Trade-off analysis of phase separation techniques for advanced life support systems in space

Fili, Thomas; Gòdia, Francesc; González-Cinca, Ricard

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.09.052

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The process of separating evolved oxygen and other compounds of interest requires advanced technologies that are not dependent on gravitational forces. Fili et al ran a trade-off analysis on liquid–gas separation techniques using parameters and data from the MELiSSA studies to determine the most promising technologies for efficient phase separation [ 57 ]. Out of nine techniques analyzed, they determined that passive–static capillary-based and acoustic separation were the top two.…”

Section: Oxygen Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacteria and Algal-Based Biological Life Support System (BLSS) and Planetary Surface Atmospheric Revitalizing Bioreactor Brief Concept Review

Keller

Goli

Porter

et al. 2023

Life

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Exploring austere environments required a reimagining of resource acquisition and utilization. Cyanobacterial in situ resources utilization (ISRU) and biological life support system (BLSS) bioreactors have been proposed to allow crewed space missions to extend beyond the temporal boundaries that current vehicle mass capacities allow. Many cyanobacteria and other microscopic organisms evolved during a period of Earth’s history that was marked by very harsh conditions, requiring robust biochemical systems to ensure survival. Some species work wonderfully in a bioweathering capacity (siderophilic), and others are widely used for their nutritional power (non-siderophilic). Playing to each of their strengths and having them grow and feed off of each other is the basis for the proposed idea for a series of three bioreactors, starting from regolith processing and proceeding to nutritional products, gaseous liberation, and biofuel production. In this paper, we discuss what that three reactor system will look like, with the main emphasis on the nutritional stage.

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Section: Oxygen Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacteria and Algal-Based Biological Life Support System (BLSS) and Planetary Surface Atmospheric Revitalizing Bioreactor Brief Concept Review

Keller

Goli

Porter

et al. 2023

Life

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“…Small amplitude vibrations can also be employed to manage multiphase flows and induce phase separation in microgravity 32 by selecting viscoequilibrium configurations 33 or exploiting frozen wave instabilities 34 . These approaches present unique characteristics that affect aspects like their operational lifespan, reliability, performance, and intrusiveness 31 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As an alternative, the use of electrohydrodynamic forces has been studied since the early 1960s 20 and successfully tested for boiling [21][22][23] , two-phase flow management 24,25 , and conduction pumping 26 applications. Hydroacoustic forces arising from the application of ultrasonic standing waves 27 have been used to enhance a wide variety of terrestrial processes 28 and are also proposed to control bubbly flows in propellant tanks 29,30 and life support systems 31 . Small amplitude vibrations can also be employed to manage multiphase flows and induce phase separation in microgravity 32 by selecting viscoequilibrium configurations 33 or exploiting frozen wave instabilities 34 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic phase separation in microgravity

et al. 2022

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The absence of strong buoyancy forces severely complicates the management of multiphase flows in microgravity. Different types of space systems, ranging from in-space propulsion to life support, are negatively impacted by this effect. Multiple approaches have been developed to achieve phase separation in microgravity, whereas they usually lack the robustness, efficiency, or stability that is desirable in most applications. Complementary to existing methods, the use of magnetic polarization has been recently proposed to passively induce phase separation in electrolytic cells and other two-phase flow devices. This article illustrates the dia- and paramagnetic phase separation mechanism on MilliQ water, an aqueous MnSO4 solution, lysogeny broth, and olive oil using air bubbles in a series of drop tower experiments. Expressions for the magnetic terminal bubble velocity are derived and validated and several wall–bubble and multi-bubble magnetic interactions are reported. Ultimately, the analysis demonstrates the feasibility of the dia- and paramagnetic phase separation approach, providing a key advancement for the development of future space systems.

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