title: Next generation physico-chemical systems for water reclamation aboard spacecraft, lunar and planetary habitats.
abstract: The extent to which bioregenerative processes will be incorporated into future life support systems is not known. Until biologically based processes reach a higher state of readiness, more advanced physico-chemical systems will be required that are capable of reliable operation for long periods with a minimal resupply penalty by minimizing the requirement for expendables. Water reclamation systems must perform three primary functions: 1) removal of suspended solids, 2) removal of dissolved contaminants, 3) and control of microbial growth. In this article, regenerable physico-chemical systems capable of performing these tasks are discussed. These systems may be appropriate for near-term deployments such as a space station retrofit, a lunar outpost, or a Mars transit vehicle.
authors.affiliation: UMPQUA Research Company, Myrtle Creek, OR 97457, USA. atwaterj@ccmail.orst.edu
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Atwater
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Akse
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005374:Filtration; D008021:Life Support Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016081:Moon; D016083:Planets; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide