Using electrostatic principles to separate out nutrients from ECLSS wastewater brines

Using lessons learned from electrostatic regolith beneficiation, we plan to test this method on various brine compositions and try to optimize the process for use in microgravity environments. To determine if the technology can be implemented in a closed loop life support system for the separation of sodium and potassium. We would like modify an existing electrostatic separator using lessons learned from the previous proof of concept testing. It essentially consists of movable copper plates (angle/distance), an enclosure, and a very high voltage/low amperage power supply. In addition, a tribocharging pretreatment (aluminum shaker) is required to allow the salts to build up the opposite surface charge required. When a positive and negative charge are applied to each side at a sufficient voltage (30,000 volts) it causes particles with a positive or negative surface charge to be attracted to the oppositely charged electrode. Therefore, when particles are dropped down the tube, they exit the tube with the positive charged particles on one side and negatively charged particles on the other. Sodium salts contain negative surface charge while potassium has a positive surface charge, which allows this method to function. Once the salts are separated, they can be processed with ion exchange resins and membrane electrodialysis units to be recovered into valuable chemicals and fertilizers. Unlike other technologies this one will likely work much better in microgravity or low gravity environments. We plan to test this apparatus with various brine recipes,; We will perform baseline Faraday cup experiments with the identified salts to measure the polarity they acquire when tribocharged on various materials. Trade studies and key performance parameters (KPPs) can be developed to allow this system to be compared to similar unit operations (solubility/temperature swing crystallization).

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) produce brines high in two monovalent salts: sodium and potassium. Sodium is a key nutrient for human astronauts. Potassium is key nutrient for plant systems. To implement any sort of closed loop life support system, sodium and potassium separation is required to sustain both the crew and their food source (plants).

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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