MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY FOR GAS-WATER SEPARATION - APPLICATIONS AND CONCEPTS

On Earth, the separation of mixtures of gas and water is usually very easy: gravity and the large difference in density ensure that, after s ufficient time, all water collects at the bottom of a vessel while the gas rises to the top. Such gravity assistance does not exist in space and therefore special devices must be applied for phase separation. O ne concept, membrane technology, which is rapidly being developed for terrestrial purposes, offers great potential in microgravity. A two-me mbrane filter, which is used in medicine, was recently tested on a par abolic flight and it is expected that its development for space purpos es will continue.