Chemical Processing
waste_chemical_processing_system
Chemical treatment and conversion system for processing non-metallic waste including polymers, ceramics, lubricants, solvents, and composite materials into reusable feedstock.
Purpose
Break down complex chemical waste streams into base materials that can re-enter the manufacturing supply chain, and regenerate process chemicals used in other recycling operations.
Context
Handles the chemically diverse waste streams that metal recovery and electronics recycling cannot process, including spent lubricants, degraded polymers, and ceramic waste.
Principles
- ▸Pyrolysis decomposes organic materials into char, oil, and gas fractions
- ▸Acid-base chemistry regenerates spent reagents and neutralizes waste
- ▸Solvent recovery by distillation preserves valuable process chemicals
- ▸Ceramic waste can be ground and used as aggregate or mold material
- ▸Catalytic conversion transforms waste hydrocarbons into useful feedstock
Typical implementations
- ▸Vacuum pyrolysis reactor for polymer and organic waste breakdown
- ▸Fractional distillation columns for solvent recovery
- ▸Acid regeneration plants for hydrometallurgical reagent recycling
- ▸Ball mills for ceramic waste size reduction and homogenization
- ▸Catalytic reformer for hydrocarbon waste conversion
- ▸Neutralization tanks with pH control
Lunar considerations
- ▸No atmospheric emissions allowed; all gases must be captured
- ▸Vacuum pyrolysis naturally prevents combustion of organic waste
- ▸Chemical reagent conservation is critical with no resupply
- ▸Carbon is a scarce element on the Moon; organic waste carbon must be recovered
- ▸Process heat can be sourced from waste heat of other Ark systems
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Chemically process non-metallic waste into reusable feedstock and regenerate process chemicals |
| inputs | polymer_waste, spent_lubricants, spent_solvents, ceramic_waste, composite_materials, spent_chemical_reagents |
| outputs | recovered_carbon, regenerated_reagents, recovered_solvents, ceramic_aggregate, hydrocarbon_feedstock |
| reagent regeneration | >95% recovery per cycle |
| carbon recovery | >90% from organic waste |
| solvent recovery | >98% by distillation |
| emission capture | 100% of process gases captured |
Physical
| materials | hastelloy_reactor_vessels, distillation_columns, catalytic_beds, acid_resistant_piping, gas_capture_systems |
| location | isolated chemical processing module |
| atmosphere | pressurized with full fume extraction and scrubbing |
| safety | chemical spill containment, emergency ventilation |
Operational
| thermal range c | -173, 127 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Regenerated acids and solvents for electronics recycling
- Carbon, polymer precursors, and ceramic aggregate
- Distilled solvents for process use across the Ark
Requires
- Classified chemical waste streams
- Power for heating, distillation, and reactor operation
- Waste heat from other systems for energy efficiency
Decomposes into
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Chemical Processing" (L2-WMS-PROC). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L2-WMS-PROC
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.