Biological treatment of a synthetic space mission wastewater using a membrane-aerated, membrane-coupled bioreactor (M2BR).

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
Ruoyu D ChenTimothy M LaPara

Abstract

This paper describes the membrane-aerated, membrane-coupled bioreactor (M2BR), which was developed for wastewater treatment during long-term space missions because it achieves aeration and biomass separation using components that are compatible with microgravity conditions. In the experiments described herein, the M2BR was used to treat a synthetic wastewater formulated by NASA to simulate the wastewater typically collected during space missions. The M2BR was able to achieve more than 90% removal of both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen when it was fed a modified NASA wastewater that had a 4:1 COD to nitrogen ratio. When the full-strength synthetic wastewater was fed to the M2BR (COD:N=1), however, the nitrogenous pollutant removal efficiency was adversely affected because of either insufficient oxygen transfer to support nitrification (an air-fed M2BR) or insufficient electron donor to support denitrification (an oxygen-fed M2BR). In conclusion, the M2BR provides considerable promise for wastewater treatment during long-term space missions, although additional research is needed to identify the best approach to treat the space mission wastewater, which poses a unique challenge because of its low COD:N ratio.

References

Sep 1, 1996·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·A KonopkaR F Turco
Dec 26, 2001·Nucleic Acids Research·Dennis A BensonDavid L Wheeler
Feb 25, 2003·Biotechnology and Bioengineering·Christian G Klatt, Timothy M LaPara
Apr 7, 2004·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Alina C ColeTimothy M LaPara
Jul 1, 2004·Environmental Science & Technology·John W Shanahan, Michael J Semmens
Sep 1, 2004·Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology·Sudeshna Ghosh, Timothy M LaPara
Jan 12, 2005·Biotechnology and Bioengineering·Anthony S KappellTimothy M LaPara
Nov 18, 2005·Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology·Timothy M LaParaMichael J Semmens

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