Grey Water Treatment in Immobilized Cell Packed Bed Bioreactors for Use Under Microgravity Conditions

Nashashibi-Rabah, Majda’; Christodoulatos, Christos; Korfiatis, George P.

doi:10.4271/1999-01-1946

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Increasing the urea concentration to 1000 mg/L at day 700 did not have any significant affect on process performance. The total dry biomass buildup in the bioreactor throughout the treatment period was approximately 200 g. The system reached a steady‐state in approximately 60 days from startup ( Nashashibi‐Rabah, et al, 1999 ). The steady‐state biomass yield was 0.13 mg biomass per mg of gray water‐COD processed, which is low compared to typical aerobic processes ( Droste, 1997 ), but reasonable given the long solids retention time (4800 d) of this system.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Gravity‐Independent Wastewater Bioprocessor for Advanced Life Support in Space

Nashashibi-Rabah¹,

Christodoulatos²,

Korfiatis³

2005

Water Environment Research

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Operation of aerobic biological reactors in space is controlled by a number of challenging constraints, mainly stemming from mass transfer limitations and phase separation. Immobilized‐cell packed‐bed bioreactors, specially designed to function in the absence of gravity, offer a viable solution for the treatment of gray water generated in space stations and spacecrafts. A novel gravity‐independent wastewater biological processor, capable of carbon oxidation and nitrification of high‐strength aqueous waste streams, is presented. The system, consisting of a fully saturated pressurized packed bed and a membrane oxygenation module attached to an external recirculation loop, operated continuously for over one year. The system attained high carbon oxidation efficiencies often exceeding 90% and ammonia oxidation reaching approximately 60%. The oxygen supply module relies on hydrophobic, nonporous, oxygen selective membranes, in a shell and tube configuration, for transferring oxygen to the packed bed, while keeping the gaseous and liquid phases separated. This reactor configuration and operating mode render the system gravity‐independent and suitable for space applications.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pressure was gradually increased to 414 kPa (60 psig) and pertinent performance parameters were monitored for the entire operating time. The reactor operated under these conditions for approximately 500 days, after which Phase II commenced and operational settings were modified accordingly ( Nashashibi‐Rabah et al, 1999 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%