N092-153 TITLE: Rapid Retrograde Processing on Ships

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Future Naval Capabilities Program

OBJECTIVE: Design and build an appropriate technology solution which can ultimately be deployed on board naval vessels to rapidly and efficiently process shipboard operationally generated waste streams, including the large quantities of bulk waste generated during cargo and ordnance handling. The system would process biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in such a way as to minimize the requirement for subsequent shipboard storage (for offload at a shore facility for final processing and/or disposal) and have the lowest resultant impact on the environment.

DESCRIPTION: General day-to-day shipboard operations generate large quantities of waste. In addition to general shipboard operations, shipment and transfer of cargo and ordnance requires the use of additional retrograde packing, bracing and handling materials which result in the generation of large amounts of bulk waste as these resources are consumed. Current shipboard waste management systems have limited capacity to handle bulk waste and non-biodegradable waste products. Much of the waste generated from cargo shipment/handling and ordnance shipment and subsequent breakout/assembly has to be retained on board until the ship arrives at a shore facility with the capability to process and properly dispose of the waste or the waste is discharged overboard. Both of these options have serious drawbacks. If the waste has to be retained on board, valuable operational, stowage and berthing areas are consumed by the accumulation of waste until the ship arrives in port to offload. Growing environmental concerns have increasingly limited where overboard discharge is permissible and what can be discharged. The Navy has mandated specific pollution abatement policies to align Navy policies with national and international environmental regulations. These issues must be addressed to enable indefinite presence and sustainment of operations from the sea base with the maximum benefit to the war fighter and the smallest possible effect on the environment. The current effort would develop the enabling technologies necessary to process various waste streams including the bulk waste generated from cargo and ordnance handling. The effort would process waste on the ship with the smallest amount of overall residual waste. The technology would be capable of retrofit onto existing platforms without major ship modifications or power generation requirements. It is envisioned that the technology would also be installed on various future platforms. Fiberglass, Styrofoam, metal strapping/banding, pallets (of various sizes) and wooden bracing (e.g. 2 x 4s or wedges) are examples of bulk waste generated from the shipment and breakout of various cargo and ordnance. PEO Carriers and PEO Ships are possible military transition sponsors for this technology. A potential commercial application can be found within the cruise line industry as it is forced to address the same environmental concerns as does the Navy and other seaborne organizations.

PHASE I: Develop overall system design that includes specification for biodegradable (e.g. food, cardboard, wood) and non-biodegradable (e.g. metal strapping/banding, fiberglass, plastic, Styrofoam, glass) waste processing. The system should operate as clean (environmentally responsible) as possible and produce minimal residual waste (for subsequent storage or discharge). The system must be as compact as possible, capable of retrofit onto existing platforms or installation on future platforms, operate within shipboard power generation and distribution systems and operate safely in a marine environment.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype system in a realistic environment. Conduct testing to prove feasibility in operating conditions.

PHASE III: This system could be used across a broad range of military applications and over a wide variety of naval platforms where clean, efficient waste disposal processes, with minimal residual waste, are necessary.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This system could be used in a broad range of civilian waste processing applications where clean, efficient processes with minimal residual waste are necessary – for example, the cruise line industry and certain industrial facilities.

REFERENCES:
1. OPNAVINST 5090.1C

2. NAVSEA SW023-AJ-WHS-010

3. Cargo Specialists’ Handbook FM-55-17

KEYWORDS: Retrograde; dunnage; waste processing; pollution abatement; environmental protection; waste disposal

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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