Storage of Hazardous Chemical & Materials in Main Engineering

Opportunity: The need exists to store hazardous chemicals and materials outside in the Main Engineering area (e.g. chemicals, diesel, waste oils, and partially used paints). Although some lab chemicals are stored inside the Habitat in a specific lab cabinet, insufficient space exists for storage of all chemicals in the Hab.

Design Specifications:

1. Create an area 6 meters by 2.5 meters capable of safely storing the hazardous chemicals listed above.
2. Create a storage area with at least 3 levels of protection.
3. Use only the materials that are on hand and readily available at the MDRS area.
4. Allow for appropriate storage of different chemicals
5. Allow for proper drainage around the storage arear.
6. Spend no more than 4-5 man/woman hours to complete the project.

Design Challenge Overview: In 4 hours a temporary demonstration hazardous chemicals and materials storage area was constructed with moderate expenditure of labor. The demonstration area is composed of a flat area in Main Engineering that utilizes wood, weathered plastic tarp, and excess metal decking to create a barrier from chemicals seeping into the soil. Secondary containment of chemicals is accomplished via vinyl “Rubbermaid” storage boxes. Chemicals were grouped and stored according to chemical make-up so as to avoid reations.

Chose an area that is flat and/or has modifiable drainage pattern	Lightly leveled the area with a rake	Placed an absorbant piece of wood as a base to the area
Layered the area with three partially weathered blue plastic tarps	Placed a piece of excess metal decking material on the tarps	Selected 3 vinyl "rubbermaid" containers for different chemcials
Placed chemicals in the containers based on composition (to avoid reactions)	Dug shallow, small trench at the back of the area (which is slightly higher in elevation)	Used a small bag of gravel to promote drainage around the storage/demonstration area
Dug a shallow, small trench around the storage area to allow water to flow around the area (note the dirt burm)	Used extra hay bails to further protect the area from erosion and muddy drainage	Here's the new "field" hazardous chemicals and materials" storage area (not the fluorescent bulbs, not a hazardous material, but dangerous if just left laying around)

Limitations: There is not a large enough space within the Habitat to store the large number of chemicals and hazardous materials at MDRS; therefore, some materials must be stored outside in the Main Engineering area. The storage area must be easy to disassemble for environmental reasons. See pictures above for the specific steps taken.

Recommendations for future Moonbases:

1. Limit the necessity, dependence, and use of hazardous chemicals
2. Where able, choose chemicals that can be easily “digested” in the closed ecological life support system.
3. Choose design and architecture materials that are durable and future compatible with other materials.
4. Choose design and architecture materials that are easily re-painted and re-surfaced (without the use of primers) to allow for modification based upon crewmember preferences.
5. Use rechargeable batteries.
6. Conduct a thorough Environmental Impact Study PRIOR to the design, deployment, and construction of an Moonbase prototype.
7. Have clear lines of communication with persons that process and remove hazardous materials.
8. Have a clear job description component for a member of the Moonbase team that will be the “go to” responsible person with regards to storage, processing, and retirement of chemicals (both inside and outside the Moonbase)