Waste Water Handling Proof of Concepts at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

• Main Authors: Melendy, Terry D, Haehnel, Robert, Colby, Kent
• Other Authors: ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Water Pollution and Control; *WASTE WATER; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; BARRELS; ICE; INCINERATORS; LANDING FIELDS; LOGISTICS SUPPORT; STORAGE TANKS; WASTE DISPOSAL; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WATER TREATMENT; ANTARCTICA; EPOLAR(ENGINEERING FOR POLAR OPERATIONS LOGISTICS AND RESEARCH); MCMURDO STATION; NSF; PEGASUS RUNWAY; WASTE INCINERATION; WASTE TRANSPORT; PROOF-OF-CONCEPT TESTING; PORTABLE WASTE TRANSFER TANKS; DISPOSAL THROUGH ICE; STORAGE IN ICE SHELF; VACUUM TANKS; Antarctic; Austral; Handle The; McMurdo Station; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA609370; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA609370

Raytheon Polar Services Company implemented two proof-of-concept waste handling methods for testing during the austral summers spanning 2010 to 2013 at Pegasus Airfield, McMurdo, Antarctica. These methods included a portable waste transfer tank and a waste incineration method. Testing and modification of these methods took place from 2010 to 2013 to determine the feasibility of long-term use of each method. Data for the actual waste water production at the runway was limited before the start of these projects and was estimated to determine proper sizing of the two methods used. During proof-of-concept testing of these methods, a more accurate determination of the waste water production was obtained as well. This is invaluable data for developing a long-term solution to handle the wastewater produced at the airfield. Both of these methods proved to be viable options dependent on the amount and type of logistical support available. The original document contains color images. Prepared in collaboration with Raytheon Polar Services, Centennial, CO.