Analysis of an algae-based CELSS: Part I. Model development
Conference Paper
Overview
Overview
abstract
A CELSS (Controlled Environmental Life Support System) has been developed which incorporates algae for food and oxygen production while physical/chemical processes are used for gas and water regeneration. A stoichiometric model of the process is solved in a sequential, non-iterative manner. The model allows for variations in diet, trash production rate, trash composition, and astronaut metabolism. The accumulation and depletion of components (e.g., H 2 , O 2 , H 2 O, CO 2 , food) in storage tanks are determined. The capacity of the various unit operations of the process is calculated so equipment weight may be estimated for trade off analyses. Compared to depleting food stores, the use of algae as food has a 'break even' time of 0.9 years; that is, for missions longer than 0.9 years, a weight savings results from the incorporations of algae in the diet.
