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Advancements in Regenerative Life Support Waste Water Bioprocessing Technology
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Abstract
Bioreactor technology for waste water reclamation in a regenerative life support system (RLSS) is currently being developed by a team of NASA and major aerospace companies. To advance this technology, several activities are being performed concurrently; these include conducting small-scale studies and developing computer models.
Small-scale studies are being performed to characterize and enhance the bioprocesses occurring within the bioreactor. New bioreactor configurations have been investigated which improved total organic carbon degradation as well as nitrification, the polishing step which converts nitrogenous wastes into forms that are easily removable from the water. Small-scale studies have also been performed using an activated sludge reactor demonstrating that TOC reduction and nitrification can occur in a single reactor.
Computer models have been developed to guide the laboratory studies and to assist in full-scale system design. These models have provided a method to investigate performance-limiting factors and to improve future designs. An example of this is how the “detailed” Immobilized Cell Bioreactor (ICB) computer model was used as a design tool for the improved parallel-plate, four-person ICB designed for the Hybrid Regenerative Water Recovery System (HRWRS) program at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in support of upcoming closed environmental tests. Additional modeling activities included investigating nitrification and decreasing run time, particularly for very thin biomass layers.
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Supra, L., Kumagai, G., Landau, L., Zinger, E. et al., "Advancements in Regenerative Life Support Waste Water Bioprocessing Technology," SAE Technical Paper 961572, 1996, https://doi.org/10.4271/961572.Also In
References
- Edeen, M. A. Kumagai G.H. Dittmer L.N. Landau L.M. Schweickart R.W. McFadden C.D. “Advances in Development of Bioreactor Technology for a Regenerative Life Support Primary Water Processor,” SAE Paper 951740 , 25th International Conference on Environmental Systems San Diego, CA July 10-13 1995
- Kumagai, G.H. Dittmer L.N. Landau L.M. Zinger E.F. St. Martin E.J. McFadden, C.D. Edeen M.A. “Computer Modeling and Experimental Investigations of a Regenerative Life Support Waste Water Bioreactor,” SAE Paper 951463 , 25th International Conference on Environmental Systems San Diego, CA July 10-13 1995
- McFadden, C. Schweickart R. Kumagai G. “System Level Model Development of a Biological Primary Water Processor SAE Paper 951465 , 25th International Conference on Environmental Systems San Diego July 10-13 1995
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- Verostko, C.E. Edeen M.A Packham N.J.C “A Hybrid Regenerative Water Recovery System for Lunar/Mars,” SAE Paper 921276 , 22nd International Conference on Environmental Systems Seattle July 13-16 1992
- Suidan, Dr. University of Cincinnati
- Schweickart, R.W. McFadden C.D. “Bioregenerative Waste Water Reclamation Using an Activated Sludge Waste Water Processor with Cross Flow Filtration Biomass Recycle,” SAE Paper 961571 , 26th International Conference on Environmental Systems Monterey, CA July 8-11 1996