Waste Processing Using a Packed Bed Electrolysis Reactor with Thermal Pretreatment at High Pressure 951742
The recovery of resources for reuse from the processing of diverse waste materials produced by a crew in space-based closed life support systems is essential for the success of long duration space missions. Lynntech, Inc. is investigating and developing a waste processor that uses thermal solubilization and wet oxidation at elevated pressure and an electrochemical process for solid waste processing for closed life support systems. The electrochemical process uses a packed bed anode that oxidizes waste at temperatures <100°C and operates at atmospheric pressure. This approach offers an alternative to high temperature thermal processes for solid waste treatment. Incorporated into the packed bed reactor design is a method that shows potential for regenerating a liquid electrolyte enabling the electrochemical process to operate for long periods without having to be replaced. The paper describes scale-up of the packed bed reactor to a multicell stack, the testing of different electrode materials and the treatment of different waste materials. The solubilization and wet oxidation used to render waste materials to a soluble form before being processed in the electrochemical reactor is also described. A breadboard system will be delivered and installed in NASA-JSC's regenerative waste processing test bed facility in June 1995 for evaluation and comparison with other candidate technologies.
Citation: Tennakoon, C., Hitchens, G., Murphy, O., Rogers, T. et al., "Waste Processing Using a Packed Bed Electrolysis Reactor with Thermal Pretreatment at High Pressure," SAE Technical Paper 951742, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/951742. Download Citation
Author(s):
C. L. K. Tennakoon, G. D. Hitchens, O. J. Murphy, T. D. Rogers, C. E. Verostko
Affiliated:
Lynntech, Inc.
Pages: 11
Event:
International Conference on Environmental Systems
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
SAE 1995 Transactions: Journal of Aerospace-V104-1
Related Topics:
Life support systems
Pressure
Corrosion
Recycling
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