UPT scenarios: Implications for system reliability

Abstract

The objective of this project was to examine the corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel in several urine pre-treat solutions. Four solutions were examined: untreated urine (control); urine pretreated with oxone (potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate); urine pretreated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); and urine pretreated with ozone (O3). In accordance with current procedures, all solutions but the control were acidified to a pH of 2.5 using sulfuric acid--this suppresses the generation of ammonia in the solutions and is intended to limit microbial growth. Welded and unwelded coupons were exposed to each solution. In addition, Titanium coupons (welded and unwelded) were exposed to biologically active environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) water. Microbial attachment and biofilm growth were monitored. Ozone was examined as a biocide/oxidizer/corrosion preventative (simultaneous addition) and as a remediation method (added one week after exposure). In an unrelated effort, HP 9-4-30 coupons were exposed to biologically active solutions. Corrosion rates for welded and unwelded samples were determined--results were correlated to the ongoing HP 9-4-30 weldment stress corrosion study.