g-C3N4 Photocatalyst based Water Purification System for Crewed Space Missions

Date

2020-07-31

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Water recovery from wastewater sources is critical for long-duration space missions. Without an efficient system water recovery on-board, life support system launch weights are practically impossible. Water recovery systems currently used on the international space station (ISS) are complex, involving high temperatures and pressures to recycle water from humidity condensate and urine. The process also uses toxic chemicals to stabilize urine and produce brines as byproducts that need to be safely stored on-board. Therefore, NASA is interested in improving the current water recovery process by reducing complexity, decreasing the number of consumables to carry on-board, improve safety and reliability, and to achieve a higher percentage of water recovery from various water sources including personal bio metabolic products. Extensive research work using nanotechnology has resulted in the demonstration of improved catalytic oxidation, microbial control, anti-fouling, disinfection, water quality monitoring, and removal of trace organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater. In this paper, the application of g-C3N4-based photocatalyst for the decontamination of organics in water will be presented.

Description

Jordan Terrazas, CertainTech Inc., USA
Krishnaswamy Rangan, Materials Modification Inc., USA
Danmeng Shuai, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The George Washington University. USA
ICES303: Physio-Chemical Life Support- Water Recovery & Management Systems- Technology and Process Development
The proceedings for the 2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems were published from July 31, 2020. The technical papers were not presented in person due to the inability to hold the event as scheduled in Lisbon, Portugal because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Keywords

Water Recovery, Photocatalysts, C3N4

Citation