Re-Cycle

Once we establish a colony on the Moon we will be dealing with the same problems of human input and output as the ISS. We eat and drink and then as a result we have--output. The ISS is already trying out a urine recycler, still a source of controversy among the spacies. One has been know to remark he didn’t mind drinking his own purified urine; he just didn’t want to drink some other guys.

I got to wondering what kind of quantities we’re dealing with and found these data in a book titled ‘The Moon’.

Input in pounds

Oxygen 1.84
Food 1.36
Water in Food 1.10
Food Prep Water 1.58
Drinking Water 4.09

Wash Water 12.5

Total 24.47

Output in Pounds

Carbon Dioxide 2.20
Respiration & Persperation Water 4.02
Urine 3.31
Feces Water 0.20
Sweat & Urine Solids 0.17
Feces Solids 0.07
Hygiene Water 12.00

Total 24.47

So, about 25 pounds in and out per day. Looks like a lot of that stuff out can be recycled or used for plant fertilizer-the Chinese have been using ‘Black Gold’ in rice patties for centuries.

But, ya know, I keep wondering about the guy who didn't want to drink his buddie's recycled urine. Wonder how he'd feel about his buddie's, uh-you know.