thedrifter
10-03-08, 06:13 AM
New humidity control shelter on Hansen preserves equipment
Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (October 3, 2008) -- The 12th Marine Regiment recently unveiled two new shelters designed to combat rust and corrosion on equipment by reducing indoor humidity.
The Controlled Humidity Protection shelters, the first of their kind on Okinawa, are comprised of the shelter, the air dehydration equipment and the control system.
The computer controlled automatic system is completely hands-off and monitored by phone where the inside and outside temperatures along with humidity are recorded and posted on the Logis-Tech Incorporated Web site for customers to view, said Bill Martin, a program manager with Logis-Tech, Inc.
One of the two units will be used to store M777 Lightweight Howitzers for the 12th Marines and the other will store howitzers
for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Force when they return from their current deployment.
These shelters were specifically built to house M777 Howitzers which have a number of electrical components in addition to the metals which are sensitive to the salt and humidity in the Okinawan air, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Varner, the maintenance management officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Humidity is not the only concern for preventing corrosion, rain and tropical storms also present corrosion hazards for equipment exposed to the elements.
The shelters provide an environment inside where the humidity is reduced to 40 percent or less. When the humidity drops that low, mold, mildew, corrosion or rust cannot form, Martin said.
Dehumidification has been recognized as one of the most cost effective methods for maintaining equipment and preventing corrosion, Martin said.
"There was a (Department of Defense) study done about two years back with the Army National Guard where they indicated for every dollar spent on corrosion control, you can expect an $8 return on investment," Varner said. "The straight math makes this project a worthwhile investment."
Ensuring equipment is properly cared for and maintained helps ensure combat readiness and limits the time spent scraping rust and maintaining the equipment after corrosion has set in.
"What we are doing is extending the life of equipment and making it combat ready when you need it. Instead of having to come in and get all the rust off and changing the electronics and all that kind of stuff, it is all ready to go because it has been properly preserved," Varner said.
The Marine Corps is currently constructing two additional shelters, one at the 9th Engineer Support Battalion Utilities Lot on Camp Hansen and the other at Camp Courtney in the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Motor Pool, Varner said. Both units are expected to be up and running in October.
Ellie
Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (October 3, 2008) -- The 12th Marine Regiment recently unveiled two new shelters designed to combat rust and corrosion on equipment by reducing indoor humidity.
The Controlled Humidity Protection shelters, the first of their kind on Okinawa, are comprised of the shelter, the air dehydration equipment and the control system.
The computer controlled automatic system is completely hands-off and monitored by phone where the inside and outside temperatures along with humidity are recorded and posted on the Logis-Tech Incorporated Web site for customers to view, said Bill Martin, a program manager with Logis-Tech, Inc.
One of the two units will be used to store M777 Lightweight Howitzers for the 12th Marines and the other will store howitzers
for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Force when they return from their current deployment.
These shelters were specifically built to house M777 Howitzers which have a number of electrical components in addition to the metals which are sensitive to the salt and humidity in the Okinawan air, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Varner, the maintenance management officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Humidity is not the only concern for preventing corrosion, rain and tropical storms also present corrosion hazards for equipment exposed to the elements.
The shelters provide an environment inside where the humidity is reduced to 40 percent or less. When the humidity drops that low, mold, mildew, corrosion or rust cannot form, Martin said.
Dehumidification has been recognized as one of the most cost effective methods for maintaining equipment and preventing corrosion, Martin said.
"There was a (Department of Defense) study done about two years back with the Army National Guard where they indicated for every dollar spent on corrosion control, you can expect an $8 return on investment," Varner said. "The straight math makes this project a worthwhile investment."
Ensuring equipment is properly cared for and maintained helps ensure combat readiness and limits the time spent scraping rust and maintaining the equipment after corrosion has set in.
"What we are doing is extending the life of equipment and making it combat ready when you need it. Instead of having to come in and get all the rust off and changing the electronics and all that kind of stuff, it is all ready to go because it has been properly preserved," Varner said.
The Marine Corps is currently constructing two additional shelters, one at the 9th Engineer Support Battalion Utilities Lot on Camp Hansen and the other at Camp Courtney in the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Motor Pool, Varner said. Both units are expected to be up and running in October.
Ellie