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A material recycling or circulating system is an essential component of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) in a closed system such as in space, on the moon or in the deep sea. The present study was initiated to establish an optimal design for a microorganism-reactor, so-called compost, for a material circulating system, especially for feces, garbage and sewage in a CELSS. We found that intestinal microorganisms from livestock created the best results for compost from feces, garbage and sewage. In the present experiments, we used two types of bioreactors: one is a solid processor and the other is a liquid processor. Product from both reactors were satisfactory as organic fertilizer for plants in the system.

The efficiency and output of commercial agricultural as it exists today is greatly influenced by natural environmental conditions. Production under a controlled environment such as a Vegetable Factory concept may be considered to overcome these problems. The Modular Growing Component Salad Machine (MGCSM), which was built in 1992, has recently undergone major design changes. Use of red and blue LEDs are being considered to replace high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. This modification can reduce mass, weight and energy consumption. If this growing system can be manufactured at an affordable cost to be used for profitable agricultural production on Earth for growing flavorful, pesticide free, healthier vegetables with minimal labor requirements.

The use of Superheated Steam (SHS) has been known for nearly 100 years. Utilization of SHS has been limited due to lack of technological development and knowledge about its potential application. SHS is achieved by heating the saturated steam to temperatures exceeding 100° C. This research was conducted to investigate the multipurpose applications of superheated steam particularly for cooking, which is an area lacking in technological developments. Even under normal or hypo baric conditions, high thermal energy from combined latent and superheat generated from a carbon-heating element controlled by varying electromagnetic induction. Multiple applications includes instrument sterilization, sterilization and deodorization of air, material recovery, removal of contaminants, induction of chemical reactions and cooking.

A material recycling or circulating system is an essential component of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) in a closed space such as in space, on the moon or in the deep sea. The system is divided into two types: one is a biosystem and other one is a non-biosystem or pure chemical-type. Both have advantages and disadvantages, respectively. In a previous report, we have reported a microalgal culturing system for CO2 elimination and O2 regeneration or a so-called life support sytem, in closed air on the ground by using the photosynthetic alga, Euglena gracilis. z. The present study was initiated to establish an optimal design for a microorganism-reactor for a material circulating system, especially for feces, garbage and sewage in a CELSS. We focused on the microorganisms in the present culturing system. We investigated to find the best microorganisms for a material circulation system that functions effectively in the CELSS.

We have reported that Euglena, a photosynthetic alga, has the ability to grow in a high CO2 atmosphere and yield great biomass due to the induction of chlorophyll biosynthesis under high CO2 conditions. In the present study, we investigated some microalgal culturing systems for CO2 elimination and O2 regeneration in closed air on the ground by using the photosynthetic alga, Euglena gracilis. z. In the first part of our experiments, we focused on the effects of CO2 and light intensity in the present culture system. We investigated to determine the optimum culture conditions for a microalgal culture system that functions effectively in the controlled ecological life support systems (CELSS). We determined the maximum elimination rate under a high concentration of CO2 with stirring of the supply gas by bubbling. We found that the maximum CO2 elimination rate or gas exchange performance under a 10 % concentration of CO2 was about 2.3 times higher than its low concentration of CO2 (0.04 %).