MDRS = Mars Desert Research Station

• Main Authors: Leslie Wickman Ph. D, Pvc Polyvinyl Chloride
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.507.3331; http://www.apu.edu/cris/pdfs/water_reclamation.pdf

[Abstract] The objective of this paper is to explore the provision of clean, safe and healthy water to people living and/or working in extreme or remote environments by efficiently recycling waste water in a cost-effective and ecologically sound manner. Efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly methods for reclaiming or regenerating used waste water to high standards of purity must employ low cost, low energy processes, and locally available resources, just as the earth itself does. The methodologies so developed will advance the goals of exploring the near-earth solar system, but just as importantly, they will also minimize adverse impacts on the local environment by reducing the use of scarce resources, minimizing waste products, and recycling water along with other so-called waste products. As well as protecting and preserving the extraterrestrial environments of the Moon and Mars, these methodologies might be employed around the earth within small remote communities (such as arctic bases, underwater research facilities, earth-orbiting stations, humanitarian aid outposts or developing indigenous societies) lacking adequate water purification technologies. These applications would certainly help in advancing existing and new technologies associated with human exploration, while at the same time improving upon the quality of life through the provision of safe and clean drinking and bathing water to both space- and earth-based peoples.