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In order to meet NASA potable water standards using biological processing, additional purification is needed. Elimination of ammonia species is a significant post-treatment step to achieve this goal. New technology, combining membrane transport and electro-oxidation of ammonia, was developed to solve this problem without the use of expendables. The Aqueous Phase Ammonia Removal and Destruction System (APARDS) Phase I Program rigorously demonstrated the feasibility of each sub-process, and an integrated system was developed that removed and destroyed ammonia from a simulated bioreactor effluent. Membranes and process conditions suitable for ammonia removal have been determined. An Ammonia Removal Module (ARM) was designed for the efficient transfer of ammonia to a secondary electro-oxidation stream where the ammonia was destroyed. The electrolysis cell's electrodes, operational voltage, and flow characteristics were optimized to rapidly destroy ammonia.

The initial development effort is described for an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide generator and pervaporation module capable of producing and delivering hydrogen peroxide to a contaminated waste water stream as an oxidant or to a pure water stream for use as a disinfectant. A three chambered cell is used to generate hydrogen peroxide by a combined electrodialysis and electrochemical process. Each chamber is separated from its neighbor by a membrane allowing selective production of peroxide anions and hydrogen ions under controlled pH conditions followed by migration to form hydrogen peroxide. Concentrations greater than 6,500mg/L have been produced in this manner. The effects of voltage, pH, membranes, electrode materials, and method of oxygen introduction are delineated. Hydrogen peroxide is then transferred to the end-use stream by pervaporation. The impact of pH, relative flow rates, and ionic strength of sink and source solutions on pervaporation rates is detailed.