Technical Paper
Measurement of Free and Dissolved Gas Content of Water Samples on Space Station Freedom
1992-07-01
921267
A linear displacement aerometer has been developed for the measurement of the volume percent of free and dissolved gas in water samples. This paper discusses the design and testing of the prototype linear displacement aerometer that was incorporated into the Optical Water Quality Analyzer (OWQA) breadboard, an instrument that is being developed to monitor the quality of water samples on Space Station Freedom. Consumption of liquids containing excessive amounts of free or dissolved gas in microgravity can potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The OWQA aerometer will determine the free and dissolved gas contents of water samples from the Space Station processed water distribution system so that potential health impacts may be assessed prior to consumption.