Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

1244 WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN SPACE

selected for the space station. The original baseline system

was the Thermoelectric Integrated Membrane Evaporation

Subsystem (TIMES). This was replaced by a new baseline

subsystem which is a combination of multibed filtration

(Unibed) and Vapor Compression Distillation (VCD). These

baseline systems along with many other promising technolo-

gies are described below.

In all cases urine is pretreated immediately upon collec-

tion to minimize bacterial growth and possible damage to

collection and handling equipment. In addition to inhibiting

bacteria, the treatment is intended to control ammonia, sta-

bilize dissolved solids to prevent precipitation, and allow the

overall subsystem to function in a zero-gravity environment.

Present pretreatment comprises the injection of either Oxone

TABLE 1

ECLSS Technologies Used or Evaluated

ECLSS Subsystem Category Used/Evaluated Technology

Atmosphere revitalisation Used LiOH

Used Molecular sieve

Used Sabatier reactor

Used Static feed water electrolysis

Evaluated Solid amine fixed bed

Evaluated Liquid sorbent closed loop

Evaluated Bosch system

Evaluated Algal bioreactor

Evaluated Growing green plants

Trace Contaminant Removal Used Activated charcoal

Used Catalytic oxidiser

Used Particulate filters

Water recovery and management Used* Vapor compression distillation

Used Chlorine

Used Sodium hypochlorite injection

Used Iodine injection

Used Heat sterilisation

Used Fuel cell by-product water

Evaluated* Unibed filter

Evaluated* TIMES membrane filter

Evaluated* Reverse osmosis

Evaluated* Electrodialysis

Evaluated* Electrooxidation

Evaluation* Supercritical water oxidation

Evaluation* Electrodeionisation

Evaluation* Air evaporation

Evaluation* Vapor phase catalytic ammonia removal

Evaluation* Immobilized cell or enzyme bioreactors

Evaluation* Plant transpiration and water recovery

Temperature and humidity control Used Condensing heat exchangers

Used Water cooled suits

Atmosphere control and supply Used Compressed gas storage

Used Cryogenic gas storage

Waste management Used Urine stored in bags

Used Feces stored in bags

Used Urine vented

Used Feces stored in bags and vacuum dried

Used Urine stored in tank and vented

Used Feces stored in bags and compacted

* Described in this paper.

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