Automated SEBAC-II Prototype Solid Waste Management System for Long Term Space Mission 2005-01-3025
This paper reports on design improvements made to a full-scale prototype solid waste management system designed to support a 6-person crew on long-term space missions. The original system design is based on Sequential Batch Anaerobic Composting (SEBAC), a patented process for odorless bioconversion of organic solid wastes to methane and compost by anaerobic digestion. The system consists of five reactors and two gas-liquid separators designed for operation under closed conditions in micro-gravity. During any week of operation, one reactor is being used for feed collection and compaction, three for stage-wise anaerobic composting, and one for post-treatment by aerobic stabilization while simultaneously serving as a bio-filter in the pretreatment of cabin air within the air revitalization subsystem. Previous work resulted in preliminary operating performance data that revealed the need for further design improvements [1]. This paper will present the results from design improvements including a control system for flow reversal of leachate through the system to accomplish higher efficiency and minimize channeling of leachate through feedstock beds during pressurized pumping operations.
Citation: Luniya, S., Teixeira, A., Owens, J., Pullammanappallil, P. et al., "Automated SEBAC-II Prototype Solid Waste Management System for Long Term Space Mission," SAE Technical Paper 2005-01-3025, 2005, https://doi.org/10.4271/2005-01-3025. Download Citation
Author(s):
Suneet S. Luniya, Arthur A. Teixeira, John M. Owens, Pratap C. Pullammanappallil, Wei Liu
Affiliated:
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Pages: 15
Event:
International Conference On Environmental Systems
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Related Topics:
Waste management
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