Browse Topic: Water reclamation

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Study on the Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds in Water by Ultracrosslinked Network Hydrogels2026-99-16427/24/2026
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Chen, Ruini, Lu, Bing
Snail-Inspired Robot Could Scoop Ocean MicroplasticsTBMG-503674/1/2024
Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists have developed a robot prototype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas, and lakes.
Exploring 3D Printing in a Weightless EnvironmentTBMG-499982/1/2024
Recent experiments by a team from the West Virginia University focused on how a weightless microgravity environment affects 3D printing using titania foam, a material with potential applications ranging from UV blocking to water purification. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces published their findings.
Water Purification System Engineered from WoodTBMG-4044712/1/2021
Researchers have engineered a more sustainable technique for producing hydrogel composites, a type of material that is widely studied for wastewater decontamination. The hydrogels remove contaminants such as heavy metal ions, dyes, and other common pollutants.
Pre-Treatment Solution for Water RecoveryTBMG-395958/1/2021
The Pre-Treatment Solution for Water Recovery was developed by NASA Johnson to increase the amount of potable water recovered from the International Space Station’s urine processor assembly system. Turning wastewater, urine, or seawater into potable water requires three important steps: 1) pre-treatment, 2) distillation or membrane filtration, and 3) transport and storage of potable water and brine. This solution is added during the first step, consequently improving the next steps in the process primarily by reducing the formation of solid precipitates.
5 Ws of the Sunlight-Powered Water FilterTBMG-392756/1/2021
The invention could help solve the problem of providing clean water off the grid or where low-cost, non-powered water purification is needed.
Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel from the SeaTBMG-383581/1/2021
Researchers have integrated water purification technology into a new proof-of-concept design for a sea water electrolyzer that uses an electric current to split apart the hydrogen and oxygen in water molecules. This new method for “sea water splitting” could make it easier to turn wind and solar energy into a storable and portable fuel.
Material Advances for LED Quantum Dot EfficiencyTBMG-3801311/1/2020
Developing efficient and cost-effective ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs), especially in the deepultraviolet (UV-C) is a long-standing goal of the photonics community. UV-C LEDs are of particular interest and could replace gas discharge lamps, revolutionizing disinfection systems, provide water purification, and facilitate non-line-of-sight communication. In light of the on-going global pandemic due to COVID-19, implementation of a rapid surface disinfection method in which chemical cleaning is impractical or not as effective is of critical importance.
Products of Tomorrow: February 2020TBMG-359682/1/2020
This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.
Process Turns Sand and Plant Materials into a Water Filtration ToolTBMG-358191/1/2020
According to the United Nations, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and the majority live in developing nations. A process was developed that uses sand and plant materials readily available in many developing nations to create a cheap and effective water filtration medium called “f-sand.” F-sand uses proteins from the Moringa oleifera plant, a tree native to India that grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. The tree is cultivated for food and natural oils, and the seeds are already used for a type of rudimentary water purification; however, this traditional means of purification leaves behind high amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the seeds, allowing bacteria to regrow after just 24 hours. This leaves only a short window in which the water is drinkable.
Feasibility Study of Portable Water Desalination Systems for Water Contingencies at Remote Navy Installations19AERP08_078/1/2019
Navy explores ways to ensure an uninterrupted supply of potable water at remote installations. NAVFAC Expeditionary Program Office (NEPO), Washington Navy Yard, DC The Department of the Navy (DON) has major installations located around the world. Twenty-two main installations operate outside the continental United States (OCONUS) and rely on on-base water processing facilities. These facilities serve a total population of 71,000 military and civilian personnel, and the water plants have a total production capacity of 15.7 million gallons per day. A significant majority of these locations use a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for water purification. At many of these installations, the RO systems provide the only reliable potable water source for personnel. Providing potable water is a critical and core mission of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).
Pre-Treatment Solution for Water RecoveryTBMG-341694/1/2019
The Pre-Treatment Solution for Water Recovery technology was developed by NASA Johnson Space Center innovators to increase the amount of potable water recovered from the International Space Station’s urine processor assembly system. The solution increased the water recovery rate in the ISS distiller from 75 to 90 percent, doubled the volume of feed processed per cycle, reduced the volume of brine by half, and eliminated the formation of precipitate up to 90% water recovery.
Products of Tomorrow: April 2019TBMG-341624/1/2019
This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.
2017 Create the Future Design Contest: Sustainable Technologies Category WinnerTBMG-2781411/1/2017
Ultralight, Scalable, High-Temperature-Resilient Ceramic Nanofiber SpongesTBMG-275229/1/2017
Researchers have made ultralight, highly porous, compressible, and heat-resistant sponge-like materials from nanoscale ceramic fibers. The highly deformable material is made by tangling ceramic nanofibers into a sponge. The method used is inexpensive and scalable for making large quantities.
Water-Based, Recyclable Membrane Filters all Types of NanoparticlesTBMG-275349/1/2017
Separation technology is at the heart of water purification, sewage treatment, and reclaiming materials, as well as numerous basic industrial processes. Membranes are used to separate out the smallest nanoscale particles, and even molecules and metal ions. A new type of membrane was developed that could extend the life of a separation system, lower its cost, and in some cases, increase its efficiency as well.
Electrochemical Method for Removing Pollutants from WaterTBMG-273118/1/2017
When removing very dilute concentrations of pollutants from water, existing separation methods tend to be energy- and chemical-intensive. A new method was developed that could provide a selective alternative for removing even extremely low levels of unwanted compounds. The method relies on an electrochemical process to selectively remove organic contaminants such as pesticides, chemical waste products, and pharmaceuticals, even when these are present in small, yet dangerous concentrations. The approach also addresses key limitations of conventional electrochemical separation methods such as acidity fluctuations and losses in performance that can happen as a result of competing surface reactions.
System, Apparatus, and Method for Liquid PurificationTBMG-268675/1/2017
Scientists at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a unique water purification method that can be used for water recycling or point-of-use applications. Originally developed as a means to recycle water in space, this technology has applications in industrial water treatment, water recycling, and water purification for military bases, disaster sites, and regions without easy access to clean water. Relying on only electrical energy, this technology uses plasma-generated reactive species to decompose organic contaminants, ranging from submicron particles to water soluble organics like glycol, ethanol, and industrial dyes.
2016 Create the Future Design Contest: Sustainable Technologies Category WinnerTBMG-2577111/1/2016
William Janssen, Desolenator, London, UK
Habitat Water Wall for Water, Solids, and Atmosphere Recycle and ReuseTBMG-2302410/1/2015
A method was developed that allows water recycling, air treatment, thermal control, and solid residuals treatment and recycle to be removed from the usable habitat volume and placed in the walls of a radiation-shielding water wall. This design also provides a mechanism to recover and reuse water treatment (solid) residuals to strengthen the habitat shell.
Temperature Control of Water with Heating, Cooling and Mixing in a Process with Recycle Loop2014-01-06524/1/2014
A hot and cold water mixing process with a steam condenser and a chilled water heat exchanger is set up for an engine EGR fouling test. The test rig has water recycled in the loop of a pump, heat exchangers, a three-way mixing valve, and a test EGR unit. The target unit temperature is controlled by a heating, cooling and mixing process with individual valves regulating the flow-rate of saturated steam, chilled water and mixing ratio. The challenges in control design are the dead-time, interaction, nonlinearity and multivariable characteristics of heat exchangers, plus the flow recycle in the system. A systems method is applied to extract a simple linear model for control design. The method avoids the nonlinearity and interaction among different temperatures at inlet, outlet and flow-rate. The test data proves the effectiveness of systems analysis and modeling methodology. As a result, the first-order linear model facilitates the controller design. The simulation studies with internal recycle processes produced promising results. Test rig operating data indicate both the modeling method and Model Predictive Control (MPC) controller are effective.
Wu, Hai, Chen, Wen, Li, Meng-Feng, Wang, Xinlei
Light-Control Systems Help NASA Go ‘Net Zero’TBMG-155671/1/2013
The Propellants North Administrative and Maintenance Facility at Kennedy Space Center, located in Cape Canaveral, FL, achieves net-zero energy use. To offset the costs of electricity provided by a local utility, the center powers itself with renewable resources. The new facility is NASA’s first carbonneutral one, which means it is engineered to release no greenhouse gas emissions during renovation or operation.
Sustainable Technologies Category Winner (Winner of an HP Workstation)TBMG-1516111/1/2012
Water Treatment Systems for Long SpaceflightsTBMG-1509711/1/2012
Space exploration will require new life support systems to support the crew on journeys lasting from a few days to several weeks, or longer. These systems should also be designed to reduce the mass required to keep humans alive in space. Water accounts for about 80 percent of the daily mass intake required to keep a person alive. As a result, recycling water offers a high return on investment for space life support. Water recycling can also increase mission safety by providing an emergency supply of drinking water, where another supply is exhausted or contaminated.
Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills and WastewaterTBMG-139756/1/2012
Given the size of our planet and its wealth of resources, it is easy to forget that those resources are finite. As Earth’s human population continues to grow, the questions of how to effectively limit and recycle waste, avoid environmental contamination, and make the most of water and fuel reserves become all the more pressing.
Cavitating Jet Method and System for Oxygenation of LiquidsTBMG-138966/1/2012
Reclamation and re-use of water is critical for space-based life support systems. A number of functions must be performed by any such system including removal of various contaminants and oxygenation. For long-duration space missions, this must be done with a compact, reliable system that requires little or no use of expendables and minimal power. DynaJets cavitating jets can oxidize selected organic compounds with much greater energy efficiency than ultrasonic devices typically used in sonochemistry. The focus of this work was to develop cavitating jets to simultaneously accomplish the functions of oxygenation and removal of contaminants of importance to space-structured water reclamation systems.
NASA Water Purification Improves Dental CareTBMG-93183/1/2011
Going to the dentist is always a less-than-welcome experience. However, a water purification technology developed for NASA could lead to a more satisfying end result and cleaner teeth.
2010 Create the Future Design Contest Consumer Products Category WinnerTBMG-879911/1/2010
Water Recovery and Urine Collection in the Russian Orbital Segment of the International Space Station (Mission 1 Through Mission 17)2009-01-24857/12/2009
The paper summarizes the experience gained with the ISS water management system during the missions ISS-1 through ISS-17 (since November 2, 2000, through October 23, 2008). The water supply sources and structure, consumption and supply balance and balance specifics at various phases of space station operation are reviewed. The performance data of the system for water recovery from humidity condensate SRV-K and urine feed and pretreatment system SPK-U in the Russian orbital segment are presented. The key role of water recovery on board the ISS and the need to supplement the station's water supply hardware with a system for water reclamation from urine SRV-U is emphasized. The prospects of regenerative water supply system development are considered.
Bobe, L. S., Kochetkov, A. A., Soloukhin, V. A., Tomashpolskiy, M. Ju., Andreichuk, P. O., Protasov, N. N., Sinyak, Ju. E.
An Optimum Biological Reactor Configuration for Water Recycling in Space2009-01-25647/12/2009
Biological pre-treatment of early planetary/lunar base wastewater has been extensively studied because of its predicted ability to offer equivalent system mass (ESM) savings for long term space habitation. Numerous biological systems and reactor types have been developed and tested for treatment of the generally unique waste streams associated with space exploration. In general, all systems have been designed to reduce organic carbon (OC) and convert organic nitrogen (ON) to nitrate and/or nitrite (NOx -). Some systems have also included removal of the oxidized N in order to reduce overall oxygen consumption and produce additional N2 gas for cabin use. Removal of organic carbon will generally reduce biofouling as well as reduce energy and consumable cost for physiochemical processors. The focus of this paper is to compare the performance achieved by several biological systems as well as their volumetric loading capacities in order to assess the overall efficacy of biological pre-treatment and aid in the selection of optimal bioreactor systems.
Jackson, W. Andrew, Morse, Audra, Landes, Nick, Low, Darryl
Development of a Prototype Water Pump for Future Space Suit Applications2009-01-24507/12/2009
NASA's next generation of space suit systems will place new demands on the pump used to circulate cooling water through the life support system and the crew's liquid cooling garment. Long duration missions and frequent EVA require increased durability and reliability; limited resupply mass requirements demand compatibility with recycled water, and changing system design concepts demand increased tolerance for dissolved and free gas and the ability to operate over a broader range of flow rates and discharge pressure conditions. This paper describes the development of a positive displacement prototype pump to meet these needs. A gerotor based design has been adapted to meet pump performance, gas tolerance, and durability requirements while providing a small, lightweight pump assembly. This design has been detailed and implemented using materials selected to address anticipated water quality and mission needs as a prototype unit for testing in NASA laboratories. Design requirements, pump technology selection and design, performance testing and test results will be discussed.
Hartman, David, Hodgson, Edward, Dionne, Steven, Gervais, Edward, Trevino, Luis
Water Recovery from Wastes in Space Habitats-a Comparative Evaluation of SBIR Prototypes2009-01-23427/12/2009
Water is of critical importance to space missions due to crew needs and the cost of supply. To control mission costs, it is essential to recycle water from all available wastes - both solids and liquids. Water recovery from liquid water wastes has already been accomplished on space missions. For instance, a Water Recycling System (WRS) is currently operational on the International Space Station (ISS). It recovers water from urine and humidity condensate and processes it to potable water specifications. However, there is more recoverable water in solid wastes such as uneaten food, wet trash, feces, paper and packaging material, and brine. Previous studies have established the feasibility of obtaining a considerable amount of water and oxygen from these wastes (Pisharody et al, 2002; Fisher et al, 2008; Wignarajah et al, 2008). This paper summarizes the results of laboratory studies that were conducted to recover water from solid wastes using hardware developed via Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants. The SBIR hardware included a microwave powered freeze drying unit, a microwave powered ambient pressure dryer, and a recirculating hot air dryer. The results are presented and the advantages and disadvantages of each of these technologies are discussed in relation to the potential applications of these units for recovery of water from solid wastes on space missions.
Fisher, John W., Hogan, John A., Delzeit, Lance, Wignarajah, Kanapathipillai, Alba, Ric, Pace, Gregory, Fox, Thomas G
Starship Life Support2009-01-24667/12/2009
The design and mass cost of a starship and its life support system are investigated. The mission plan for a multigenerationai interstellar voyage to colonize a new planet is used to describe the starship design, including the crew habitat, accommodations, and life support. Cost is reduced if a small crew travels slowly and lands with minimal equipment. The first human interstellar colonization voyage will probably travel about 10 light years and last hundreds of years. The required travel velocity is achievable by nuclear propulsion using near future technology. To minimize mission mass, the entire starship would not decelerate at the destination. Only small descent vehicles would land on the destination planet. The most mass efficient colonization program would use colonizing crews of only a few dozen. Highly reliable life support can be achieved by providing selected spares and full replacement systems. Two alternate candidate life support approaches are oxygen and water recycling systems with stored dehydrated food or plants grown to provide food, oxygen, and water recycling. The mass costs of such systems using current technology are estimated and compared. Growing food for starship life support requires more mass than providing dehydrated food, even for multigeneration voyages of hundreds of years. The benefits of growing some food may justify the added mass cost. A system growing half the food is competitive with all dehydrated food. Plant growth technology has much more potential for mass reduction than dehydrated food, and currently projected improvements in plant growing technology could make it competitive. The lowest total mission mass is achieved a relatively low interstellar travel velocities. The life support mass saving on shorter voyages is less than the propulsion mass required to increase velocity. Life support is half the total spacecraft mass without propulsion, but propulsion is one and a half times more massive than the spacecraft, so life support is only twenty percent of the spacecraft plus propulsion mass. A single multigenerationai interstellar voyage to colonize a new planet would have cost similar to that of the Apollo program. We can go to the stars!
Jones, Harry
Prototype BLSS Lunar Greenhouse2009-01-24847/12/2009
The Prototype BLSS Lunar Greenhouse currently in operation at the University of Arizona - Controlled Environment Agriculture Center in Tucson, Arizona is an Advanced Life Support technology demonstration for supporting a sustained human presence at the future lunar science outpost. The focus of the investigation is to demonstrate water recycling, air revitalization, and food production using NASA targeted crops within a semi-closed system utilizing a scaled prototype lunar greenhouse design.
Sadler, Phil, Giacomelli, Gene, Furfaro, Roberto, Patterson, Randy, Kacira, Murat
Water Reclamation Using Spray Drying2009-01-23647/12/2009
Spray drying is a continuous physical separation process where a solution is sprayed into a hot drying medium. The resulting products are dry solute particles and the drying medium bearing the solvent vapor. Using one of several methods the solvent is recovered from the drying medium. The exact nature of the dried solid and recovered solvent depends on the physical and chemical properties of the feed and the design and operation of the dryer. In this paper we discuss progress made on the development of a prototype for advanced life support applications, and provide data on its purification abilities. A system processing 1 kg hr−1 of aqueous brine solution consumes on the order of 1000 W, but this value was strongly tied to other processing parameters such as dryer inlet and exit temperatures and the heating mode. Analysis of recovered water having an initial concentration of 48000 ppm TDS had between 12 and 134 ppm TDS and strongly depended on the processing conditions. Analysis of fluid properties suggested dried particles can be manipulated pneumatically. Alternative heating methods may allow for processing of a vide array of feeds, precision control and high efficiency.
Coppa, N. V., Chandler, K. V.
Investigation of Condensing Ice Heat Exchangers for MTSA Technology Development2009-01-23877/12/2009
Metabolic heat regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) technology is being developed for thermal and carbon dioxide (CO2) control for a Portable Life Support System (PLSS), as well as water recycling. CO2 removal and rejection is accomplished by driving a sorbent through a temperature swing starting at below freezing temperatures. The swing is completed by warming the sorbent with a separate condensing ice heat exchanger (CIHX) using metabolic heat from moist ventilation gas. The condensed humidity in the ventilation gas is recycled at the habitat. Designing a heat exchanger to efficiently transfer this energy to the sorbent bed and allow the collection of the water is a challenge since the CIHX will operate in a temperature range from 210 K to 280 K. The ventilation gas moisture will first freeze and then thaw, sometimes existing in three phases simultaneously. Analyses and experimental work is presented that investigates condensing and icing as applied to MTSA to enable higher fidelity modeling and assess the impact of geometry variables on CIHX performance for future CIHX design optimization.
Padilla, Sebastian, Powers, Aaron, Ball, Tyler, Iacomini, Christine S., Paul, Heather L.
Consumer Products Category WinnerTBMG-50564/1/2009
srv-k Status Aboard the International Space Station During Missions 15 and 162008-01-21916/29/2008
The paper summarizes the experience gained on the ISS water management system during the missions of ISS-1 through ISS-16 (since November 2 2000, through December 31, 2007). The water supply sources and structure, consumption and supply balance at various phases of space station operation are reviewed. The performance data of the system for water recovery from humidity condensate SRV-K and urine feed and pretreatment system SPK-U in the Russian orbital segment are presented. The key role of water recovery on a board the ISS and the need to supplement the station's water supply hardware with a system for water reclamation from urine, water from a carbon dioxide reduction system and hygiene water is shown.
Bobe, L. S., Kochetkov, A. A., Soloukhin, V. A., Andreichuk, P. O., Protasov, N. N., Sinyak, Ju. E.
Performance Assessment of the Exploration Water Recovery System2008-01-21406/29/2008
A new water recovery system architecture designed to fulfill the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Exploration Policy has been tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This water recovery system architecture evolved from the current state-of-the-art system developed for the International Space Station (ISS). Through novel integration of proven technologies for air and water purification, this system promises to elevate existing system optimization. The novel aspect of the system is twofold. First, volatile organic compounds (VOC) are removed from the cabin air via catalytic oxidation in the vapor phase, prior to their absorption into the aqueous phase. Second, vapor compression distillation (VCD) technology processes the condensate and hygiene waste streams in addition to the urine waste stream. Oxidation kinetics dictate that removing VOCs from the vapor phase is more efficient. Treating the various waste streams by VCD reduces the load on the expendable ion exchange and adsorption media which follows, as well as the aqueous-phase catalytic oxidation process further downstream. This paper documents the results of testing this new architecture.
Carter, D. Layne, Tabb, David, Perry, Jay
Lightweight Contingency Water Recovery System Concept Development2008-01-21436/29/2008
The Lightweight Contingency Water Recovery System (LWC-WRS) harvests water from various sources in or around the Orion spacecraft in order to provide contingency water at a substantial mass savings when compared to stored emergency water supplies. The system uses activated carbon treatment (for urine) followed by forward osmosis (FO). The LWC-WRS recovers water from a variety of contaminated sources by directly processing it into a fortified (electrolyte and caloric) drink. Primary target water sources are urine, seawater, and other on board vehicle waters (often referred to as technical waters). The product drink provides hydration, electrolytes, and caloric requirements for crew consumption. The system hardware consists of a urine collection device containing an activated carbon matrix (Stage 1) and an FO membrane treatment element (or bag) which contains an internally mounted cellulose triacetate membrane (Stage 2). All components are light weight disposable plastic, the system is potentially wearable, and it uses no electrical power. When treating urine and other wastewaters containing high levels of organic contaminates this two stage treatment process is required. Seawater and wastewaters containing low levels of organics can be treated for removal of inorganic contaminants (like the salt in seawater) and microorganisms using only the second stage FO membrane element. First year performance testing indicated acceptable flux rates and water recovery percentages over 6 to 12 hours of optimal urine treatment, when using the full system. Some challenges remained in achieving and evaluating acceptable contaminates flux/rejection rates for TOC and nitrogen species in the product; see ICES paper 2007-01-3037 (Gormly and Flynn, 2007). Year 2 work has focused on four basic areas: Characterizing performance of the Stage 2 FO membrane treatment to harvest seawater for use in post landing survival at sea. Researching alternative food product and components for use as the osmotic agent (OA). Pursuing better TOC confirmation in terms of total expected flux/rejection and characterization. In particular, research to confirm (TOC) flux measured in NaCl/ultra-pure water brine product solutions using high chloride compatible analysis methods. Increased nitrogen species control and characterization in the process and product, particularly investigating product side options for urea and/or ammonia nitrogen control. Of these tasks the first is complete, the second and third are in work with substantial data currently available and reported, and the last is in the initial stages of concept development and data collection. Concluding comments and discussion will include a synopsis of seawater, urine and technical water recovery concept development as well as some future options for developing this technology. Initially, the system's urine recycle function is intended for contingency/emergency use only, but will do so at a significant mass savings when compared to contingency water supplies and/or conventional water treatments. LWC-WRS Stage 2 can be exploited to provide emergency utilization of seawater and technical waters. Ultimately, further development of the technology may also provide options for better integration of water recycling into larger habitat component design by including FO membrane elements within the structures.
Gormly, Sherwin, Richardson, Tra-My Justine, Flynn, Michael, Kliss, Mark
NASA Advanced Life Support Systems Group Uses Water Reclamation PrototypeTBMG-228310/1/2007
DynaJets® and DynaSwirl® cavitating jet technologies DynaFlow Jessup, MD 301-604-3688 www.dynaflow-inc.com
Evaluation of a Microgravity Compatible Membrane Bioreactor for Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification2007-01-30947/9/2007
The feasibility of a long-term space mission is partially reliant upon the ability to effectively recycle wastewater. Merged biological and physiochemical processes (integrated water recovery systems (IWRS)) are capable of producing potable water at lower equivalent system mass (ESM) than treatment systems composed of only physiochemical processes. Reducing the ESM of the water recycling units can increase the practicality of extended space missions by decreasing payload weight. In order to lower the ESM of the biological pre-treatment component, a single-stage biological reactor capable of simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal was created by modifying the membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) design. Studies were performed in order to evaluate the water quality performance of this reactor.
Landes, Nicholas, Jackson, W. Andrew, Morse, Audra
Mars Transit Life Support2007-01-31607/9/2007
This paper considers the design of a life support system for transit to Mars and return to Earth. Because of the extremely high cost of launching mass to Mars, the Mars transit life support system must minimize the amount of oxygen, water, and food transported. The three basic ways to provide life support are to directly supply all oxygen and water, or to recycle them using physicochemical equipment, or to produce them incidentally while growing food using crop plants. Comparing the costs of these three approaches shows that physicochemical recycling of oxygen and water is least costly for a Mars transit mission. The long mission duration also requires that the Mars transit life support system have high reliability and maintainability. Mars transit life support cannot make use of planetary resources or gravity. It should be tested in space on the International Space Station (ISS). The oxygen and water recycling systems developed for the ISS are adequate for Mars transit but all have not yet been used on ISS and none were designed for the much higher mass launch costs and reliability requirements of Mars transit. Significant time and development effort, including long duration testing on ISS will be needed to provide the high quality oxygen and water recycling system that is needed for Mars transit.
Jones, Harry, Kliss, Mark
The New Italian Bioregenerative Life Support Program CAB2007-01-30907/9/2007
The Bioregenerative Life Support program CAB (Controllo Ambientale Biorigenerativo) is a key element of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) Medicine & Biotechnology scientific program, set forth in the ASI Activity Plan 2006-2008. The CAB program started in October 2006, under the prime partnership of Thales Alenia Space Italia, with a feasibility study of a controlled biological system, allowing the regeneration of resources and the production of food for life support in long duration missions. Main constituents of the CAB program are (a) higher plants as basic elements for food and oxygen production, CO2 regeneration and water purification via the photosynthetic and leaf transpiration processes, and (b) biological & physico-chemical systems for environmental control, monitoring, power & data distribution, etc. The sectors of technological and scientific concern are practically all the ones typical for life support systems in the frame of long duration human missions, i.e.: Food production, in particular via the cultivation of higher plants, and food management Air regeneration (Production of O2, Removal of CO2, Trace Gas Control) Water regeneration (Urine processing, Gray water processing, Potable water management) Solid waste processing Resources allocation and storage Control of environmental conditions (Thermal-hygrometric, light, pressure, radiation, etc).
Lobascio, C., Lamantea, M., Rampini (*), R., Cotronei, V., Negri, B., De Pascale, S., Maggio, A., Maffei, M., Palumberi, S.
Microfluidic Ion Chromatograph for In-Flight Water Quality Analysis2007-01-31537/9/2007
Although water quality may currently be analyzed on the ground after a flight, long-duration missions will require the capability to perform analyses on-board. If a water purifier fails, contaminants must be detected rapidly and corrective action taken in a timely manner to prevent serious harm to the crew. Many of the possible contaminants which could negatively affect astronaut health are inorganic ions. These ions can be quantified by ion chromatography (IC), although current commercially-available IC's are too large, heavy, and power-intensive to be used on a space mission. These units also require large quantities of caustic chemicals for analysis, which would pose a significant hazard in a microgravity environment. To meet the need for an inorganic water quality analysis device for long-duration missions, Lynntech developed an ion chromatograph tailored for future planned long-duration missions. The entire unit is the size of a shoebox, requires little power, produces anionic and cationic chromatograms simultaneously, and generates the acid and base needed for analysis from benign salt water. Several components were developed specifically for this application over the course of work. A developed microfluidic liquid/gas phase separator performed successfully in microgravity conditions; a syringe pump was developed to provide uniform and repeatable high-pressure flow from a low-power, compact device; and a conductivity detector was designed and implemented with six orders of magnitude in dynamic range, an internal volume of only 0.7 microliters, and an autoranging capability which allows the analysis of both high and low ionic species concentrations in the same sample. The complete system and its measurement capabilities are described in detail.
Ragucci, Tony, Maldonado, Francisco, Raducanu, Marius, Cisar, Alan
The ISS Water Processor Catalytic Reactor as a Post Processor for Advanced Water Reclamation Systems2007-01-30387/9/2007
Advanced water processors being developed for NASA's Exploration Initiative rely on phase change technologies and/or biological processes as the primary means of water reclamation. As a result of the phase change, volatile compounds will also be transported into the distillate product stream. The catalytic reactor assembly used in the International Space Station (ISS) water processor assembly, referred to as Volatile Removal Assembly (VRA), has demonstrated high efficiency oxidation of many of these volatile contaminants, such as low molecular weight alcohols and acetic acid, and is considered a viable post treatment system for all advanced water processors. To support this investigation, two ersatz solutions were defined to be used for further evaluation of the VRA. The first solution was developed as part of an internal research and development project at Hamilton Sundstrand (HS), and is based primarily on ISS experience related to the development of the VRA. The second ersatz solution was defined by NASA in support of a study contract to Hamilton Sundstrand to evaluate the VRA as a potential post processor for the Cascade Distillation system being developed by Honeywell. This second ersatz solution contains several low molecular weight alcohols, organic acids, and several inorganic species. A range of residence times, oxygen concentrations and operating temperatures have been studied with both ersatz solutions to provide additional performance capability of the VRA catalyst.
Nalette, Tim, Snowdon, Doug, Pickering, Karen, Callahan, Michael
Submerged Electrical Discharges for Water Decontamination and Disinfection2007-01-31757/9/2007
A modular and scalable Dense Medium Plasma Water Purification Reactor was developed, which uses atmospheric-pressure electrical discharges under water to generate highly reactive species to break down organic contaminants and microorganisms. Key benefits of this novel technology include: (i) extremely high efficiency in both decontamination and disinfection; (ii) operating continuously at ambient temperature and pressure; (iii) reducing demands on the containment vessel; and (iv) requiring no consumables. This plasma based technology was developed to replace the catalytic reactor being used in the planned International Space Station Water Processor Assembly.
Ma, Yonghui, Thomas, Chris, Remiker, Ross, Manolache, Sorin
Assessment of the Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal (VPCAR) Technology at the MSFC ECLS Test Facility2007-01-30367/9/2007
The Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal (VPCAR) technology has been previously discussed as a viable option for the Exploration Water Recovery System. This technology integrates a phase change process with catalytic oxidation in the vapor phase to produce potable water from exploration mission wastewaters. A developmental prototype VPCAR was designed, built and tested under funding provided by a National Research Announcement (NRA) project. The core technology, a Wiped Film Rotating Device (WFRD) was provided by Water Reuse Technologies under the NRA, whereas Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International performed the hardware integration and acceptance test of the system. Personnel at the Ames Research Center performed initial systems test of the VPCAR using ersatz solutions. To assess the viability of this hardware for Exploration Life Support (ELS) applications, the hardware has been modified and tested at the MSFC ECLS Test Facility. This paper summarizes the hardware modifications and test results and provides an assessment of this technology for the ELS application.
Tomes, Kristin, Long, David, Carter, Layne, Flynn, Michael
Regenerative Total Organic Carbon Analyzer for Long-Duration Missions2007-01-31547/9/2007
Potable and hygiene water availability is a critical requirement for long-duration manned space missions. Frequent water quality testing helps to ensure astronaut health by providing needed feedback on the effectiveness of on-board water purification units. One of the most basic and broad-spectrum indicators of contamination is organic carbon concentration. To meet the need for water quality feedback on the International Space Station (ISS), as well as on planned missions to Luna and Mars, Lynntech is developing a mesofluidic total organic carbon analyzer (TOCA) through the NASA SBIR program. The unit has been designed to operate in the demanding environment of a long-duration manned space mission and addresses the issues of microgravity operation, an operating lifetime of 5 years, low power consumption, simple user interface, robust architecture, and inherent safety. The TOCA design eliminates the need for launching and maintaining large quantities of hazardous chemicals while minimizing equivalent system mass (ESM). Considerable advancements have been made in TOCA development over the past year and are ongoing, including: zero-g flight testing of the liquid-gas phase separators developed for this application, redesign of critical components to increase efficiency and effectiveness, addition of new components to optimize microfluidic mixing and better-define sample volumes, reduction of sample cross-contamination potential, complete system assembly into a rack-mount enclosure, and accelerated life testing of the completed unit.
Ragucci, Tony, Kim, Jinseong, Maldonado, Francisco, Lewis, Brian, Gonzalez-Martin, Anuncia
Corrosion Suppression Technologies and TechniquesTBMG-469312/1/2006
Members of AFRL's Air Force Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (AFCPCO) teamed with corrosion experts from Warner Robins Air Logistics Center to assess environmentally induced damage to systems and equipment subjected to extended operations in Southwest Asia (SWA). The purpose of the ongoing assessment effort is to observe the effects of sand and dust intrusion on Air Force (AF) weapons systems and sensitive support equipment (see figure), analyze sands from various locations, and compare corrosion prevention and control policies and inspection requirements from prewar to present-day operations. As the investigation proceeds, team members are providing progressive and alternative approaches to corrosion prevention and control, wet and dry cleaning, and aircraft maintenance tasks performed in rigorous environmental conditions.
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