158 lines
6.4 KiB
Plaintext
158 lines
6.4 KiB
Plaintext
"6_2_13.TXT" (6394 bytes) was created on 10-22-89
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SPACE SHUTTLE WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM
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The Space Shuttle Waste Collection System (WCS) is an
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integrated multifunctional system primarily utilized to
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collect and process biowastes from male and female
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crewmembers in a zero gravity environment. The system is
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used as a standard Earth-like facility, and performs the
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following general functions:
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* Collects, stores, and dries solid wastes
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* Processes urine, and transfers it to the waste water
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tank
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* Processes Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)
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condensate water from the airlock, and transfers it
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to the waste water tank
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* Provides an interface for venting trash container
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gases overboard
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* Provides an interface for dumping Air Revitalization
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System (ARS) waste water overboard in a contingency
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situation
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* For flights when the galley is flown, processes wash
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water from the Personal Hygiene Station (PHS) and
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transfers it to the waste water tank
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The Waste Collection System is located on the middeck
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of the Orbiter. A door is provided on the waste management
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compartment. Two privacy curtains are attached to the
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inside of the WCS compartment door to provide privacy for
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the crewmember. The door serves as an ingress platform
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during prelaunch (vertical) operations, since the flight
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crew must ingress over the waste management compartment to
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enter the flight deck. The door has a friction hinge, and
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must be open when the WCS is used on-orbit.
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The WCS consists of six major components as listed
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below:
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* Commode
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* Urinal
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* Fan Separators
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* Odor/Bacteria Filter
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* Vacuum Vent QD
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* WCS Controls
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The commode contains a single multi-layer hyrophobic
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porous bag liner for collecting and storing solid waste.
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When in use, the commode is pressurized and transport
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airflow is provided by the fan separator. When not in use,
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the commode is depressurized for solid waste drying and
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deactivation.
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Solid Waste enters the commode through the seat opening
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(4.0 inches), drawn in by air flowing through holes under
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the seat. Waste material is deposited on the porous bag
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liner. Air is drawn through the hydrophobic material to the
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fan separator. The hydrophobic liner material prevents free
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liquid and bacteria from exiting the collector.
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The urinal, essentially a funnel attached to a hose,
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provides the capacity to collect and transport liquid waste
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to the waste water tank. The fan separator provides
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transport airflow for the liquid. The urinal can
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accommodate both male and female crewmembers by use of a
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male or female attachable cap.
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The fan separators provide transport airflow through
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the commode and urinal, and separate the waste liquid from
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the airflow. The liquid/air mixture from the urinal line
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enters axially, and is carried into a rotating secondary
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separator which throws the liquid to the outer walls of the
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rotating fluid reservoir, into a stationary Pitot tube, and
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finally to the waste water tank. Air is drawn out of the
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rotating chamber by a blower, which also draws air from the
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commode. This air passes through the odor/bacteria filter,
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and reenters the Orbiter cabin. The filter can be removed
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for in-flight replacement.
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The WCS vacuum vent QD provides the capability for the
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crewmember to dump waste water directly overboard through
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the vacuum vent system, if the waste water tank were to
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fail. This is accomplished by utilizing a water transfer
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hose which is connected to the waste water crosstie QD.
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WCS RESTRAINT AND ADJUSTMENT FEATURES
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The WCS employs various restraints and adjustments to
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enable the user to achieve the proper body positioning in a
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zero gravity environment.
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Two foot restraints are provided. One (the "toe bar")
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is located at the commode base and is used for restraint for
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standup urination. This restraint consists of two flexible
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cylindrical pads on a shaft that can be adjusted to various
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heights by releasing two locking levers. The crewmmember
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restrains himself in the standing position by slipping his
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feet under the "toe bar" restraint.
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The second foot restraint (footrest) allows the
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crewmember's feet to be restrained while sitting. The
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restraint consists of an adjustable platform with detachable
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Velcro straps for securing the crewmember's feet. The
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Velcro straps are wrapped crosswire over each foot and
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secured around the back. The footrest can be adjusted to
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various angles and heights.
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Two body restraints are provided. The primary
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restraint is the padded thigh bar. The crewmember's sitting
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position is secured by lifting up each thigh bar out of its
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detent position, rotating over thigh, and releasing. Bar is
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preloaded to exert approximately 10 pounds of force on each
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thigh.
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The second restraint serves as a backup method. The
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system consists of four Velcro thigh straps with a spring
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hook on one end. Two of the straps are attached to the top
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front surface mating attached points. The remaining two are
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installed on a bracket with five holes on the upper sides of
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the commode. These straps can be positioned accordingly to
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provide the proper restraint.
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Two handholds are used for positioning or stabilizing
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the user during WCS operation. They form an integral part
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of the top cover of the WCS assembly.
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WCS IN-FLIGHT CLEANING/MAINTENANCE
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WCS cleaning is scheduled as a daily in-flight
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activity. Biocidal cleanser, disposable gloves, general
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purpose dry wipes, small wet wipes, and a Contingency
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Scraper Tool (CST) are provided for cleaning the WCS. A
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urinal screen located at the base of the urinal funnel
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captures air entrained debris and is replaced at least twice
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daily. The odor/bacteria filter is removed and replaced
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with a spare filter when excessive odors are present. In
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addition, the personal hygiene station water hose is used at
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least once per day to clean or flush areas of the urinal
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with water.
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POWER FOR WCS
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The WCS receives 115V ac and 28V dc power from two
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middeck circuit breaker panels. The fan separator motors
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use ac power. In addition, the switches to the fan
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separators require dc power for operation. There are six ac
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breakers and two dc breakers.
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For a more detailed description of the Shuttle toilet, see
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Main Menu option 6, submenu 2, submenu 3, submenu 13, submenu 8,
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submenu 8.
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