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Lyophilization for Water Recovery From Solid WasteThis abstract describes the development of a solid waste treatment system designed for a near term human exploration mission. The technology being developed is an energy- efficient lyophilization technique that recovers water from spacecraft solid waste. In the lyophilization process water in an aqueous waste is frozen and then sublimed, resulting in the separation of the waste into a dried solid material and liquid water. This technology is ideally suited to applications where water recovery rates approaching 100% are desirable but production of CO, is not. Water contained within solid wastes accounts for approximately 3% of the total water balance. If 100% closure of the water loop is desired the water contained within this waste would need to be recovered. To facilitate operation in microgravity thermoelectric heat pumps have be used in place of traditional fluid cycle heat pumps. A mathematical model of a thermoelectric lyophilizer has been developed and used to generate energy use and processing rate parameters. The results of laboratory investigations and discussions with ALS program management have been used to iteratively arrive at a prototype design. This design address operational limitations which were identified in the laboratory studies and handling and health concerns raised by ALS program management. The current prototype design is capable of integration into the ISS Waste Collection System.
Document ID
20040043713
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Flynn, Michael
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Litwiller, Eric
(Stanford Univ.)
Reinhard, Martin
(Stanford Univ.)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
General
Meeting Information
Meeting: Habitation 2004
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: January 4, 2004
End Date: January 7, 2004
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 131-20-10-26
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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