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| | | | | | | | | This activity is devoted to a feasibility study of an ESA water recycling system for the Airbus A380 aircraft | |
Airbus water recycling system
Since human exploration missions are one of the long-term objectives of the Aurora Exploration Programme, a technology development programme must embed a Life Support System development effort. One of the most constraining factors in such missions is high mass of consumables required to sustain a crew, in particular water supply.
This requirement is similar to that found for instance onboard long-range flights. As an example, the Airbus A380 must carry onboard over 2000 kg of water to supply all the passengers with drinking water. Obviously long-duration crewed missions place even greater demands, however a common approach to address this may be pursued.
As a solution to the problem of water supply ESA has developed recycling technologies over the last 15 years. Furthermore, synergies between aircraft and spacecraft recycling systems have been identified. Consequently, a water recycling system suitable for the Airbus could be appropriate as a preliminary technology feasibility assessment.
A membrane-based breadboard system has already been built and tested over a six month period that has demonstrated compliance with ESA requirements in terms of water flow, water quality and efficiency. This solution was chosen as a baseline for the activity described below.
This activity is devoted to a feasibility study of an ESA water recycling system for the Airbus A380 aircraft. It will result in a preliminary design of a membrane-based water recycling system for the whole aircraft, and with the identification of the critical points related to the design.
The first preliminary architecture study will characterise aspects such as mass, volume, power, safety and reliability, contaminants assumptions and maintenance strategy. The preliminary design itself will build upon assessments of the possible implementation of the system within the aeroplane together with the impact of the system on power supply, structure, isolation and so forth.
Future developments could include an assessment of further requirements for a similar space-based system, critical issues related to the specific design for space utilisation or spin-off technology towards a ground application to solve the increasingly critical problem of drinking and fresh water procurement on Earth.
| Start | Expected
or actual duration | Status | Prime contractor | | Oct '03 | 18 months | Ongoing | NTE |
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Last update: 10 May 2006 | |
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