Recycling Plant Nutrients at NASA's KSC-CELSS Breadboard Project: Biological Performance of the Breadboard-Scale Aerobic Bioreactor During Two Runs

Bioregenerative processes for the replenishment of plant nutrients in CELSS are being evaluated. Continuous operation of a breadboard-scale aerobic bioreactor (breadboard-scale aerobic bioreactor, 120 L working volume) has been used successfully to resupply partially the nutrients required for hydroponically grown wheat (4 m² growing area, 57 days bioreactor operation) and potato (8 m² growing area, 310 days bioreactor operation). Bioreactor performance, measured by reduction in volatile solids (27 to 37% wheat, ca. 51% potato) and mineralization of biomass C (24 to 37% wheat, 35 to 61% potato), depended on process parameters such as retention time.