2007-06-22 05:02:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The biggest threat to the astronauts is exhaled carbon dioxide. If this builds up, it can cause suffocation. At high concentrations, CO2 interferes with the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen.
To remove CO2, the air is blown through "scrubbers", or canisters containing pellets of lithium hydroxide (LiOH), which reacts with the CO2 forming lithium bicarbonate (LiHCO3).
Activated charcoal filters are used to remove odors and air pollutants, from humans, onboard experimental plants and animals, and from some of the plastics used on the ISS.
Another problem is water vapor, which can cause condensation, and damage electronics. The heating and AC systems contain a number of dehumidifiers, which condense excess water vapor, and return it to the onboard water supply.
Not surprisingly, water is also a very precious commodity on the space station. Waste water from washing, experiments, liquid cooling, fuel cells and from urine and feces is recycled and purified by evaporation, condensation, and by reverse osmosis. While it may sound disturbing at first, the recycled water is actually purer that the stuff you are likely to find coming out of your tap at home.
Water is also broken down by electrolysis into oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen is used to replenish the air, and the hydrogen is vented overboard. While the water recycling is not 100% efficient, it is efficient enough that the astronauts get a significant fraction of the moisture they need, simply from food that is brought onboard.
Most of the air and water management systems are found on the Russian "Zarya" and "Zvezda" support modules, and also on the US "Destiny" lab. An additional advanced life support module, known as ECLSS, is scheduled to be delivered in 2010 with Node 3. ECLSS will provide enough additional life support for a permanent crew of 6.
Hope that makes sense,
~W.O.M.B.A.T.
2007-06-22 06:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by WOMBAT, Manliness Expert 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By recycling!
Life support systems on the ISS must not only supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the cabin's atmosphere, but also prevent gases like ammonia and acetone, which people emit in small quantities, from accumulating.
At present, carbon dioxide is removed from the air by a machine on the Zvezda Service Module based on a material called "zeolite," which acts as a molecular sieve.
The removed CO2 will be vented to space. Engineers are also thinking of ways to recycle the gas.
In addition to exhaled CO2, people also emit small amounts of other gases. Methane and carbon dioxide are produced in the intestines, and ammonia is created by the breakdown of urea in sweat. People also emit acetone, methyl alcohol and carbon monoxide -- which are byproducts of metabolism -- in their urine and their breath.
Activated charcoal filters are the primary method for removing these chemicals from the air
2007-06-22 05:07:59 · answer #2 · answered by Som™ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They use air conditioners and air scrubbers that keep the air clean and comfortable.
They use liquid oxygen to keep the atmosphere breathable.
2007-06-22 05:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three sources of oxygen - they have "oxygen generators", very much like those on commercial aircraft emergency systems. They also use 'scrubbers', which cleans the CO2 from the air, and they have oxygen tanks which are replaced infrequently.
2016-05-17 10:54:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They use a system vary much like they use to use on the moon landers but with larger filters
2007-06-22 05:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by Jeffrey M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have are cleaning systems that keep the air clean and comfortable.
2007-06-22 05:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by JTK 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. With all the potato vodka farts those cosmonauts are cranking out, I doubt it'd be easy!
2007-06-22 05:06:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋