Compact System and Method for Treating Urine and Other Wastewater

SAMBR is a hybrid technology, coupling conventional biological carbon and nitrogen removal and ultrafiltration tubular membranes, capable of nitrogen conversion and removal for water purification and resource recovery. Adapted from a conventional Modified Ludzak-Etinger (MLE) design, Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) nitrify ammonium into nitrate under oxic conditions. An anoxic zone, containing Nitrifying Oxidizing Bacteria (NOB), denitrify the nitrate into diatomic nitrogen that then off-gasses into the atmosphere. By adjusting the active oxic and anoxic zones a blend of nitrogen conversion and removal can be tailored to suit the mission objectives. The treated wastewater is then subjected to membrane filtration to provide a barrier of pathogens and retain active biomass. The membrane permeate produced is a high-quality, particulate free effluent that is rich in nutrients for fertigation (irrigation + fertilizer) applications or can be easily treated downstream to produce drinking water. Current space missions face significant challenges in managing waste and recycling resources, especially in closed environments like the International Space Station (ISS). Traditional Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) rely heavily on physical and chemical processes, which demand constant consumable inputs and generate hazardous byproducts. These systems often struggle to efficiently treat and recover valuable resources from waste streams, such as urine and graywater, posing sustainability issues for long-duration space missions and future exploration. Our technology, the Suspended Aerobic Membrane Bioreactor (SAMBR), offers an innovative bioregenerative solution for waste treatment. This system leverages advanced biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes, carbonation, and membrane filtration to effectively treat urine and recover key resources with minimal consumable inputs. By scaling down industrial-scale biological treatment processes for space applications, SAMBR achieves high treatment efficiency within a compact footprint, making it ideal for space missions. This approach not only improves sustainability in space but also has potential applications on Earth, contributing to more efficient and eco-friendly waste management systems.