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The design of any complex system, especially eco-technical is very challenging due to the variety of processes, system composition, relation between different components and presence of the human. Process and technology selections affect the flow rate, composition, and phase of all resulting components. Therefore, evaluating alternative processes and/or technologies used often requires one to compare the relative environmental merits of distinctly different residual streams. Traditional thermodynamic analysis based on the first law of thermodynamics describes the conservation of energy. In this type of analysis all forms of energy are considered to be equivalent. The loss of quality of energy is not taken into account. It shows the energy flow to be continuous and energy balance is always closed. There can never be an energy loss, only energy transfer to the environment in which case it is useless.

The paper is devoted to consideration of the possible approach to forecasting functioning physico/chemical Regenerative Life Support Systems (RLSS) in regular and off-normal conditions of operation on the basis of methods of mathematical simulation. Prediction of RLSS functioning under operating conditions represents the special interest for the analysis of off-normal situations, caused by development of a resource or presence that or that or of the other of failure of the equipment, or change of external conditions. In the given situations working mechanisms of transfer of mass and energy change not only characteristic and modes of operations of separate apparatus, but also, in a number of cases. The given peculiarities should be taken into account at formation of the formalized descriptions of the RLSS hardware.

This paper reviews designs of urine distillation systems for spacecraft water recovery. Consideration is given to both air evaporation and vacuum distillation cycles, to the means for improving cycle performance (such as heat pumps, multistaging, and rotary evaporators), and to system concepts offering promise for future development. Vacuum distillation offers lower power consumption, at some increase in system complexity; air evaporation distillation is capable of providing higher water recovery efficiency, which could offset the lower power consumption advantage of vacuum distillation for long-duration missions.