Direct Contact Membrane Distillation of Artificial Urine and Its Application in Plasticizing Lunar Regolith
Jan 1, 2024·
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Tarikuzzaman, M.
Stephen Timothy Gordon II
Alam, S.
Lynam, J. G.
Abstract
Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) uses low heat sources to separate water from urea, which was then used as a plasticizer in regolith-based cement to make it more workable. The work investigated separating potable water and urea from artificial urine using DCMD and then characterizing the products. Water was successfully separated from the artificial urine solution as characterized by density, conductivity, pH, and substance concentrations. The concentrated urine solution was used in regolith-based cement cured under vacuum at temperatures that simulated temperatures that would be expected in construction on the Moon. Workability and other properties were improved by replacing water with concentrated urine solution in the mix.
Type
Publication
Recycling, 9(5), 89
Status
Peer-reviewed
Authors
Ph.D. Engineer & Instructor of Record — Materials, Electrical & Civil Engineering
Stephen Timothy Gordon II is a Ph.D. engineer with interdisciplinary expertise across
electrical engineering, materials science, and civil engineering. His research develops
rapid electrical (ohmic) curing and additive manufacturing of fly-ash-based geopolymers,
and the electrical, dielectric, and inductive characterization of sustainable construction
materials. He has taught undergraduate engineering as Instructor of Record across seven
terms (300+ students) and is author or co-author of ten scholarly works — first author on two.