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Separation of a two-phase gas/liquid flow stream into the respective gas and liquid constituents with minimum or no carryover is a necessary and challenging requirement in space vehicle life support systems in a micro-gravity environment. This paper will describe testing of two types of Russian MIR water separators in a one-gravity environment at conditions typical of each separator's MIR operating envelope. Presently on MIR, two types of two-phase separator designs, a static separator design and a rotary separator design, are used in several applications. The static separator design is used in the potable water processor. In addition, static separators are used in a carbon dioxide reduction system which is under development for MIR. A rotary separator design is used in both the urine processor and the hygiene water processor systems.

The paper deals with description and results of long-term operation of separation and heat-and-mass transfer hardware incorporated in Mir's water recovery systems. Static separators outfitted with hydrophilic capillary/ porous elements, a rotary separator, a through-flow condenser/static separator combination, a membrane evaporator as well as separation and distillation schematics are reviewed. Operational and life performance data are discussed and recommendations for hardware use on ISS are made.