System optimization for bioregenerative life support waste water treatment units

This study produced a hardware design proposal for a modular bioregenerative life support waste water treatment unit. This design was produced for use in the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Antarctic Analog Project (CAAP). This unit design supports all the hydraulic and chemical needs of the hydroponics system. The unit was designed to operate within a growth chamber with atmosphere and lighting controlled independently of the waste water treatment system. The study succeeded in providing a design proposal that was optimized for power consumption and manufacturability. Also provided were management tools for future development of this line of research. The design package included energy, cost, and weight analysis; a solid model of the unit; and a bill of materials for selected components. This result validated the hypothesis that the data required to produce this unit were available.