REPORT ON INCINERATOR, (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 66
• Publication Date: August 3, 1961
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
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CON:MENTAL
3 August 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Cl TSD/ EB
ATTENTION
25X1
25X1
SUBJECT
: Report on Incinerator,
25X1
1. On 28 July
a building known
1961 the undersigned inspected the incinerator located in 25X1
as
Security officers hel ed in checking out the
equipment and discussed their problems in using it. indicated his
intention of writing a report on his experience in operating the incinerator:
25X1
25X1
2. The area immediately around the installation was quite dirty, evidence
of their problem with blowing ashes while burning. A quantity of ash was found
in the incinerator which was said to be the remains of their last burning. When
this ash was later removed it was estimated to be more than a bushel in volume.
The lower air passages into the firebox were observed to be obstructed by this
ash before removal. Inspection of the fly ash screen also showed deposits of a
gray-white encrustation blocking many of the screen openings.
3. Normal burning periods at are once a week, with some 25X1
10 - 12 mail sacks comprising an average load. Each mail sack contains 10 or
11 burn bags full of paper weighing 6 - 7 lbs. Duration of such a normal burn
period was estimated at about 2 hrs. Muclyof the material lately has been torn
5 - 8 filing cards. Occasional extra burns are conducted, perhaps one additional
per month. A quantity of maps and photos had been disposed of recently in efforts
to reduce the volume of classified material.
4. There was no wire brush available to clean the screen but most of it
came off readily when rubbed by the hands. It was suggested that a wire brush
fitted with an angled handle would enable a clean up man to clear the screen
more readily when it showed evidence of clogging.
5. Before cleaning out the ash in the firebox the blower was turned on and
operation checked with no fire. Much ash was blown out the stack during this
check. Operation of the motor and blower were observed during this check and
all seemed normal. Motor temperature at start was 32?C and rose to 37?C only
at its warmest point. Gaskets around the duct from blower to firebox were tight
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JUST 22- NEXT HEY -2 476 ABM BB 10.2 CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
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with no leaks. The damper performed well, appearing to open and close
fully at the proper lever positions.
6. The manometer was dry and an awkward item to recharge with
water for blower pressure readings. Personnel using the incinerator stated
a preference for ignoring the device rather than taking the extra time to
fill it properly with water at each operation. Heat conditions in this location
were such that all the water in the manometer would evaporate during the
week between periods of use. Pre stone or some other non-volatile liquid
was suggested as a possible substitute for water as a manometer filling
with the understanding that a: different specific gravity would vary the nor-
mal pressure readings on the scale.
7. With the manometer charged with water, pressure readings taken
during the cold operation check, with the ash remaining in the incinerator
were: 1. 6 at normal stop, 4.2 wide open, 1. 6 at normal stop again. Other
readings taken of operating pressure with damper wide open varied around
4. 5 and 4.4. These readings were thought to be somewhat lower than
they should be and were generally attributed to the 50 cycle motor current.
A tachometer was not available to check motor RPM's.
8. The temperature gauge was thought to be out of order because of
erratic performance but on adjusting the position of the thermocouple within
the stack the needle perfolmed well during a trial burn operation. Highest
temperature recorded during a trial burn of an estimated 70 pounds of
cards was 11000. All ash was removed from the incinerator before this
trial burn and as much of the material clogging the screen as could be
readily reached by hand was also removed. The burn proceeded normally
with no ash or smoke observed emanating from the stack outside the
building. The material was reduced to ashes in about 20 minutes with no
difficulty.
9. Discussion with the incinerator operators showed that their pro-
cedure was to operate the incinerator at maximum capacity while burning.
The boxes would be loaded up level with the door opening, ignited and allowed
to burn until the terreezatuze dropped near zero, then the blower would
be cut off and another- full load thrown in. Operation tended to be either
full on or full off with no gradual increase or decrease of the air flow.
10. The major complaint appeared to be that upon cutting off the
blower and opening the door much ash and sometimesflame would blast
out the door opening at the operator. This was checked during the trial
runs, hot and cold, and it was concluded that the blower and damper were
not at fault but the stack venting had unfortunately been located toward
- 2 -
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8
? A,
CONRDEJAL
the prevailing winds. When a strong gust of wind blew into the stack with
the blower not working and the door opened much ash did indeed blow out
into the area surrounding the incinerator. No flames were observed to
shoot out during the one trial but it could easily occur with the venting so
oriented. It was suggested that the stack location be changed to go either
straight up through the roof or out the building to leeward, which ever
would be more feasible for construction. It was decided to make this
change within a week unless there should be some negative indication from
Headquarters after submitting this report.
11. In conclusion it is felt that the major problems are of stack
orientation and technique of operation. Minor problems of the manometer
and thermocouple instrumentation may be readily modified or adjusted in
the field. If the manometer is a useful instrument to indicate the relative
efficiency of operation of the unit perhaps an instrument with less mainten-
ance (water level) problems could be substituted.
Distribution:
Orig & 3 - Addressee
3 -
CITS.D1 /SD
CONFIDENT/AL
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/18: CIA-RDP78-03642A001600040066-8