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Technical Paper

An Integrated Approach to Bioreactor Technology Development for a Regenerative Life Support Primary Water Processor

1994-06-01
941397
Development of bioreactor technology for a regenerative life support primary water processor is ongoing by a team, composed of NASA and major aerospace companies, using a concurrent integrated approach. This approach consists of performing small-scale reactor experimental investigations, large-scale experimental studies, and computer modeling efforts on both the bioprocessor subsystem level and on the integrated water recovery system level. Bench-top experimental studies are aimed at developing an understanding of the biological process and the effect of key parameters on the process, determining the operational envelope for the regenerative life support application, and addressing process control issues. The large-scale experimental studies, in which a bioprocessor is one subsystem of an overall water recovery system, address the full-scale system integration and operational issues.
Technical Paper

Immobilized Cell Bioreactors for Water Reclamation: Process Stability and Effect of Reactor Design

1992-07-01
921277
Immobilized cell bioreactor (ICB) technology is being investigated under a multiyear, company-funded program to evaluate its applicability as a primary water processor for treatment of wastewater streams in a regenerative life support system (RLSS). Biological wastewater treatment methods may offer several advantages for long-duration space missions. Most contaminants found in life support wastewater can be aerobically converted by microorganisms to simple chemical molecules, such as carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, and nitrate. Thus, one unit could process several, possibly all, wastewater streams. This type of biochemical process can be operated at or near ambient temperature and pressure, requiring very little energy. In addition, bioreactor configurations are relatively simple. The objective of this paper is to describe two aspects of the ongoing ICB research: 1) performance stability over an extended time period, and 2) new reactor designs.
Technical Paper

Development of Immobilized Cell Bioreactor Technology for Water Reclamation in a Regenerative Life Support System

1991-07-01
911503
Immobilized microbial cell bioreactor technology is being investigated under a company-funded program to evaluate its applicability as a primary water processor for treatment of wastewater streams in a regenerative life support system. Incorporating biological wastewater treatment methods, as either a primary processor or a trace contaminant polisher, may offer several advantages over use of physicochemical processing methods alone, for long-duration space missions. Most contaminants found in a life support wastewater stream can be biologically converted to simple molecules. This occurs at near ambient temperature and pressure, requiring very little energy. In addition, bioreactor configurations are relatively simple, compared to physicochemical processes. One of the major benefits of using an immobilized cell bioreactor as a primary processor in a regenerative life support system is that such a unit could process several, and possibly all, of the wastewater streams.
Technical Paper

Characterization of Metal Oxide Absorbents for Regenerative Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Removal for Advanced Portable Life Support Systems

1990-07-01
901431
In several previous studies, metal-oxide-based absorbents have been investigated as a regenerative means of removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from recycled breathing gas in an astronaut portable life support system (PLSS). In most cases, the significant effect of water vapor on the successful absorption of CO2 was noted. Under an ongoing NASA-funded program, parametric studies have been conducted to characterize the performance of a silver-oxide-based absorbent, developed by Allied-Signal researchers, in terms of its ability to remove both gaseous CO2 and water vapor. This phenomenon is highly desirable and could lead to a much simplified PLSS. These studies included an investigation of the effects of preconditioning the absorbent, the effects of cooling the absorbent bed, and the impact of various levels of inlet CO2 and water vapor partial pressures.
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