Is it possible to squeeze a functional chemical processing plant onto a ship? That’s effectively what happened to the Cape Ray, which is now carrying a Field Deployable Hydrolysis System (FDHS) designed to neutralize chemical weapons, according to Wired. The Cape Ray, a 200-meter-long, roll-on-roll-off cargo ship with five decks, was designated to destroy Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons.
The FDHS is described as “a chemical processing plant which fits into two, six-meter-long containers that can be transported around the world.” It features an 8,300 liter titanium reactor that can treat 25 tons of chemical agent per day, a 15,000 liter water tank, a water heater; ventilation systems; interim holding tanks; a command and control center; a laboratory and power generators, according to Wired. A 15-person crew mans each shift and set-up takes 10 days.