Chemical Waste Processing
Acid/Base Neutralization and Solvent Recovery
The chemical waste processing train is a 50-kilogram continuous-flow system that neutralizes acid and base waste streams, precipitates heavy-metal ions, and recovers chemical solvents. Constructed with Hastelloy reactors, tantalum heat exchangers, and a PTFE distillation column, the 500-watt unit processes 5 liters per hour to achieve near-neutral pH. Because lunar operations preclude consumable resupply, closed-loop solvent recovery is mandatory to sustain ongoing processes. The system delivers neutralized aqueous effluent to downstream stabilization units and transfers hazardous residuals to long-term storage, providing a 30,000-hour mean time between failures across a 15-year operational lifetime.
Chemical processing train neutralising acid/base waste streams and recovering solvents from chemistry steps across the Ark.
Purpose
Chemical processing train neutralising acid/base waste streams and recovering solvents from chemistry steps across the Ark.
Context
Child of L2-WMS-PROC within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Acid-base neutralization to near-neutral pH for safe disposal
- ▸Distillation column recovers solvents for reuse
- ▸Heavy-metal precipitation removes hazardous ions
- ▸Continuous-flow operation
- ▸Closed-loop solvent management
Typical implementations
- ▸Industrial chemical waste treatment (terrestrial)
- ▸Pharmaceutical solvent recycling
- ▸Laboratory waste neutralisation
Lunar considerations
- ▸Closed-loop solvent reuse essential (no resupply)
- ▸Neutralised aqueous waste to L3-WMS-PROC-NEUT for stabilisation
- ▸Hazardous residuals to L3-WMS-STOR-LONG
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Chemical processing train neutralising acid/base waste streams and recovering solvents from chemistry steps across the Ark. |
| throughput l per hour | 5 |
Physical
| mass kg | 50 |
| materials | Hastelloy reactors, Tantalum heat exchangers, PTFE distillation column |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 500 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 30000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Neutralised aqueous waste
- Recovered solvents
Requires
- Chemical waste input
- Process power (~500 W)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Chemical Waste Processing" (L3-WMS-PROC-CHEM). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-WMS-PROC-CHEM
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.