The duration and cost of future human space-flight programs will be influenced by NASA's ability to provide purified water. In an open loop system, water accounts for 87 % (mass) of the total life support resupply requirements. The impact of this requirement upon mission costs is substantial. If it is assumed that an astronaut is allowed about 27 kg of water per day for drinking, showering, and washing both clothes and dishes and that it costs about USD 18000 to move a kilogram of mass into low Earth-orbit, it would cost about 177 million dollars per person per year to supply water to an astronaut in an open-loop system. For long-range missions, such as lunar or Martian outposts and transport vehicles, resupply of metabolic supplies and processor equipment will be infrequent or nonexistent. This paper describes the design specification of the Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal process, the relative benefits of its utilization in space flight, and the design modification which will be required to ensure its proper operation in reduced gravity. In addition, the results of an experimental evaluation of the processors are also presented. The processors performance is presented in terms of product water purity, water recovery rates, and power.


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    Title :

    An evaluation of the vapor phase catalytic ammonia removal process for use in space flight


    Additional title:

    Bewertung der katalytischen Ammoniakabscheidung in der Dampfphase für Raumfahrtzwecke


    Contributors:
    Flynn, M.T. (author) / Borchers, B. (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1996


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 16 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





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