DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF A MAN-RATED PHOTOSYNTHETIC EXCHANGER.
Abstract
Algal photosynthesis may be used to provide part of man's expendable needs for life support in long-duration space missions. Feasibility has been demonstrated in model experiments, but the extrapolation of laboratory data to the design of prototype life support systems can only be made within wide limits. The USAF School of Aerospace Medicine has developed a large-scale algal photosynthetic exchanger to study the logistics of operation of a man-rated system. The hardware consists of a closed-loop continuous algal propagator using artificial illumination. Unicellular algae are cultured in aqueous inorganic media, contacted with cabin gas, and exposed to fluorescent light in thin layers. Inputs to the process are carbon dioxide, fresh culture medium, and light energy. The products are oxygen and raw foodstuff in the form of algal harvest. The apparatus is instrumented to monitor and control the important parameters affecting algal growth. Culture density is automatically controlled by a photodiode densitometer which regulates the addition of fresh medium and the harvest of culture. System performance has been tested using three different species of algae. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0700735
Entities
People
- Cara L. Martinez
- George W. Rose Iii
- Hazel E. Wickline
- Herman J. Kilian
- Richard L. Miller
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine