Search Results

The cascaded distiller CD5 is a 5-stage, rotary vacuum distiller developed jointly by Honeywell International (USA) and Thermodistillation Co. (Kiev, Ukraine) for processing of human urine and other streams of waste water onboard a spacecraft during long-duration missions. Initial performance testing of the first model of the distiller CD5-1 was conducted at the Thermodistillation laboratory in Kiev in 1999. Results of testing demonstrated superior performance of the machine, but also indicated that performance could be improved. This paper reports on performance of the next generation of the distiller, CD5-2, which is an improved model of the cascaded distiller CD5-1.

Vacuum rotary distillation is an attractive technology for water recovery from wastewater onboard a human crewed spacecraft that includes human urine and reverse osmosis brine. To reduce specific energy consumption while purifying water in the vacuum rotary distillation technology, multistage distillations, as well as thermoelectric heat pumps, are used. A theoretical approach to the calculation of the optimal number of distillation stages is given. Test results are given for a new five-stage cascaded distiller in a system with a thermoelectric heat pump. These results include the performance parameters of the system and the water quality of the product for the process of water recovery from solutions of NaCl and human urine.

The character of the distiller's changes basic parameters during the complete cycle of treatment (concentrating) 5 l urine with increasing of salt content in urine from 4% from starting cycle up to 50% in ending cycle is shown. The data of distiller productivity, maximum urine temperature in circuit for heating, salt content in the circuit for concentrating, specific energy consumption on the distillate production and coefficient of thermal efficiency of heat pump (thermoelectric battery) during all cycle from distiller starting up to its stopping are shown. The starting and stopping of the distiller performances, distiller run-up time from start till stationary condition of operation, the complete time for stop of distiller from the thermoelectric battery switching off and the stopping of feeding liquid were investigated.

Water recovery is an essential capability for long-term space missions because potable water is a vital resource. Wastewater, especially human urine, contains mineral salts that must be removed if the recycled water is to become potable. This paper addresses secondary water processors using distillation. These processors are elements of a complete water recovery system and are used to recover water from urine and brines. Most of the previous work on distillation processors has been devoted to the processing of urine. The most successful urine processors use rotary vacuum distillation. Vacuum rotary distillation is the process of distillation at reduced pressure in a rotating apparatus. This provides for operation at reduced temperatures and operation in zero-gravity, both of which are desirable for space flight applications.