An Ultrapure Water Processing System Utilizing Membrane Pervaporation and Catalytic Oxidation Technologies

Future space exploration activities require ultrapure water for experimentation and general laboratory operations. A system which is capable of recycling wastewater to provide ultrapure water will greatly reduce water resupply requirements. A Hollow Fiber Membrane (HFM) phase change technology coupled with an Aqueous Phase Catalytic Oxidation (APCO) provides an efficient means of water purification to meet the requirements for the Ultrapure Water System (UPWS). The HFM phase change system, a pervaporation process, separates water from organics and inorganics in an aqueous solution. As with all phase change technologies, volatile organic compounds are transported with the product water. These organics are then oxidized by the APCO process to significantly reduce the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentration. Residual contaminants are then removed by polishing beds containing ion exchange resins and physical adsorbents.