Post-treatment of anaerobically digested residue produced during long term space missions was investigated. Solid waste was anaerobically digested by employing the SEBAC system. One of the goals of post-treatment step is to convert ammonia in the residue to nitrates via biological nitrification processes. It was found that anaerobically digested residue contained nitrifying microorganisms which could be activated by aeration. Without supplying any external nitrifying inoculum, nitrification was initiated within 2 days by continuously blowing air at 15 ml/min. The maximum rate was 0.78 mg /g dry weight /day. However, denitrification process occurred soon after nitrification and ∼ 50% of nitrate was denitrified. A modified system in which aeration was carried out by holding air within the reactor at a pressure of ∼ 10 psi yielded a higher initial specific nitrification rate of 1.7 mg/g dry weight/day. Moreover, nitrification was initiated within a day. Incorporation of an aerobic curing stage in space would increase ESM for a SEBAC system from 1671 kg to 1818 kg, including oxygen consumption and the crew time for this aerobic operation.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Post-Treatment of Anaerobically Digested Solid Waste in Long Term Space Missions


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 2006



    Publication date :

    2006-07-17




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Thermophilic Aerobic Solid Waste Processing for Long-Term Crewed Missions

    Whitaker, D. R. / Alleman, J. E. / American Society of Civil Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Thermophilic Aerobic Solid Waste Processing for Long-Term Crewed Missions

    Whitaker, D. R. / Alleman, J. E. / American Society of Civil Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Modeling and Simulation of the Drying of Cabin Solid Waste in Long-Term Space Missions

    Arquiza, J. M. R. Apollo / Hunter, Jean B. / Morrow, Robert et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2008


    Habitability in long-term space missions

    Mount, Frances E. | NTRS | 1987


    Modeling and Simulation of the Drying of Cabin Solid Waste in Long-Term Space Missions

    Arquiza, J.M.R.A. / Hunter, J.B. / Morrow, R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008