This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Catalytic Oxidation for Treatment of ECLSS & PMMS Waste Streams, 1991
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The sorption and ion exchange water reclamation technologies used to treat the waste streams in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) and Process Materials Management System (PMMS) are ineffective for removal of low molecular weight, polar organic contaminants which do not have ionized forms. These include likely waste stream constituents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone. Catalytic oxidation of these compounds in oxygen saturated water at moderate temperatures (125 to 160 C) provides a reliable, simple, and inexpensive way to eliminate these contaminants. By the suitable choice of catalysts, these species can be converted to carbon dioxide and water or to species which can be removed effectively by sorbents and ion exchange resins. The operation requirements of the baseline system are oxygen and heat. Since much of the heat is recovered, the energy use of the technology is very low. In the current gravity independent configuration, membrane oxygen saturators and carbon dioxide degassing units deliver the oxygen and remove the reaction byproducts. This prototype system has the demonstrated capability to lower 50 ppm ethanol levels to the part per billion level after catalyst contact times of 1 to 3 minutes. In addition, at slightly longer contact times a solution containing alcohols and acetone can be oxidized lowering these trace contaminants from 34 ppm to less than 500 ppb. Similar catalysts have also shown effectiveness at removing chlorinated organics such as chloroform and trichloroethylene from urine distillates pretreated with oxidizing compounds.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | Oxygen Recovery Using Reduction of Carbon Dioxide and Water Decomposition by Electrolyte |
Technical Paper | Study of Oxygen Recovery System using Reduction of Carbon Dioxide |
Technical Paper | An Advanced CO 2 Removal and Reduction System |
Citation
Akse, J. and Jolly, C., "Catalytic Oxidation for Treatment of ECLSS & PMMS Waste Streams, 1991," SAE Technical Paper 911539, 1991, https://doi.org/10.4271/911539.Also In
References
- Putnam, D.F. et al “Development of Wastewater Pretreatment and Recovered Water Post-treatment Techniques for Spacecraft Water Recovery Application” Final Report 1989
- Gienger, J.K. McCray, S.B. “Novel Membrane Based Water Reclamation Posttreatment Unit” Final Report Bend Research April 1989
- Whitley, K. Carrasquillo, R.L. Holder, D. Humphries, R. “Air and Water Quality Monitor Assessment of Life Support Subsystems” 18th Intersociety Conference on Environmental Systems San Francisco, CA July 1988
- Putnam, D.F. Colombo, G.V. Chullen, C. “Pre- and Post-Treatment Techniques for Spacecraft Water Recovery” Intersociety Conference on Environmental Systems San Diego, CA July 1986
- Colombo, G.V. Greenley, D.R. “Advanced Microbial Check Valve Development” Final Report Umpqua Research Company June 1980
- Uri, N. “Autoxodation and Antioxidants” Lundberg W.F. 1 Interscience New York 1961
- Jolly, C. “Catalytic Methods Using Molecular Oxygen for Treatment of PMMS and ECLSS Waste Streams” Final Report Umpqua Research Company August 1989