Design and Testing of a Lyophilizer for Water Recovery from Solid WasteMixed liquid/solid wastes, including feces, water processor effluents, and food waste, can be lyophilized (freeze-dried) to recover the water they contain and stabilize the solids remain. Previous research has demonstrated the potential benefits of using thermoelectric heat pumps to build a lyophilizer for processing waste in microgravity. These results were used to build a working prototype suitable for ground-based human testing. This paper describes the prototype design and presents the results of functional and performance tests. Equivalent system mass parameters are calculated, and practical issues such as sanitary waste handling in microgravity are addressed.
Document ID
20050156645
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Litwiller, Eric (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Fisher, John (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Flynn, Michael (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 35th International Conference on Environmental Systems