Payload preparation building

The Payload Preparation Building (EPCU) is a station ‘dedicated’ to satellites, to their assembly and fuelling with nitrogen peroxide and hydrazine products.

* Pollution:              

 - accidental spillage of propellant

 - outgassing of polluted gas by propellant vapour

 - rejection of a mixture of water and Iso Propyllic Alcohol (IPA)

   fouled by nitrogen peroxide and hydrazine products

 - pollution related to energy supply

* Procedures introduced:

- a recovery drain around the propellant fuelling hall and drainage into confined pits

- recovery of propellant effluent rejects in process pits as well as grey water following

  cleaning of equipment

- liquid effluents, which are analysed and neutralised before being rejected

- gaseous effluents, which are purified with bubble machines before being released

  into the atmosphere

- sewage treatment station for grey water

- retaining tanks for storing chemical products

- 3 piezometers for monitoring the water table, complemented by a recovery arrangement for

  run-off water