MINERALIZATION OF WASTES OF HUMAN VITAL ACTIVITY AND PLANTS TO BE USED IN A LIFE-SUPPORT-SYSTEM

Available methods for mineralizing wastes of human activity and inedib le biomass of plants used in this country and abroad are divided into two types: dry mineralization at high temperatures up to 1270 K with s ubsequent partial dissolution of the ash and the other-wet oxidation b y acids. In this case mineralization is performed at a temperature of 470-460 K and a pressure of 220-270 atmospheres in pure oxygen with th e output of mineral solution and dissoluble sediments in the form of s cale. The drawback of the first method is the formation of dioxins, CO , SO2, NO2 and other toxic compounds. The latter method is too sophist icated and is presently confined to bench testing. The here proposed m ethod to mineralize the wastes is in mid-position between the thermal and physical chemical methods. At a temperature of 89-90 degrees C the mixture was exposed to a controlled electromagnetic field at normal a tmospheric pressure. The method merits simplicity, reliability, produc es no dissoluble sediment or emissions noxious for human and plants. T he basic difference from the above said methods is to employ as an oxi dizer atomic oxygen, its active forms including OH-radicals with hydro gen peroxide as the sourer. Hydrogen peroxide can be produced with ele ctric power from water inside the Life Support System (LSS). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.