Continuous Flow, Water Post-Treatment System for Human Spacecraft Application

An aqueous phase catalytic oxidation system (APCOS) was designed, tested and delivered to NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC). The APCOS removes residual organic impurities in reclaimed water to a level acceptable for potable use and to provide disinfection. The reactor, which contains a heterogeneous catalyst consisting of a noble metal on an inert support medium, operates at 120 - 150 °C and at fluid pressures of several atmospheres to maintain an aqueous liquid phase. Pressurized gaseous oxygen, used as the oxidant, is directly injected into the liquid phase. A description of the subsystems process hardware is presented.

The APCOS was demonstrated to mineralize organic impurities at concentrations of 100 mg/L total organic carbon (TOC) to < .5 mg/L (<500 μg/L TOC). In addition, disinfection features were demonstrated with microbial challenge tests. APCOS oxidation test results and applications of use for water recovery in CTSD's Early Human Testing Initiative (EHTI) at JSC are described.