The experimental operation of the membrane filter-separator (MFS) on the International Space Station
Space technics and technology
Аuthors
, *, , , ,Research Institute, NIIchimmach, 14, Novodmitrovskaya, Moscow, 127015, Russia
*e-mail: anna.solyankina@gmail.com
Abstract
The paper describes a membrane filter-separator and separation of gas-liquid flow through semi-permeable walls and water-retaining materials on the basis of which the JSC NIICHMMASH has developed a two-stage separation method for space stations’ life support systems. The membrane filter separator works as a preliminary separation stage. It was designed owing to continuous increase in condensate contamination and irregularity of its supply and with purpose of increasing service life of the separator fitted with nickel porous tubes, being the second separation stage. The membrane filter-separator has successfully been in operation on the ISS since the 1st of September 2009. Home-produced recovery systems with two-stage static separators exceed foreign ones in life, reliability, power consumption and quality of separated condensate.Keywords:
water supplies system, membrane technology, moisture absorption, liquid separation, static separation, hydrophilic membrane.Download