Solids Thermophilic Aerobic Reactor for Solid Waste Management in Advanced Life Support Systems

Solids thermophilic aerobic reactor (STAR) processing of biodegradable solid waste residuals uses high temperature conditions to reduce waste volume, inactivate pathogens, and render products that may enter the recycle system by providing plant substrate, fish food, and mushroom growth medium. The STAR process recovers and enables the reuse of nutrients, water, and carbon. During the time of this study, STAR was operated at a 3% solids loading rate, with an 11-day retention time at a temperature range of 50-55°C. This document presents the following details:

• a
  the evolution to date of the STAR reactor
• b
  review of reactor operation and analytical methods
• c
  a synopsis of the performance results and related discussion, and
• d
  a synopsis of future goals relative to this project's associated research roadmap.