Hollow Fiber Membrane Bioreactor Systems for Wastewater Processing: Effects of Environmental Stresses Including Dormancy Cycling and Antibiotic Dosing
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Abstract
Hollow fiber membrane bioreactors (HFMBs) have been studied for a number of years as an alternate approach for treating wastewater streams during space exploration. While the technology provides a promising pre-treatment for lowering organic carbon and nitrogen content without the need for harsh stabilization chemicals, several challenges must be addressed before adoption of the technology in future missions. One challenge is the transportation of bioreactors containing intact, active biofilms as a means for rapid start-up on the International Space Station or beyond. Similarly, there could be a need for placing these biological systems into a dormant state for extended periods when the system is not in use, along with the ability for rapid restart. Previous studies indicated that there was little influence of storage condition (4 or 25ÂșC, with or without bulk fluid) on recovery of bioreactors with immature biofilms (48 days old), but that an extensive recovery time was required (20+ days). Bioreactors with fully established biofilms (13 months) were able to recover from a 7-month dormancy within 4 days (~1 residence). Further dormancy and recovery testing is presented here that examines the role of biofilm age on recovery requirements, repeated dormancy cycle capabilities, and effects of long-duration dormancy cycles (8-9 months) on HFMB systems. Another challenge that must be addressed is the possibility of antibiotics entering the wastewater stream. Currently, for most laboratory tests of biological water processors, donors providing urine may not contribute to the study when taking antibiotics because the effects on the system are yet uncharacterized. A simulated urinary tract infection event, where an opportunistic, pathogenic organism, E. coli, was introduced to the HFMBs followed by dosing with an antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, was completed to study the effect of the antibiotic on reactor performance and to also examine the development of antibiotic-resistant communities within the system.
Description
ESC-Craig Technologies
ESC-Vencore
ESC-SGT
ESC-Easi
ESC-Sierra Lobo
204
ICES204: Bioregenerative Life Support
Vienna, Austria
Janelle L. Coutts, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
Brian D. Larson, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
LaShelle E. Spencer, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
Michael L. Kosiba, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
Christina L. Khodadad, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
John A. Catechis, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
Mary E. Hummerick, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
Griffin M. Lunn, Engineering Services Contract, Kennedy Space Center, USA
The 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Vienna, Austria, USA on 10 July 2016 through 14 July 2016.