Photocatalytic Post-Treatment in waste Water Reclamation Systems

An ultraviolet driven photocatalytic post-treatment technique for the purification of waste water distillates, reverse osmosis permeates and spacecraft habitat atmospheric humidity condensates is described. Experimental results show that organic impurity carbon content of simulated reclamation waters at nominal 40 PPM level are reduced to, PPB using a recirculating batch reactor. The organic impurities common to reclaimed waste waters are completely oxidized employing minimum expendables (stoichiometric oxygen). This paper discusses test results and parametric data obtained for design and fabrication of a breadboard system. The parametric testing includes UV light source evaluation, photolysis vs photocatalysis comparison, oxygen concentration dependence, temperature dependence, reactor mixing, disinfection features, photocatalyst loading, photocatalyst degradation studies and power consumption estimates. This novel post-treatment approach for waste water reclamation shows potential for integration with closed-loop life support systems.