Development of a gravity-independent wastewater bioprocessor for advanced life support in space.
Operation of aerobic biological reactors in space is controlled by a number of challenging constraints, mainly stemming from mass transfer limitations and phase separation. Immobilized-cell packed-bed bioreactors, specially designed to function in the absence of gravity, offer a viable solution for the treatment of gray water generated in space stations and spacecrafts. A novel gravity-independent wastewater biological processor, capable of carbon oxidation and nitrification of high-strength aqueous waste streams, is presented. The system, consisting of a fully saturated pressurized packed bed and a membrane oxygenation module attached to an external recirculation loop, operated continuously for over one year. The system attained high carbon oxidation efficiencies often exceeding 90% and ammonia oxidation reaching approximately 60%. The oxygen supply module relies on hydrophobic, nonporous, oxygen selective membranes, in a shell and tube configuration, for transferring oxygen to the packed bed, while keeping the gaseous and liquid phases separated. This reactor configuration and operating mode render the system gravity-independent and suitable for space applications.
Nashashibi-Rabah
Majda
M
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA.
Christodoulatos
Christos
C
Korfiatis
George P
GP
D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000378:metabolism; D019149:Bioreactors; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D006112:Gravitation; D008021:Life Support Systems; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012722:Sewage; D013026:Space Flight; D018561:Space Simulation; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012722:Sewage; D002244:Carbon; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen