Catalytic Methods Using Molecular Oxygen Treatment of PMMS and ECLSS Waste Streams 

Umpqua Research Company 

Myrtle Creek, OR 
 

Catalytic Oxidation System (COS)

• Used to destroy most waterborne organic contaminants.  Soluble alcohols, ketones, amides, amines, aromatics, and halocarbons levels have been oxidized using dissolved elemental oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water, and constituent inorganic species
• Used to destroy oxygen containing inorganic aqueous contaminants including nitrate, nitrite, and perchlorate.  The oxidation of an organic reductant such as ethanol or acidic acid using nitrate or perchlorate as oxidant results in conversion to nitrogen gas or chloride, respectively
• The system operates at temperatures between 60o and 150oC under sufficient temperature to prevent a phase change.  The degree of contaminant destruction depends primarily on operation temperature and catalyst contact time, and generally, ug/L levels can be achieved
• System is energy efficient due to excellent heat recovery
• The prototype system has the capability to lower 50 mg/L of ethanol to less than 50 ug/L after a 1 to 3 minutes catalyst contact time

• Company sales of the Catalytic Oxidation System have been approximately $44K
• Marketing efforts have been concentrated on the production of ultrapure water for the semi-conductor and pharmaceutical industries and the treatment of a variety of contaminated aqueous streams
• A marketing consultant has been retained in order to facilitate the commercialization of the technology in the private sector
 

• Design of the Catalytic Oxidation System focused on the stringent water quality requirements for long-term manned space flight with the manufacture of light hardware as the primary Phase II commercialization goal
• The primary target for near-term commercialization of the Catalytic Oxidation System is the International Space Station.  Continued sales are expected for long-term missions to the Moon and Mars
• Both the Air Force and National Science Foundation have funded this technology for the destruction of environmental contaminants.  These include aviation fuel, solvents, and soluble propellant and munition by-products for the Air Force; and phenol, trichlorethylene, methylene blue, and benzene for NSF
 

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