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The work presented in this paper summarizes the early results of an integrated advanced water recovery system test conducted by the Crew and Thermal Systems Division (CTSD) at NASA-Johnson Space Center (JSC). The system design and the results of the first two months of operation are presented. The overall objective of this test is to demonstrate the capability of an integrated advanced water recovery system to produce potable quality water for at least six months. Each subsystem is designed for operation in microgravity. The primary treatment system consists of a biological system for organic carbon and ammonia removal. Dissolved solids are removed by reverse osmosis and air evaporation systems. Finally, ion exchange technology in combination with photolysis or photocatalysis is used for polishing of the effluent water stream. The wastewater stream consists of urine and urine flush water, hygiene wastewater and a simulated humidity condensate.

A breadboard Electrochemical Water Recovery System (EWRS) that is designed to produce potable water from a composite waste stream without the use of expendables is described in this paper. Umpqua Research Company working together with NASA/JSC developed a sequential three-step process to accomplish this task. Electrolysis removes approximately 60% of the organic contaminants from ersatz composite waste water containing a total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of 707 mg/L. The contaminants in this solution consist of organic and inorganic impurities common to laundry, shower, handwash, and urine waste water. Useful gases and organic acids are the chief by-products of the first step. The partially oxidized electrolysis solution is then transferred to the electrodialysis process where ionized organic and inorganic species are concentrated into a brine. The deionized solution of recovered water contains ∼6% of the original organic contaminants and >90% of the original water.