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Thinking about recycling on the ISS. Whatever can be reused is a big plus. I often find it fascinating to ponder that most all atoms on earth have been here a
by ThinkBeat 2y ago
Thinking about recycling on the ISS.
Whatever can be reused is a big plus.
I often find it fascinating to ponder that most all atoms on
earth have been here a very long time and will stay around
for a very long time. (I think).
When I drink a glass of water, I figure atoms making up this
specific water has probably been through the cycle of
digestive systems and plant millions of times.
and yet it is wet, tasty and safe.
IIS is a closed system.
In theory all the atoms remain.
Currently they do recycle urine.
What would be involved in breaking down fecal matter
far enough that something nutritious could be recovered
and reused after a proper and safe process.
There has to be a lot of useful atoms available in it.
Presumably, the energy required to do anything like this
would make it entirely impossible.
- jaredhallen 2y agoNot an expert in this area, but I don't think the ISS could be considered a closed system. I hear you on the atom angle, but there's energy to take into consideration as well. I suppose in theory it could work like one of those self contained ecosystems in a glass ball or whatever - those still take in solar energy. The issue you'd have to tackle is that mammals are ingesting carbon based food, taking the energy out of it, and exhaling the carbon through respiration. Their bodily waste is mostly either nitrogen or bacteria, which can be converted through natural processes into forms that plants can uptake in conjunction with the aforementioned exhaled carbon. So basically it seems to me like the most straightforward way to achieve what you're suggesting would be to use the processes we already use on earth.