Considerations for Development of a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer for Exploration Missions

Date

2018-07-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

48th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Monitoring the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in spacecraft potable water will be of major importance in long-duration human space exploration. In-flight analysis of potable water produced from a regenerative water processor provides immediate feedback on the quality of reclaimed water along with a system health check on the processing hardware. While the International Space Station (ISS) successfully employs a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) to complete these tasks, this device is not configured in a mass and volume form factor most suitable for long-duration missions nor is it efficiently integrated into the water processing system. A TOC analyzer that is designed to fit the specified mission requirements would benefit mass, volume, crew time, and resupply needs. This paper discusses the challenges presented by exploration requirements, the status of commercially available technologies, and the research and development progress toward the goal of a next generation, exploration Total Organic Carbon Analyzer.

Description

Chad Morrison, KBRwyle
Christopher McPhail, Anadarko
Shawn Schumacher, KBRwyle
Michael Callahan, NASA
Stuart Pensinger, NASA
ICES406: Spacecraft Water/Air Quality: Maintenance and Monitoring
The 48th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA on 08 July 2018 through 12 July 2018.

Keywords

ECLSS, Water Monitoring, Life Support Systems, Total Organic Carbon, Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, TOCA, Exploration Life Support Monitoring

Citation