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Evaluation of a Carbosieve III Filter for a Closed Growth Chamber. Jacob Elmer1, Oscar Monje2, Johnathan Williams3; 1University of Missouri - Rolla; 2Dynamac Corporation, 3University of West Georgia.

   Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) naturally accumulate to phytotoxic levels in spacecraft.  Photo catalytic filters are currently used to control VOC levels, but they have a high energy requirement, which presents a problem for long term missions.  A prototype adsorbent filter that uses less energy can also remove VOC’s.  We tested this filter by using it to remove VOC’s from a Biomass Production System for education (BPSe) chamber that contained Raphanus sativa plants.  The growth in this chamber was compared to another BPSe chamber that had commercial ExtraLife© filters and a chamber without a filter.  Growth measurements such as dry weight, dimensions, and harvest index were measured.  Radish growth in the prototype filter chamber was greater than the unfiltered chamber and less than the ExtraLife© chamber.  Our conclusion is that the filter is suitable for supporting a crop of radishes.

(Supported by NASA-KSC:  SLSTP)