Application of the Photodegradation Method to a Water Reclamation System

A Two Stage Reverse Osmosis System in combination with a Membrane Vacuum Distillation Water Processor have been the focus of research for the water reclamation subsystem within the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS). Purification tests on waste water and urine have been conducted. Reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane distillation (MD) remove a high percentage of inorganic salts, but are ineffective for removal of some organic compounds such as alcohols and organic acids.

The addition of a photodegradation subsystem with TiO₂ photocatalysts to this water reclamation system has potential advantages of cost performance, energy savings, and the capability to remove alcohols and organic acids. In this research, the removal of alcohols and organic acids using TiO₂ photocatalysts was investigated and basic data on efficiency of the photocatalysts were acquired.

This paper reports on the results for the removal of alcohols and organic acids from water using the photocatalysts performed in National Space Development Agency of Japan / Tsukuba Space Center (NASDA / TKSC).