In 2012, ISS management decided to change the acid pretreatment for urine from sulfuric to phosphoric with the goal of eliminating or minimizing formation of salt crystals. In recent years, the sulfuric acid (H2SO4) pretreatment was believed to be largely responsible for producing salt crystals capable of plugging filters in UPA components and significantly reducing the percentage of water recovery from urine. The urine is acid-pretreated primarily to control microbial growth. On International Space Station (ISS), the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) converts human urine and flush water into potable water. This paper discusses the requirements and design of the ARFTA as well as integration into the urine processor assembly.ĮCLSS Sustaining Compatibility Testing on Urine Processor Assembly Nonmetallic Materials for Reformulation of Pretreated Urine Solution The new tank, called the Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly (ARFTA) is a metal bellows tank that is designed to collect concentrated brine solution and empty by applying pressure to the bellows. In order to reduce resupply requirements, a new accumulator tank is being developed that can be emptied on orbit into existing ISS waste tanks. The brine solution is collected in an accumulator tank, called a Recycle Filter Tank Assembly (RFTA) that must be replaced monthly and disposed in order to continue urine processing operations. Urine is collected, preserved, and stored for processing into water and a concentrated brine solution that is highly toxic and must be contained to avoid exposure to the crew. Recovering water from urine is a process that is critical to supporting larger crews for extended missions aboard the International Space Station. This paper will give a brief overview of the UPA design and a status of the major design and development efforts completed recently to mature the UPA to a flight level.ĭevelopment of an Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly for the ISS Urine Processor Assembly In recent years, NASA MSFC has been responsible for taking the UPA technology to "flight design" maturity. Over this history, many technical issues were solved with thousands of hours of ground testing that demonstrate the ability of the UPA technology to reclaim water from urine. NASA has developed this technology over the last 25-30 years.
This water is further processed by the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) to potable quality standards for use on the ISS. The UPA uses Vapor Compression Distillation (VCD) technology to reclaim water from pre-treated urine. NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is developing a Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) for the International Space Station (ISS). Development Status of the International Space Station Urine Processor Assembly
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