WATER RECOVERY FROM PHYSIOLOGICAL SOURCES FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS
Abstract
The recovery of water from urine and other liquid wastes is reviewed. Various techniques of water recovery are described under the following categories: change of phase (e.g., liquid-solid), membrane, diffusion, and combination (e.g., vapor treatment-distillation) processes. Logistics considerations for manned space systems are discussed. Generally, all water recovery techniques are deficient in one or more factors for space vehicle applications. Some require orientation of space craft, much power, large radiation panels, replaceable parts, complex mechanical design and/or considerable chemical treatment of water. Several processes appear promising, such as vacuum pyrolysis, electrolysis combined with combustion, and freeze drying. Of these, the vacuum pyrolysis method, in which potable water was produced from mixed human wastes and wash water, is operationally the most advanced. Nevertheless, no proce s has been developed that is fully operational at this time. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0285220
Entities
People
- A.p. Hallam
- A.r. Slonim
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory