Future Horizons

Poster Image
Event poster; details follow in description
Poster Session
A
Poster Number
07
Project Author(s)
Godwin G. Duah, Noelle Gardner, Edward Johnson
Institution
Portland Community College
Project Description

The Future Horizons Team proposes to simulate a closed-system study to test the feasibility of compost in space. The primary by-product of an anaerobic compost system is carbon dioxide. With inadequate oxygen, aerobic compost systems can convert into anaerobic compost systems with a methane byproduct. If compost in an enclosed system with fixed oxygen additions is feasible, there is a possibility to have an integrated compost and agricultural system, which is breaking down byproducts, creating viable soil and providing carbon dioxide to edible agricultural byproducts. This analysis will be studied by utilizing vacuum chambers to simulate a closed system. Each closed system will have the same amount of a fixed compost system with the controlled addition of NIST-Calibrated Nitrogen Oxygen Concentration at fixed intervals to determine if there is a threshold to maintain an aerobic compost system. The application of closed-system composting for long term space travel could allow for use of materials that are currently disposed of, as well as an additional means of food sources. The conclusions reached from this research may contribute to the advancement of sustainable recycling methods and self-sufficiency in space environments..

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