Approaches to resource recovery in controlled ecological life support systems

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 14; no. 11; pp. 113 - 123
• Main Authors: Bubenheim, D.L., Wydeven, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS Elsevier Ltd 1994
• Subjects: Biomass; Crops, Agricultural; Ecological Systems, Closed; Filtration; Humans; Incineration; Life Support Systems; Man/System Technology And Life Support; Spacecraft; Technology Transfer; United States; United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Waste Management - methods; Waste Products; Water; Water Purification - methods; United States; NASA Center ARC; NASA Discipline Life Support Systems
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/0273-1177(94)90287-9

Recovery of resources from waste streams in a space habitat is essential to minimize the resupply burden and achieve self sufficiency. The ultimate goal of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) is to achieve the greatest practical level of mass recycle and provide self sufficiency and safety for humans. Several mission scenarios leading to the ultimate application could employ CELSS component technologies or subsystems with initial emphasis on recycle of the largest mass components of the waste stream. Candidate physical/chemical and biological processes for resource recovery from liquid and solid waste streams are discussed and the current fundamental recovery potentials are estimated.