Viewgraphs on Johnson Space Center Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) research and technology program overview are presented. Topics covered include: advancements in electrochemical CO2 removal; supercritical water waste oxidation; electrooxidation for post-treatment of reclaimed water; and photocatalytic post-treatment of reclaimed water

Behrend, A. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Technology for Space Station
Evolution Workshop
¢j1
== JSC ECLSS R&T Proqram Overview
Dallas, TX A.F. Behrend _ "_,
January 16-19, 1990 NASA - JSC -_'__'_ "
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19930018536 2020-03-17T05:45:41+00:00Z
JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas '
Technology for Space Station Crewand Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend 11-16-90
Content
• Advancementsin ElectrochemicalCO2 Removal
• SupercriticalWaterWasteOxidation
• Electrooxidation for Post-treatment of Reclaimed Water
= • PhotocatalyticPost-Treatmentof ReclaimedWater
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JohnsonSpaceCenter- Houston,Texas
I Technologyfor Space Station Crew and Thermal SystemsDivisionEvolution Workshop A.F. Beh end I 1-16-90
Advancements in Electrochemical CO2 Removal
Objective
• Investigate and develop fundamental process enhancements in electrochemical
CO2 removal
Benefit
c_
• Improveperformanceand reliability
- CO2 removalefficiencyimprovement(5-10%improvementachieved)
- Cell compositionimprovement
- Hydrogenfeed elimination
JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for SpaceStation CrewandThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend 1-16-90
Advancements in Electrochemical CO2 Removal
Technical Description
• Air passes through electrochemical cell where CO2 is absorbed at cathode and
evolved at anode
• ElectrochemicalCO2removalwith hydrogenutilizes alkaline hydrogen/oxygenfuel
cell reaction
- 02 from airsuppliedat cathodewhere CO2is absorbed
- H2 suppliedat anodewhere CO2 is evolved
- CO2 reactswith hydroxylions(OH")tOform carbonateand bicarbonateions
( CO3 = and HCO" ) which migrateto anode where heat energyfrom the fuel
cell reactionreleasesthe CO2
- Half-cell reactionsat bothelectrodesare thermodynamicallyspontaneous
- Processgenerateselectricity
• Same processcan be carried out withoutsupply of hydrogen
- Seriesof reactionsnot spontaneous
- Powermustbe supplied(approximately105W/perperson)
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston.Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Advancements in Electrochemical CO2 Removal
€'()_= Transfer: 2CO2 + 21I2 + 20 2 --m 21120 + 2CO2 + Etecuiceo*er+ Heat
!!C()3" Transfer:2CO2 + 112 + 1/202 _ 2CO2 + 1120 + Elcclric Power + IlealSchematic
Dower I0
purIfIed External ,,-'_ H2/C02 to Vent or C02 Reduction
Air Coolant
Cathode Reacttons
Anode React Ions
Air With C02 _ Liquid Coolant
H21C02 from
Other Cells
Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Removal with Hydrogen
Johnson.SpaceCenter - Houston.Texas
Technology for SpaceStation CrewandThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Advancements in Electrochemical CO2 Removal
CO3: Transfer: CO2 + t/202-_ CO2 + 11202
i!CO3- Transfer: 2CO2 + tf202 _ 2CO2 + 1/202
Schematic ,--,._o_,co2toventofco2.e_tlo.
Power from Coolant
Purified Air External Source
O_
0 Calhode J Anode React Ions
React Ions
Air With C02 -- Liquid Coolant.
02/CO2 from
Otner Cells
Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Removal without ltydrogen
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technologyfor SpaceStation Crew and Thermal Systems Division,
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Advancementsin ElectrochemicalCO2 Removal
Status
• Programwith Life Systems,Inc./TexasA&M; Initiated in December1987
• 2 year PhaseI to investigateand developfundamentalprocessenhancements
- Literaturereviewto identifyareas of study for improvedperformanceand
operationalflexibility
- Bench-scalelaboratorytesting of cell componentsto identifybest candidates¢J1
for integrated testing
- Singlecell unit design,fabrication,and testing
• Singlecell testingbeingcompletednow
• 1 year PhaseII for multi-cellunit design,fabrication,and test
JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and ThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Advancements in Electrochemical CO2 Removal
Results
• Determined optimum electrocatalyst loading and binding agent content for gas
diffusion electrodes
• Developed an improved electrode fabrication method using ultrasonic device for
the dispersion of gas diffusion electrode components
= Proved that the electrolyte matrix thickness can be reduced to half of the
baseline matrix thickness for improved performance without sacrificing the
differential pressure capability
• Identified and developed electrode materials for the anode of the "without
hydrogen" electrochemical CO2 removal cell
FY90Activity
• Documentationof Phase I Results
• Initiation of Phase II Multi-cell Unit Design and Fabrication
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and ThermalSystemsDivision,
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend 1-16-90
SupercriticalWaterWaste Oxidation
Objective
• Expandthe fundamentalunderstandingof the SCWOwaste treatmentprocess
• Determinereactionmechanismsand effect of SCWO processvariables
(temperature,residencetime, feed concentration,pressure) for simple
compounds- methane,ammonia,etc.
o= . Determinemechanismof reactionresidue(salt) formation - rate, temperature,
etc.
JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend J1-16-90
SupercriticalWaterWaste Oxidation
Benefit
• Systemand crewwaste approximately6-8 Ib/person-day
(approximately0.25 ft3/person-day)
• SCWOprocesspotentially
c_ 3 3
oo - Reduces waste storage (35 ft reduced to approximately0.1 ft )
- Producesexcesswater
o Enhancedhygiene
o Radiationprotectionsupplement
o EVAsupport
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for __.-_naceStation CrewandThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
Supercritical WaterWaste Oxidation
TechnologyDescription
• SCWOprocessconvertsorganic waste (feces, urine, trash) to carbondioxide
nitrogen,andwater
• Processoperationabove the water critical point ( 3200 psia,705 °F;
218 atm, 374 °C)
= . Organicmaterialis oxidizedleaving reactionresidue in the form of salts and
oxides
• Processdependsupon containmentand removalof reactionash
Status
• M.I.T.grantin final phase
- September1987 to September1990
• Focusuponreactionkineticsand salt formationwith analysisand experimental
results
HUMAN WASTETREATMENTAND RECYCLE
BYOXIDATION IN SUPERCRITICALWATER (SCW)
(MODAR PROCESS)
PROCESS STEPS
HUMANWASTE
-meta_h¢wastes MIT FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
..otherw_tewater
[HOMOGENIZATIONJ KINETICSTUDIES
Oxfdatlonof model compounds
I PRESSURIZATIONI .Ammonia
'_ C -- .Hydrocazt_ns
_._ PREHEAT rl -_¢oho15
Oxidant--_ ½ .Mixture8SCWOXIDATION _ GlobaJkinetic modelsFuel /
(H=orN_) _ Elementaryreactionmodels
SaJt_._ SALTSEPARATIONJ" - I
JHEATRECOVERYI-_ SALTSTUDIES
COz_ GAS/LIQUID " / NucleationemdGrowtl'lK]netJ¢_l
N= _ SEPARATION J S_lul_llltyof saJ_ Insew
_' -SodiumChloride
[OEPRI::;SSUR'ZAT'ION J "-Mixed sal_s
CO=_'_ GAS/LIQUID "In situ".I.Jg_tScatteringExp..SEPARATION -HighPressureandt
Teml_eratureOpticalCell
PureH=04.-_ IONEXCHANGE 1
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JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crewand Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend [ 1-16-90
Supercritical Water Waste Oxidation
Results
• Reaction kinetics
- Expanded experimentsal capability to 700 °C, 300 atm
- Measurementof kineticsand correlationto analyticalmodelsfor carbon
monoxide,ethanol,methanol,methane, ammonia,ammonia/ethanol,
carbonmonoxide/ethanol
I--L
• Salt formation
- Completedtest apparatusassemblyand initial checkoutwith water
- Initiatedpreliminarysodiumchloride experiments
- Progressingwith numericalmodeling of salt mixingand precipitation
FY90Activity
• Completesalt nucleationand preciptiationexperimentsand modeling
• Expandkineticdatabaseto examinepressurevariation,alternateoxidants,
dissolvedsalts, heat transfer rate
JohnsonSpace Center* Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crewand ThermalSystemsDivision JEvolution Workshop A.F. Beh end 11-16-90
ELECTROOXIDATIONFOR POST-TREATMENTOF RECLAIMEDWATER
OBJECTIVE
• DEMONSTRATEFEASIBILITYOF ELECTROOXIDATIONTECHNIQUEFOR
POST-TREATMENTOF RECLAIMEDWASTEWATERS(DISTILLATES,
PERMEATESAND HUMIDITYCONDENSATES)FOR POTABLEAND HYGIENE
USAGE
O_
t_o
BENEFITS
• NEWCOMPETINGTECHNOLOGYFOR PURIFYINGRECLAIMEDWASTEWATERS
• NO EXPENDABLES
• REMOVESTOTALORGANICIMPURITIESTO < 500 PPB
• SHOWSPOTENTIALFORPROVIDINGDISINFECTION
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JohnsonSpaceCenter- Houston,Texas
Technologyfor Space Station Crew andThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend 11-16-90
ELECTROOXlDATIONFOR POST-TREATMENTOF RECLAIMEDWATER
TECHNICALDESCRIPTION
• ELECTROCHEMICALCELL PROVIDESGENERATIONOF STRONGOXIDIZING
RADICALS (HO.)
• LIQUIDELECTROLYTE(0.7 a SODIUM PERCHLORATE)
- 170W-HR REQUIREDTO OXIDIZE50 PPMOF ORGANIC IMPURITYTO < 500 PPB
IN 1 LITEROF WATER
• NO MOVINGPARTS
STATUS
• GRANTINITIATEDWITH TAMU IN APRIL 1989
• EVALUATINGFEASIBILITYOF CONCEPTAND OBTAINING PARAMETRICDATA
FORDESIGNAND FABRICATIONOF A BREADBOARDSYSTEM
• COMPLETIONOF RESEARCHGRANT IN APRIL 1990
ELECTROLYSIS TEST CELL: INCORPORATING AN
ION-CONDUCTING MEMBRANF_
Thermometer
Reference _ j Gas In
Electrode "''"_ _1 Pt Cathode
__ Nation Ion-Conducting
Membrane
Pt Anode
Stirrer
TYPICAL DISSOLVED ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Acet,CAcid: CH3COOH * 2_ 2 0 _ 2CO 2 _"4H 2
Benzox: A¢_I : C6H$COOH • 121420 _ 7C_ . 15H2
_t&no=c Act_ : CH3(CH )6COOH ,_ 14H20 _ 8CO2 . 22H 2
u,.. _.=CO_H2-%O'-_CO2 • N=-3H2
C_,K3AN)COXIDAT!C_I REACTIONS
O_
SCHEMATIC OF ELECTROCHEMICAL WATER POST-
TREATMENT UNIT
oo _,DKSSOLVED
"11::0 oqov_c
='-
r" DI
SOLID POLYMER
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend [ 1-16-90
ELECTROOXlDATION FOR POSTREATMENT OF RECLAIMED WATER
FUTURE PLANS
• DEVELOPA BREADBOARDSYSTEM USINGA SOLID POLYMER
ELECTROLYTEFROMFUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
O_p.L
O"1
JohnsonSpace Center- Houston.Texas
Technology for Space Station CrewandThermalSystemsDivision
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
PHOTOCATALYTIC POST-TREATMENT OF RECLAIMED WATER
OBJECTIVE
• DEVELOP A BREADBOARD PHOTOCATALYTIC SYSTEM FOR POST-TREATMENT
OF RECLAIMED WASTE WATERS (DISTILLATES, PERMEATES AND HUMIDITY
CONDENSATE) FOR POTABLE AND HYGIENE USAGE
O_
o_
BENEFITS
• NEW COMPETING TECHNOLOGY FOR PURIFYING RECLAIMED WASTE WATERS
• REMOVES ORGANIC IMPURITIES TO LEVELS < 500 PPB
• PROVIDESDISINFECTION
• NO EXPENDABLES
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JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Division
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend 11-16-90
PHOTOCATALYTIC POST-TREATMENT OF RECLAIMED WATERS
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
• ORGANIC IMPURITIES IN WATER ARE OXIDIZED BY POWERFUL OXIDIZING
HYDROXAL RADICALS (OH.) AND HOLES (h +) PRODUCED WITH THE
COMBINATION OF FINE METAL OXIDE CATALYST PARTICLES DISPERSED IN
= WATER WITH UV LIGHT AND DISSOLVED 02
-,,1
• BATCH SYSTEM PROCESSES 12 LITERS OF WATER EVERY 2 HOURS
". SEPARATES CATALYST PARTICLES BY CROSS-FILTRATION THROUGH
MICROPOROUS MEMBRANE
• RECOVERSPARTICLESFOR REUSEBY BACKFLUSHING OF MEMBRANE
• OPERATESCLOSETO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE(35 oC)
JohnsonSpace Center - Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crew and Thermal Systems Divisionl
Evolution Workshop A.F. Behrend [ 1-16-90
SCHEMATIC OF PHOTOCATALYTIC
BATCH REACTORPOST-TREATMENT SYSTEM
BACKPULSE
HYDRAULIC
ACCUMULATOR
FILTRATION
L IGHT HYDRAULIC DEVICE
o, o o t i°o _
i ICATALYST WATERPARTICLE _ _ <500 PPBTOCCATALYST PARTICLE RETURNLINE
MIXING
REACTOR
POST-TREATMENT SYSTEM PROCESSES
12 LITERS PURIFIED WATER PER HOUR
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J ' 'I I I 1 I I 1 I I I I I I I I _ I I
JohnsonSpace Center- Houston,Texas
Technology for Space Station Crewand Thermal Systems Divisionl
EvolutionWorkshop A.F. Behrend I 1-16-90
•PHOTOCTALYTICPOST-TREATMENTOF RECLAIMEDWATER
STATUS
• PHASE II SBIRWITH PHOTOCATALYTICS,INC. BOULDER,CO INITIATEDIN
APRIL 1987
• BREADBOARDSYSTEMIN FABRICATIONAND SCHEDULEDFORCOMPLETION
FEBRUARY
= FY 90 ACTIVITY
• TEST BREADBOARDSYSTEM WITH RECLAIMEDWASTEWATERSTO
DEMONSTRATEPERFORMANCEFOR
- REMOVALOF ORGANICIMPURITIESTO < 500 PPB
- DISINFECTIONFROM 10 EXP7 CFU TO O MICROORGANISMS
• CONTRACTCOMPLETIONIS APRIL1990
FUTUREPLANS
• CONTINUETECHNOLOGYDEVELOPMENT
* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1990--730-163/E4549


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