Browse Topic: Water reclamation

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Pre-Treatment Solution for Water RecoveryTBMG-3959508/01/2021
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.
Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel from the SeaTBMG-3835801/01/2021
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-3801311/01/2020
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-3596802/01/2020
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-3581901/01/2020
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 InstallationsTBMG-3486208/01/2019
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.
Feasibility Study of Portable Water Desalination Systems for Water Contingencies at Remote Navy Installations19AERP08_0708/01/2019
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).
Products of Tomorrow: April 2019TBMG-3416204/01/2019
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.
Pre-Treatment Solution for Water RecoveryTBMG-3416904/01/2019
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.
Ultralight, Scalable, High-Temperature-Resilient Ceramic Nanofiber SpongesTBMG-2752209/01/2017
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-2753409/01/2017
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.
System, Apparatus, and Method for Liquid PurificationTBMG-2686705/01/2017
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.
Researchers Create Customized Proteins from 'Bacterial Builders'TBMG-2596211/20/2016
Researchers from Wyss Institute have revealed a scalable method for building biomaterials from protein structures known as "amyloids." Ongoing work in the lab will focus on fabricating a wide variety of materials, including hydrogels that can interface with the body.
Habitat Water Wall for Water, Solids, and Atmosphere Recycle and ReuseTBMG-2302410/01/2015
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 Loop2014-01-065204/01/2014
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
Wu, Hai, Chen, Wen, Li, Meng-Feng, Wang, Xinlei
Creating New Device Coatings from Cocoa CompoundsTBMG-1714810/01/2013
Researchers at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, discovered that natural products, like green tea leaves, red wine, dark chocolate, and cacao beans could inspire excellent antibacterial coatings. That’s because they all contain polyphenols, naturally occurring plant molecules that defend against bacteria and oxidative damage.
Light-Control Systems Help NASA Go ‘Net Zero’TBMG-1556701/01/2013
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.
Water Treatment Systems for Long SpaceflightsTBMG-1509711/01/2012
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.
Sustainable Technologies Category Winner (Winner of an HP Workstation)TBMG-1516111/01/2012
Bill Zebuhr, Scott Newquist, David Dussault, E. Andrew Condon, Steven Sahagian, Nicholas Wong, Michael Easton, William Burie, Charles Blanchard, and Nicole Sandoval, Aquaback Technologies, Tewksbury, MA
Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills and WastewaterTBMG-1397506/01/2012
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-1389606/01/2012
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.
Micro-Cavity ArraysTBMG-1419503/01/2012
It was not too long ago that basic science lectures began with the three forms of matter: gases, liquids and solids—and somewhere along the line plasmas were occasionally added to the list. But to be precise, a plasma is an ionized gas; thus, a subset of the big three. But this subset has coexisted with the other forms since the Big Bang and actually makes up 99 percent of the universe. It is found in our Sun and all the other stars, and in more down to earth applications such as neon signs, plasma TVs, cathode ray tubes, and the ubiquitous fluorescent light.
Freeing Water From Viruses and BacteriaTBMG-992705/01/2011
Argonide Corporation, a company focused on the research, production, and marketing of specialty nano-materials, was seeking to develop applications for its NanoCeram® fibers. Only 2 nanometers in diameter, these nano aluminum oxide fibers possessed unusual bio-adhesive properties. When formulated into a filter material, the electropositive fibers attracted and retained electronegative particles such as bacteria and viruses in water-based solutions. This technology caught the interest of NASA as a possible solution for improved water filtration in space cabins.
Freeing Water From Viruses and BacteriaTBMG-TB-00992705/01/2011
Argonide Corporation, a company focused on the research, production, and marketing of specialty nano-materials, was seeking to develop applications for its NanoCeram® fibers. Only 2 nanometers in diameter, these nano aluminum oxide fibers possessed unusual bio-adhesive properties. When formulated into a filter material, the electropositive fibers attracted and retained electronegative particles such as bacteria and viruses in water-based solutions. This technology caught the interest of NASA as a possible solution for improved water filtration in space cabins.
NASA Water Purification Improves Dental CareTBMG-931803/01/2011
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.
In-Line Filtration Improves Hygiene and Reduces ExpenseTBMG-651011/01/2009
Water is highly prized in the unforgiving realm of space travel and habitation. Ample water reserves for drinking, food preparation, and bathing would take up an inordinate amount of storage space and infrastructure, which is always at a premium on a vessel or station. Water rationing and recycling are thus an essential part of daily life and operations on the space shuttles and International Space Station (ISS). The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), under continuing development at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, helps astronauts use and reuse their supplies of water.
Consumer Products Category WinnerTBMG-505604/01/2009
Lightweight Contingency Water Recovery System Concept Development2008-01-214306/29/2008
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
Gormly, Sherwin, Richardson, Tra-My Justine, Flynn, Michael, Kliss, Mark
The Analysis of a Modified Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactor for Space Flight Applications2008-01-201606/29/2008
A modified membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (mMABR) was constructed by incorporating two distinct biofilm immobilization media: gas-permeable hollow fiber membranes and high surface area inert bio-media. In order to evaluate the mMABR for space flight applications, a synthetic ersatz early planetary base (EPB) waste stream was supplied as influent to the reactor, and a liquid loading study was conducted at three influent flow rates. On average, percent carbon removal ranged from 90.7% to 93.1% with volumetric conversion rates ranging from 25 ± 3.3 g / m3 d and 95 ± 13.4 g / m3 d. Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification (SND) was achieved in a single reactor. As the liquid loading rate increased from 0.15 mL/min to 0.45 mL/min, the volumetric denitrification rates elevated from 27 ± 3.3 g / m3 d to 65 ± 5.2 g / m3 d. Additionally, it was found that nitrification and denitrification were linearly related with respect to both percent efficiency and volumetric reaction rates. The mMABR
Landes, Nicholas, Jackson, W. Andrew, Morse, Audra
Solid Phase Extraction Mechanistic Studies of the Ag(I)-DMABR Complex: Improving Efficiency of the C-SPE Standard Method of Analysis2008-01-220006/29/2008
Aqueous silver(I) is added at trace levels (0.1 – 1.0 mg/L) to spacecraft potable water as a biocide. Development of a method that can be deployed on orbit and in future Lunar and Mars missions is therefore central to maintenance of safe drinking water and crew health. To address this need, our laboratory has created an analytical technique that couples a selective sorption process based on solid phase extraction (SPE) with the quantitative measurement of the extract by a hand-held diffuse reflection spectrophotometer. This technique, referred to as colorimetric-solid phase extraction (C-SPE), enables the low level detection (limit of detection ∼5 ppb) of silver(I) by metering 1.0 mL of a water sample through a reagent-impregnated (i.e., 5-(p-dimethyl-aminobenzylidene)rhodanine, DMABR) SPE membrane. The total workup time for the analysis is only 60-90 s. Moreover, the effectiveness of this method has been demonstrated by microgravity simulations through comparisons to concurrent ground
Siperko, Lorraine M., Porter, Marc D., Lipert, Robert J.
NASA Advanced Life Support Systems Group Uses Water Reclamation PrototypeTBMG-228310/01/2007
DynaJets® and DynaSwirl® cavitating jet technologies DynaFlow Jessup, MD 301-604-3688 www.dynaflow-inc.com
The ISS Water Processor Catalytic Reactor as a Post Processor for Advanced Water Reclamation Systems2007-01-303807/09/2007
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
Nalette, Tim, Snowdon, Doug, Pickering, Karen, Callahan, Michael
Microfluidic Ion Chromatograph for In-Flight Water Quality Analysis2007-01-315307/09/2007
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
Ragucci, Tony, Maldonado, Francisco, Raducanu, Marius, Cisar, Alan
Education Payload Operations Kit C: A Miniature, Low ESM Hobby Garden for Space-Based Educational Activities2007-01-306707/09/2007
The wonder of space exploration is a sure way to catch the attention of students of all ages, and space biology is one of many sciences critical to understanding the spaceflight environment. Many systems used in the past for space-to-classroom biology activities have required extensive crew time and material resources, making space-linked education logistically and financially difficult. The new Education Payload Operations Kit C (EPO Kit C) aims to overcome obstacles to space-linked education and outreach by dramatically reducing the resources required for educational activities in plant space biology that have a true spaceflight component. EPO Kit C is expected to be flown from STS-118 to the International Space Station in June 2007. NASA and several other organizations are currently planning an outreach program to complement the flight of EPO Kit C.
Morrow, R. C., Iverson, J. T., Manzke, R. C., Tuominen, L. K., Neubauer, J. D.
Development of Vapor-Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal SystemTBMG-179405/01/2007
A report describes recent accomplishments of a continuing effort to develop the vapor-phase catalytic ammonia removal (VPCAR) process for recycling wastewater for consumption by humans aboard a spacecraft in transit to Mars. The VPCAR process is implemented by a system of highly integrated design in which some power consumption is accepted as a cost of minimizing the volume and mass of a wastewater-processing system and eliminating the need to resupply water. The core of the system is a wiped-film rotating-disk (WFRD) evaporator, which removes inorganic salts and nonvolatile organic compounds from the wastewater stream and concentrates these contaminants into a recycle-and-bleed stream. The WFRD evaporator is also part of a subsystem that distills water from the wastewater stream. This subsystem operates in a vacuum-vapor/compression distillation configuration in the temperature range from 20 to 65 °C. Volatile organic compounds and ammonia, distilled along with water, are oxidized to
Corrosion Suppression Technologies and TechniquesTBMG-469312/01/2006
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.
Alternative Physical and System Architectures for Membrane Based Advanced Regenerative Space Life Support System Water Processing2006-01-208307/17/2006
This study introduces new concepts in the function and placement of membrane based water treatment processes in Exploration Life Support (ELS) System design. These differences are in both form and function and have the potential to radically alter the current paradigms of thought within the ELS research community with regards to the limitations of conventional membrane water treatment. More importantly, they have the potential to change the placement of water processing by quite literally moving it “out of the box”, or in the case of ELS, the standard rack volume. Two possible systems, extremely small scale personal urine treatment and recycle (CEV Lightweight Contingency Water Treatment) and a similar but scaled up habitat wall embedded membrane water treatment pouch, are used to demonstrate the concepts involved. This work presents current membrane technology as an engineered material that can utilize a number of different treatment system architectures to achieve quite different
Gormly, Sherwin, Flynn, Michael
Carbon Production in Space from Pyrolysis of Solid Waste2006-01-218307/17/2006
Pyrolysis processing of solid waste in space will inevitably lead to carbon formation as a primary pyrolysis product. The amount of carbon depends on the composition of the starting materials and the pyrolysis conditions (temperature, heating rate, residence time, pressure). Many paper and plastic materials produce almost no carbon residue upon pyrolysis, while most plant biomass materials or human wastes will yield up to 20-40 weight percent on a dry, as-received basis. In cases where carbon production is significant, it can be stored for later use to produce CO2 for plant growth. Alternatively it can be partly gasified by an oxidizing gas (e.g., CO2, H2O, O2) in order to produce activated carbon. Activated carbons have a unique capability of strongly absorbing a great variety of species, ranging from SO2 and NOx, trace organics, mercury, and other heavy metals. Activated carbons can also be used for gas storage and gas separations, including systems of practical interest to NASA (e.g
Serio, Michael A., Kroo, Erik, Wójtowicz, Marek A., Suuberg, Eric M., Wignarajah, Kanapathipillai, Fisher, John
Principles of Express Instrumental Control of Total Toxicity of Environmental Objects and Their Realization in Space Conditions2006-01-226007/17/2006
To control total toxicity of environmental objects the principal new approach based on the determination of the chemiluminescence (ChL) level from living medium of 5 Daphnia’s is proposed. The exited ChL of the medium was registered by the special stationary or portable optrode devices in the presence of luminol and hydrogen peroxide. Deviations of ChL values from initial levels were in compliance with intensity of toxic effect indicating a dependence on source of toxic substances. The efficiency of the developed method for the control of water purification process from number of surface-active substances was studied. The sensitivity of the analysis by Daphnia ChL biotest was about 5–10 mg of Triton X-100 per liter of water. The developed method was much more sensitive and demanded much less time for its fulfillment then the standard method based on the Daphnia immobilization.
Starodub, N. F., Nazarenko, V. I., Ivashkevich, S. P., Goncharuk, V. V., Klimenko, N. A.
International Space Station Water Usage Analysis2006-01-209407/17/2006
The International Space Station (ISS) supplies and recycles water. Until the water system loop is closed with 100 percent recycling, monitoring water usage on-orbit is critical. The water supply on-orbit is monitored to stay above the skip cycle. If the rate is higher than predicted, then the water supply may become too low to support the crew. Both U.S. and Russian water experts use the water usage rate to determine the quantity of water to be re-supplied on each vehicle. The paper provides an overview of the ISS water system. It discusses the newly revised water balance. The paper describes the methodology used to calculate water usage rates. The analysis provides the water usage rates for each Expedition crew. The analysis compares these results to the consumable reports and the Russian water expert reports. The paper provides a discussion of the results of the various usage rates. It provides the most accurate methods for assessing water usage.
Philistine, Cynthia L., Kulhanjian, Ara
Effect of Light Intensity and Temperature on Yield of Salad Crops for Space Exploration2005-01-282007/11/2005
The candidate crops that have been considered by NASA for providing moderate quantities of supplemental food for crew's consumption during near term or long duration missions include minimally processed “salad” species. Lettuce (cv. Flandria), radish (cv. Cherry Bomb II) and green onion (cv. Kinka) plants were grown under cool-white fluorescent (CWF) lamps with light intensities of 8.6, 17.2, or 25.8 mol m−2 d−1, at air temperatures of 25 and 28 °C, 50% relative humidity, and 1200 µmol mol−1 CO2. Following 35 days growth, final edible mass yields were recorded. All three species grown at 25 °C showed an increase in edible fresh mass and growth rates as light intensity increased. When grown at 28 °C however, the edible fresh mass and crop growth rate of radish, lettuce and onion was significantly reduced at all light intensities when compared to yields at 25 °C. Overall, results indicated that all three crops were sensitive to changes in light intensity and temperature. Therefore
Richards, Jeffrey T., Edney, Sharon L., Yorio, Neil C., Stutte, Gary W., Sisko, Matthew D., Cranston, Nate, Wheeler, Raymond M.
Development of New Detection Schemes Using Colorimetric-Solid Phase Extraction for Formaldehyde and other Trace Organic Contaminants in Water2005-01-306307/11/2005
Space exploration by humans requires maintenance of an adequate potable water supply. Biocide levels must therefore be kept within allowable limits to prevent bacterial growth without causing adverse effects on crew health. Likewise, contaminants such as heavy metals and toxic organic compounds must be held at or below acceptable limits. Currently, spacecraft water quality analyses are performed on samples collected on the International Space Station and returned to Earth. Several months, however, can pass between sample collection and analysis, which may compromise sample integrity due to degradation. These delays also inhibit implementation of real time correction scenarios. There is, therefore, a critical need for rapid, on-board methods for monitoring trace quantities of several analytes in spacecraft drinking water supplies. We have previously described methods for monitoring the biocides iodine (I2) and silver(I), as well as the heavy metals nickel(II) and lead(II), by
Hazen-Bosveld, April A., Lipert, Robert J., Fritz, James S., Porter, Marc D.
International Space Station Water Usage Analysis2005-01-283607/11/2005
The International Space Station (ISS) recycles water. The crew water usage is tracked by Expedition to ensure that there is enough water. The Water Use for Oxygen Generation paper [1] presented at ICES in 2004 is updated as part of this water usage analysis. The analysis will determine how much water each crewmember is consuming for drinking water and hygiene. The analysis will determine how much water has been used for oxygen generation. In addition, the analysis will show how the water usage evolved for each Expedition. The analysis will also compare theses results to the consumable reports and the Russian water expert reports.
Philistine, Cynthia L.
Using Reinforcement Learning to Control Life Support Systems2004-01-243907/19/2004
Advanced life support systems have many interacting processes and limited resources. Controlling and optimizing advanced life support systems presents unique challenges that are addressed in this paper. We have developed a controller using reinforcement learning [Barto&Sutton], which actively explores the space of possible control strategies, guided by rewards from a user specified long term objective function. We evaluated this controller using Biosim, our discrete event simulation of an advanced life support system. This simulation supports all life support modules including crew, food production, air revitalization, water recovery, solid waste incineration and power. Our algorithm for reinforcement learning discovered unobvious strategies for maximizing mission length. By exploiting nonlinearities in the simulation dynamics, the learned controller outperforms a controller designed by an expert.
Klein, Theresa, Subramanian, Devika, Kortenkamp, David, Bell, Scott
High-Flux, Low-Fouling Membrane System for Wastewater Recycle in Space Missions2004-01-246407/19/2004
This study evaluates the use of microfiltration (MF), low pressure RO (LPRO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for use in a treatment train for recycled wastewater. Specifically, a MF membrane will act as pretreatment for RO/NF membranes. Contaminants of concern for the membrane system include biosolids and surfactant micelles for the MF membrane, and ammonium ions, urea, surfactant monomers, and salts for the RO/NF system. These contaminants will be reduced to meet existing EPA and NASA standards using these membrane systems. The goal is to achieve high removal rates (>95% for these contaminants) while maintaining high flux and low fouling of the membranes, as membrane treatment is the last treatment step before final disinfection of the recycled wastewater. This paper outlines the experimental plan for designing the integrated membrane system and explains the potential benefits of such a system.
Jones, Kimberly L., Leevy, Joffrey, LaHee, Samantha
Life Test Validation of Life Support Hardware in CONCORDIA Antarctic base2004-01-235207/19/2004
Given the constraints of the current launchers, manned exploration beyond LEO implies long time missions, a high mass of metabolic consumables and consequently regenerative life support technologies developments. To validate their efficiency, as well as their reliability, these technologies need to be tested in the most analog conditions (i.e. isolation, limited spare part, …). A large number of these conditions are met in the new permanent French-Italian settlement called Concordia, currently being built in the Antarctic continent. Over the last 15 years, ESA developed regenerative life support technologies. Two of these technologies: a Grey Water Treatment Unit and a Black Water Treatment Unit are currently assembled at the size of 15 to 70 persons to fulfill the Concordia crew needs The first technology is a multi step filtration system and will recycle the shower, washing machine, dish washer and cleaning water. The second technology, issued of MELiSSA project development, is
Lasseur, C., Angerer, O., Schmitt, D., Rebeyre, P., Amblard, P., Lasserre, J. C., Demey, D., Doulami, F., Michel, N.
Surfactant Biodegradation for Application to Advanced Life Support Water Recycling Systems2004-01-251307/19/2004
Complete reuse of graywater will be essential during long duration human space missions. The highest loaded and most important component to remove from graywater is surfactant, the active ingredient in soaps and detergents. When considering a biological treatment system for processing of graywater, surfactant biodegradability becomes a very important consideration. Surfactants should be chosen that are degraded at a fast rate and yield inconsequential degradation byproducts. Experiments conducted for this research examined the biodegradation of the surfactants in Pert Plus for Kids, disodium cocoamphodiacetate (DSCADA) and sodium laureth-3 sulfate (SLES), using respirometry. Rates of CO2 production, or ultimate degradation, are reported. DSCADA was found to be toxic to bacteria when present at 270 ppm whereas no toxicity was observed during experiments with SLES. Several surfactants were identified that may be encountered in a biological graywater treatment system including SLES
Sharvelle, Sybil, Banks, M. Katherine, Maloney, Erin
Evaluation of Performance of Five Parallel Biological Water Processors2004-01-251507/19/2004
A series of studies examined bacterial diversity and consortial stability in an anoxic bioreactor and correlated diversity and stability with functional performance, mechanical reliability, and stability. The evaluation was divided into four studies. During Study 1, replicate biological water processor (BWP) systems were operated to evaluate variability in the microbial diversity over time as a function of the initial consortia used for inoculation of the BWP reactors. Study 2 was designed to investigate the impact of an inoculum source on BWP performance. Study 3 was a modification of Study 2 where the primary focus was BWP performance and consortia change from inoculation until steady state operations. In Study 4, the reactors were divided into three different operational periods, based on the operational periods of the integrated water recovery test at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 2001. Differences in sources of inoculum can play a part in the overall efficiency of organic
Vega, Leticia M., Kerkhof, Lee, McGuinness, Lora, Pickering, Karen D.
Modeling a Biological Closed Loop Water Recycling System for Prolonged Manned Space Flight2004-01-251107/19/2004
For prolonged manned spaceflight, recycling of wastewater is critical to minimize payload costs. We have constructed a pilot-scale, closed-loop water recycling system (CLWRS). Due to slow process dynamics, evaluation of multiple experimental scenarios is very time-consuming. To accelerate evaluation, we have developed mathematical models of the individual reactors, as well as a process model of the pilot plant, which combines nitrification, denitrification, recycle, and degassing steps. The simulation accurately reproduces the 35% total nitrogen (TN) reduction observed experimentally at a 20/1 recycle ratio. Both experiments and simulations indicate that biological CLWRS have significant potential for long-duration manned space flight.
Xia, Shu, Carey, Alison, Wiesner, Theodore F., Morse, Audra, Jackson, Andrew
Complementary Disinfection (UV Irradiation and Iodination) for Long-term Space Missions: Preliminary System Design2004-01-251607/19/2004
As part of the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training for Advanced Life Support (NSCORT-ALS) at Purdue University, a complementary disinfection process, which uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the primary disinfectant and iodine as the secondary, residual disinfectant, is being developed. UV radiation was selected as the primary disinfectant because it is effective at inactivating a broad spectrum of microorganisms and has minimal potential for the formation of disinfection byproducts. Iodine, which is effective at inactivating many microorganisms and is less likely to react and form disinfection byproducts than other halogens, was selected as the residual disinfectant because it has the potential for dual use as an on-line UV monitor, as well as a disinfectant.
Pennell, Kelly L., Blatchley, Ernest R.
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