Fundamental Study of Solid Waste Size Reduction as Applied to Crewed Space Missions 2001-01-2345

This study is directed toward the analysis of size reduction as a means of processing solid waste for resource recovery during long-duration, crewed space missions. Currently, there is a lack of basic performance information related to the size reduction of solid waste generated by such missions. This study consisted of designing, constructing, and testing size reduction equipment and of measuring the performance of the equipment. Key operating conditions and performance parameters were measured during the research project. Trash, biomass residues, and their combination were used as feedstocks and size reduced under varying conditions of grinder rotational speed and size of the discharge opening, among other conditions. A number of performance parameters were measured and calculated during the study, including the specific energy required for reducing waste to various product sizes. Additionally, the study provides practical information related to the volume, mass, and resource requirements for size reduction of waste in crewed space applications, and to potential processing problems.