Technical Paper
Recycling Plant Nutrients at NASA's KSC-CELSS Breadboard Project: Biological Performance of the Breadboard-Scale Aerobic Bioreactor During Two Runs
1995-07-01
951708
Bioregenerative processes for the replenishment of plant nutrients in CELSS are being evaluated. Continuous operation of a breadboard-scale aerobic bioreactor (breadboard-scale aerobic bioreactor, 120 L working volume) has been used successfully to resupply partially the nutrients required for hydroponically grown wheat (4 m2 growing area, 57 days bioreactor operation) and potato (8 m2 growing area, 310 days bioreactor operation). Bioreactor performance, measured by reduction in volatile solids (27 to 37% wheat, ca. 51% potato) and mineralization of biomass C (24 to 37% wheat, 35 to 61% potato), depended on process parameters such as retention time.
