High Efficiency, High Output Plastic Melt Waste Compactor (HEHO-PMWC)

ORBITEC proposes to develop processes and waste heat recovery techniques to be incorporated into the existing Plastic Melt Waste Compactor (PMWC) to increase efficiency and throughput. The end goal will be to incorporate these processes and techniques into the PMWC system developed by Ames Research Center (ARC). The PMWC has shown to be the best technology for waste management for space applications. It can compress, recover water, and stabilize the waste in one compact system. Even though the PMWC has been built and is being tested by ARC, many technical challenges remain. This Phase I effort is in response to those challenges to increase the PMWC Technology Readiness Level significantly by the end of Phase II. During Phase I much will be done by computational analysis to analyze the best materials to minimize heat losses and how to most effectively add forced air convection to the process. A benchtop simulator will also be developed and tested to more accurately quantify and validate the computational results. Phase II will expand upon these efforts by incorporating the Phase I designs into the current PMWC or by constructing a next generation PMWC, which will have a TRL of 5 or 6.

As commercial space travel becomes a reality, launch mass and volumetric savings provided by the proposed technology will directly impact the viability of commercial space travel. In addition to working with the NASA applications and customers, ORBITEC has been discussing technology applications with several aerospace and commercial space companies. As part of ongoing discussions with large aerospace companies, ORBITEC anticipates integrating this technology into one or more architectures and concepts on future proposals to be submitted for funding and implementation.

The system provides integrated trash drying, melt compaction, water reclamation, and air revitalization with limited crew interaction. As long-term human spaceflight missions are launched, the need for a viable source of clean water is required for survival. It will not be possible to launch an exploration vehicle with an adequate supply of water without recovering and reusing the limited water supplies included. A vital link in the water recycling chain is enabling water reclamation from trash. The primary application is on lunar and Mars planetary surface applications but it can also be used for longer duration transit operations. The ESM ROI increases with increasing crew size and mission length. Integration into a Lunar Outpost would be a stepping stone to long-duration Martian missions. In addition to saving the volume and mass associated with carrying extra water, crew time and stowage are reduced.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.