Design Enhancements to Facilitate a Sustainable and Energy Efficient Dining Facility (DFAC) in a Contingency Environment

Abstract

DFACs in a contingency environment consume large amounts of energy and resources, and generate large amounts of food and solid waste daily. Almost all Contingency Basecamp (CB) DFACs provide individual paper and plastic ware, which is costly in terms of purchase, transportation, and disposal. This work analyzed the effects of replacing paper and plastic ware with reusable materials, and of adding industrial dishwashers to reduce the logistical burden of using paper and plastic ware. Additional enhancements analyzed were: (1) greywater heat recovery units, (2) solar water heaters, and (3) anaerobic biodigesters. Implementing dishwashing facilities on contingency DFACs was found to be economically viable. Greywater heat recovery was recommended as a standard addition to dishwashing facilities at contingency DFACs. Solar water heating was recommended only at enduring contingency base camps. Anaerobic biodigesters were recommended for base-wide use.