Station Tour Part 1

The station manager conducted tours of the station and surrounding areas for familiarization in case of emergencies. All winter-overs are on the Emergency Response Team and must be familiar with all of the buildings fire and problem annunciator panels.

The last time I posted pictures of the Growth Chamber (greenhouse) it was empty.

Lettuce and some fruits are now growing.

LED lights.

Several varieties of lettuce.

Looking good. All feedings are automated.

This will be the Hobby Hydroponic area where anything can be grown "as long as it is edible and legal under federal law".

The cylindrical structure (stairway leading to the underground tunnel system) on the left is called the "beer can".

It is called that because this is what the inside (unheated) looks like - a frosted can of cold beer.

The underground tunnel system. Very cold here.

The control center for the power plant.

These are 800 gallon fuel tanks called the day tanks.

78% of the generator's heat byproduct is used in station heating. The heat exchanger on top is part of this system.

There are three 750 KW generators along with one smaller one. The three are alternated every 1,000 hours.

A lot of plumbing.

Power control panels.

One of the 750 KW generators. They are rated for 1 MW but set to 750 KW due to the altitude.

What a maze!

The layout.

Looking back through one of the tunnels. I was told that to take pictures you need to hold your breath.

Food - all frozen of course. No refrigeration required.

Just like Costco except a little cooler.

It's a little frosty inside.

There are 9 groups of 5 each fuel storage tanks that hold a total of 450,000 gallons of AN8 fuel. This is the antifreeze version of JP8 jet fuel. It powers all the generators and heavy equipment.

The delivered cost of this fuel is $45 per gallon. The monthly fuel cost to run the station is approximately one million dollars per month. Since the fuel is stored at -60 degF there is no petroleum breakdown.

Back through the door to Costco.

Once our freshies are gone we will be back to this stuff.

Plenty of oatmeal.