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Lance Delzeit

Publications and source records attributed to Lance Delzeit.

15 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2026

The Trash Compaction Processing Systems (TCPS) Ground Unit Control Sample Testing

The Trash Compaction Processing System (TCPS) is being developed by NASA and Sierra Space to process crew trash for long-duration missions. The system compacts and thermally processes mixed spacecraft waste to reduce volume and stabilize the material while managing gas and liquid effluents. A Ground Unit (GU) located at Sierra Space in Madison, Wisconsin was used to run a series of tests using standardized control samples representing different trash conditions, including nominal, high liquid, high cloth, benign, and foam. Gas grab samples were collected during processing and analyzed to identify the compounds present in the effluent stream and compare the concentrations to the NASA spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations (SMACs). Additional testing included odor testing at White Sands Test Facility, aerosol measurements, microbiology, and tile characterization. Overall, the compounds detected in the gas samples were well below the SMAC limits for all trash models tested. The results from this testing are being used to help guide the verification approach and test planning for the TCPS Flight Unit that is planned for on-orbit testing on the International Space Station.

Control Samples↗
NASA NTRS2020

Mitigation of Silver Ion Loss from Solution by Polymer Coating of Metal Surfaces, Part II

“Spacecraft potable water systems require a biocidal agent that effectively provides both immediate and residual disinfection over long periods of time. Ionic silver (Ag+) is a leading candidate for this application, but suffers from rapid concentration loss due to interactions with the metal storage containers and tubing. In order to maintain biocidal efficacy in systems with long periods of dormancy and to reduce the required rate of Ag+ injection, it is necessary to develop alternative materials and coatings for certified metal alloys that significantly reduce the Ag+loss.”1In this work, we continue our investigation of vapor-deposited parylene (AF4, and now C) polymers as conformal barrier coatings under long-term (ca. 1-year) immersion in ca. 400 ppb Ag+. The performanceof internal coatings in tubing/two-ferrule fitting systems is characterized. We report successful “aging” and high concentration Ag+pretreatment of parylene coatings for quantitative reduction of Ag+loss rates. In addition, we observe long-term blister-free adhesion of mechanically anchored parylene-AF4 on nano-structured Ti-6Al-4V alloy and chemically bonded parylene-C on 316L stainless steel. Finally, we report preliminary experiments with mechanical and chemical anchoring of laboratory-deposited parylene-C on 316L.

Silver↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

BioMoSS: ROS-generating Photocatalysts for the Disinfection of Potable Water Systems

With NASA’s desire to replace iodine as the biocide within the potable water system of future missions, we continue our development of the biocidal MoS2 (BioMoSS) system. BioMoSS is a visible-light activated photocatalyst based upon few-layered vertically aligned molybdenum disulfide (FLV-MoS2) for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a biocide. FLV-MoS2 has been reported to have a high bacterial kill rate. We report significant improvements in the vertical-alignment and biocidal efficacy of the FLV-MoS2 compared to our initial results reported last year. Furthermore, we report the results of peroxide formation with and without surface deposition using gold. Finally, we investigate the delamination of the FLV-MoS2 films under immersion in water.

Antiseptics↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

DirectINJECT: Dosing Systems for Concentrated Liquid Biocides

Reliable and mass-efficient techniques for biocide dosing are necessary to enable residual microbial control in spacecraft potable water systems. DirectINJECT is an approach to provide ultra-low flow rate injection of stable aqueous biocide concentrate solution (e.g., highly soluble silver salt). This method has the benefit of low consumable mass and is insensitive to the chemistry of the target water. With a 40 g Ag+/liter solution, required dosing rates would be ~1 μl/minute during water processing (for a system similar to the ISS WPA), requiring only approximately 20 ml/crew-year of concentrate. The performance of three dosing systems were identified and characterized: pressure-driven flow through a robust micro-capillary tube with a solenoid valve shut-off, a miniature peristaltic pump, and a multi-piston pump with integrated valving. Several potential system reliability concerns are addressed including prevention or segregation of gas bubbles in the concentrate reservoirs as well as long-term materials compatibility and mechanical life.

silver↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mitigation of Silver Ion Loss from Solution by Polymer Coating of Metal Surfaces, Part IV

Ionic silver (Ag+) biocide is a leading candidate to provide residual microbial control in spacecraft potable water systems, but suffers from rapid concentration loss due to interactions with the metallic storage containers and tubing. One approach to resolve this problem is the coating of metal surfaces with an inert barrier film. In previous reports, we have described our investigations addressing Ag+ loss mitigation and adhesion performance of parylene barrier coatings on coupons of several metal alloys and 316Ltubing under static immersion. In such conditions, parylene-C and -AF4 coatings have shown excellent Ag+loss mitigation and mixed long-term adhesion performance, depending on parylene species and substrate surface chemistry/structure. In Part IV of this series, we report on our work to investigate the performance of parylene-C barrier coatings, under more challenging and realistic conditions, in order to evaluate potential suitability for use. The resilience and associated Ag+ loss with Parylene-C coating on½” (12.7 mm)316L tubing and fittings under medium-term immersion and repeated fitting dis/reassembly were investigated. Potential mechanical challenges to barrier coatings in spacecraft potable water systems were investigated, with two main focuses being identified: liquid flow/pressure cycling in tubing and cyclic operation of bellows in positive-expulsion storage tanks. Two corresponding testbeds for experimental characterization of coating performance were developed. In the Flow/Pressure Testbed System, Ag+ solution will be pumped through internally coated 316L tubing, with optional pressure cycling. In the Bellows Tank Testbed System, an internally coated edge-welded 316L bellows containing Ag+ solution will be cyclically extended and compressed, analogous to the operation of bellows tanks used for potable water storage and delivery on the International Space Station. The design and operation of these testbeds are described. Finally, the Ag+ adsorption and saturation behaviors of Kalrez and Viton, for potential use as seal materials in fittings and other connections, were characterized in limited experiments.

mitigation↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Considerations on Electrolytic Conductivity Measurement for Monitoring of Ionic Silver Biocide Dosing

NASA interest in ionic silver (Ag+) as a biocide for spacecraft potable water systems motivates the development of Ag+ concentration sensors to ensure nominal dosing. The electrolytic conductivity change of highly-purified potable water is linearly related to the concentration of chemically-dosed Ag+ and could serve as a useful proxy measurement, while the conductivity change during electrolytic dosing may be less so, depending on the influent water chemistry and electrolytic efficiency. Understanding and mitigating the potentially deleterious effects of Ag+ interaction with conductivity measurement systems requires investigation. Issues associated with traditional conductivity cells, which rely on wetted(typically metal or graphite) electrodes, and capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for this application are considered. Traditional conductivity cells may potentially be subject to significant excitation-induced or auto-galvanic reduction of Ag+. These may result in Ag+ depletion or electrode fouling and associated measurement error. Proper selection of electrode material, excitation parameters, and cell geometry may limit such effects. C4D uses electrodes placed outside an inert, insulating material, with dielectric polarization enabling the production of an electric field and resultant current across the analyte solution. This approach could potentially mitigate problems with Ag+ depletion and fouling by eliminating the possibility of auto-galvanic deposition and reducing the Faradaic current density. However, it is necessary to confirm C4D performance at very low conductivity levels and to determine if long-term operation produces conductive deposits, which could result in measurement error. A commercial C4D system with 1/16” (1.59 mm)outer diameter flow tubing and claimed performance in the conductivity range appropriate for this application was identified, and its sensitivity in the upper parts of this range was confirmed in a preliminary experiment. A concept for a C4D detector that could allow for full rate flow-through using planar electrodes and thin-film dielectric layers is discussed.

silver↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Double ChemFET for the In-Line Monitoring of Silver Dosing in Potable Water Systems

With NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS)baselining ionic silver (Ag+) as the biocide of choice, development in silver monitoring technologies becomes necessary to monitor and control Ag+ release. Ion-selective field effect transistors (ISFETs) and chemically-sensitive field effect transistors (ChemFETs) are capable of selective detection of Ag+ with reversible and low detection limit responses. However, one major hurdle to ChemFET technologies is the requirement of a reference electrode, which can leak its fill solution into the potable water system and is prone to drift requiring frequent calibration. To circumvent this issue, a double chemically-sensitive field effect transistor (dChemFET) is proposed. The dChemFET uses a second ChemFET to selectively monitor the counter ion and serves in place of the reference electrode. This work reports on the development of the dChemFET, starting with the development of the Ag+ andNO3- ion selective membranes (ISMs) to be used in the ChemFETs. The Ag+ ISM was tested in 50-105 ppb Ag+ and showed linear, sub-Nernstian response. The NO3- ISM was tested in50-500 ppb silver ion equivalents of nitrate ion (Ag+ equiv. of NO3-) and shows linear, sub-Nernstian response as well . However, the Ag+ and NO3- ISMs face significant challenges in terms of drift that obstruct its application for long-term monitoring, but it can serve as a starting point for demonstrating the dChemFET proof of concept.

John Abdou↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development and characterization of the Capillary DirectINJECT System

The DirectINJECT Project was initiated to create a reliable in-line dosing system for delivering a concentrated silver ion biocide solution into spacecraft potable water. Three dosing systems, including a miniature peristaltic pump, a multi-piston pump, and a differential pressure-driven capillary tube, were quickly prototyped and tested. Although the peristaltic and multi-piston pump systems met the desired flow rate range, the capillary system showed the most promise and was chosen for further development. In FY23, the Capillary DirectINJECT dosing system underwent extensive testing with a nominal injection rate of 1.0 μl/min into varying backpressure conditions. A Primary DirectINJECT System with triplicate testbeds was employed for long-term testing, and auxiliary systems like the Secondary DirectINJECT System and Leak Testbed were developed to characterize specific components and investigate various phenomena related to the dosing system. Parameters such as flow rates, reservoir pressures, and temperature were monitored throughout the testing campaigns.

DirectINJECT↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of a Mechanical Trash Compactor (Mpactor) for Exploration Missions

NASA is developing a mechanical trash compactor (Mpactor), a pneumatically driven trash compaction system, for human space exploration missions to manage trash items such as food packaging, sanitary wipes, clothing, tape, and other types of waste. The compaction system that is under development does not involve heating, water removal, or water recovery which eliminates the need for complex ancillary hardware required to manage gaseous effluents, as well as condense the water vapor. A system called the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Compactor, intended for use in the micro-gravity environment, was developed at NASA Ames Research Center for the Constellation Program 2007. This CEV Compactor is being further developed and renamed the Mpactor (short for mechanical trash compactor). The Mpactor is being used to gather engineering data that will allow engineers and planners to scale a future design for different mission scenarios and to evaluate different bag materials and designs that help retain compaction.

transit vehicle↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Characterization of the Mechanical Trash Compactor Bag Removal Force

Managing trash accumulation is a critical challenge in human space explorations since the trash volume and mass can significantly influence launch cost and operational efficiency. This study aids the development of a Mechanical Trash Compactor (Mpactor) by testing the removal force required to remove a “trash bag” from the Mpactor. To do this, a Pneumatic Pressure Mandrel System was designed to simulate the normal force trash would exerts on the trash bag and subsequently the sidewalls of the Mpactor. For various levels of sidewall normal force, the removal force required to remove the simulated trash bag from the Mpactor compaction chamber was measured. This testing is used to identify optimal bag materials. Additionally, testing was done on both the native stainless steel walls of the compaction chamber as well as the walls after being Teflon lined. Split-plot ANOVA, simple main effects analysis, Holm’s post hoc comparisons for interaction, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the influence of trash bag and sidewall materials on the required removal force. It was found that Teflon reduced the force required to remove the trash bag as well as reduced material-dependent variation in removal force. Testing showed that Teflon reduced the required removal force with a Polyvinylidene Fluoride , an unidentified Ethylene acrylate - Low Density Polyethylene copolymer, and a Polyvinyl Chloride all requiring significantly less removal force than the other materials tested.

pressure mandrel↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design of an AI Trash Sorting Machine for Use on the Moon and Mars

As NASA prepares for Mars colonization, resource conservation will be critical for survival. Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered waste sorting technologies, already emerging on Earth, offer promising solutions for recycling and material recovery. These systems use advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms to identify and separate materials with remarkable accuracy. On Mars, where every item has significant value, efficient recycling will be essential to reduce resupply needs and support closed-loop life support systems. This paper explores how terrestrial AI-based trash sorting technologies can be adapted for Martian conditions, focusing on challenges such as the harsh surface environment, minimizing system mass, power, volume, and estimating waste composition. Addressing these issues will be key to enabling sustainable operations on the Red Planet.

Sorting↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design of an AI Trash Sorting Machine for Use on the Moon and Mars

As NASA prepares for Mars colonization, resource conservation will be critical for survival. Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered waste sorting technologies, already emerging on Earth, offer promising solutions for recycling and material recovery. These systems use advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms to identify and separate materials with remarkable accuracy. On Mars, where every item has significant value, efficient recycling will be essential to reduce resupply needs and support closed-loop life support systems. This paper explores how terrestrial AI-based trash sorting technologies can be adapted for Martian conditions, focusing on challenges such as the harsh surface environment, minimizing system mass, power, volume, and estimating waste composition. Addressing these issues will be key to enabling sustainable operations on the Red Planet.

AI↗