THE SPACE RESEARCH COMPANY LLC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: H3

Description

For longer duration stays in space, a compact low power washer dryer system is a critical element for reducing consumable mass of clothing. Not only does it save on launch mass, clean clothes can improve crew morale. More importantly, cleaning clothes regularly helps tonbsp;reduce the growthnbsp;and proliferation of bacteria, allergens, and fungi that may irritate or even cause skin diseases for the crew. But space vehicles and habitatsnbsp;arenbsp;limited in usable power and volume, therefore the design of a combination washer-dryer system must accommodate these extreme constraints.nbsp;The ZeoWashnbsp;Laundry Systemnbsp;offers a solution for anbsp;combined cycle (Wash/Sanitize and Dry) system which consumes 300W of power to clean and dry 4.5 kg of laundry within 3 hours. The system uses a novel Thermo-electric condenser and convection Desiccator water Removal technologY (TecDry) for achieving an extremely low power, fast drying, self-contained laundry system.nbsp;