters are loaded by crane in pairs into the entrance of a processing plant. For disposal, the bombs are carefully loaded onto a conveyor and moved into a chamber which is flooded with nitrogen to prevent accidental ignition. A machine punches large holes into the bomb and the napalm, a form of jellied gasoline, is drained out. The napalm is then trucked via tanker to a disposal firm and the bomb casings sold to an aluminum recycler.

Tom Golnick, Hawthorne's rental manager, noted that utility power was limited because of the remote location of the plant. "Over the past two years, Hawthorne has played an integral role in the plant design process," explained Golnick. "As different process concepts were reviewed by the contractor, we were called upon to calculate the changing motor loads and electrical demands in order to specify power generation requirements."

The contractor responsible for building and operating the plant chose to rent equipment, rather than purchase, due to Hawthorne's ability to provide the up-to-date diesel generating equipment, required fast delivery, and a 24-hour support team, as well as supplying local permits, which can be difficult to obtain.

A Caterpillar 3412 diesel engine generator set was ultimately selected to supply the processing plant with the required 600 kW at 480 Va.c. Stringent local sound level and exhaust emissions restrictions also dictated that a late model Caterpillar XQ600 sound-attenuated power module,be specified. This portable, completely enclosed diesel generator set system is manufactured at Cat's Large Engine Center at Lafayette, Ind.

Hawthorne performed extensive electronic modifications to the control and safety systems, allowing it to interface with the plant's remote PLC control and monitoring system. The unit provides prime power to the plant, while Hawthorne Power Systems is on hand for 24-hour service support during the minimum 30 months that will be required to process the entire stock of napalm. The gen-set has been on site for more than a year without any failures as of late-March 1999, Hawthorne said.