Elektron unit cause ISS emergency

[halman]

The New York Times has reported that about 7:00 eastern daylight time, a 'state of emergency' was declared by station controllers. A smoke detector was activated by fumes which were initially mistaken for smoke. The fumes were believed to contain potassium hydroxide, which had leaked from an Elektron unit. The astronauts were working on the unit, although station controllers were unsure why. The astronauts were instructed to place an activated charcoal filter in the air circulation system, to remove the chemical oders. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

More here <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

Sounds like a storm in a tea cup to me. If it's an emergency everytime an alarm goes off then our house has several a week everytime the kids burn the toast.<br /><br />Jonm<br /><br />PS Shouldn't you be going to work??? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[trailrider]

While it has apparently been determined this is NOT a life-threatening emergency, when alarms start going off and you start smelling burning insulation (phenolic, rubber, etc.), and there's nowhere to go (except heading for a lifeboat), things can get a bit tense until it is determined there isn't a major problem in progress...which is what happened.<br /><br />On the other hand, that blasted Elektron oxygen generator is acting up again, and they may have to run on "bottled" air and KH scrubbers until repairs can be accomplished.<br /><br />At least there ARE sufficient options available without shutting down the ISS or cancelling the crew changeover.<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!

 

[henryhallam]

I believe the "emergency" was declared in order to get priority TDRS time for Station operations.<br /><br />And if your toaster is pumping out clouds of lye then maybe you should get it looked at <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[halman]

Trailrider,<br /><br />Apparently, this malfunction was a new twist, involving overheating of a certain part of the unit, which is what triggered the smoke detectors. Station control was faced with a situation where alarms were engaged, but they did not have a source for the problem immediately, as no smoke was visible. They were no where near ordering a rush to the lifeboat, the Soyuz capsule docked at the station currently, but controllers were unsure what was happening for a few moments.<br /><br />The United States still has not moved up (to my knowledge) the deployment date of its version of the Elektron, which converts wastewater into oxgen for the station, and hydrogen, which is dumped overboard. This in spite of serious problems with the Elektron units aboard the station at this time, which occured several months ago. This technology is critical to long-term residency in space, at least until hydroponic gardens can be proven to work in generating sufficient oxygen for a crew. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[nyarlathotep]

The Elektron breaking down again is news??? It happens every other week.

 

[erioladastra]

"I believe the "emergency" was declared in order to get priority TDRS time for Station operations. "<br /><br />Correct. Smoke is always taken seriously but also since the Elektron uses some caustic chemicals until you know for sure, you have to treat as a possible toxic spill as well.

 

[erioladastra]

"Apparently, this malfunction was a new twist, involving overheating of a certain part of the unit, which is what triggered the smoke detectors. Station control was faced with a situation where alarms were engaged, but they did not have a source for the problem immediately, as no smoke was visible. "<br /><br />Not quite right. The stations detectors never detected it, it was the crew. They noticed a burning smell, a hot seal and then saw smoke.<br /><br />Also, the Oxygen Generation SYstem (OGS) has been substantially moved up. It will be fully installed during increment 14 (it is a maintainence mode right now on orbit) and will activated during Increment 15.

 

[shoogerbrugge]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Also, the Oxygen Generation SYstem (OGS) has been substantially moved up. It will be fully installed during increment 14 (it is a maintainence mode right now on orbit) and will activated during Increment 15<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />When is it set for launch? And is Russia working on an improved version of its Elektron?

 

[subzero788]

I think you misunderstood: the OGS is already on the ISS. It was launched on STS-121 last July, but it won't be functional until next year.

 

[shoogerbrugge]

my humble apologies, I had no idea. has the OGS the capability to support a 6-man permanent crew, or does the ISS then still need the Elektron?<br />

 

[SpaceKiwi]

My understanding is that both systems will be needed in a 6-person crew config.<br /><br />Until they figure out a <b>reliable</b> oxygen generation system, there is no-show of going to Mars. This, in my very humble opinion, is the long pole on any mission aspirations. How many replacement parts for Elektron have been shipped to ISS thus far? They must have changed out the innards of that unit 2-3 times by now. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[bushuser]

Let's hope the US version proves to be more reliable than Elektron. It seems you could store the waste hydrogen outside the ISS for future use, instead of dumping it.

 

[halman]

Hydrogen is the lightest of all gases, and is also the most prevalent element in the Cosmos. Storing it requires very large tanks, even if it is liquified, which requires compressors, and lots of power. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[erioladastra]

And very dangerous.

 

[trailrider]

I wonder if the crew (or a 6-person crew) produces enough CO2 to be combined with the hydrogen to make methane. Add to that any methane produced by using anaerobic methagenous bacteria in a hydroponic setup to produce still more methane from sewage, and...liquify and store the methane for propulsion, maneuvering, etc.???? Hmmm!? Vould dis verk for das Mars Project? (Oops, sorry, I think "Uncle" Werher's ghost has taken over my keyboard! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />A journey of a million miles (in LEO) begins with a single (mis)step...like a batwinged flying brickyard in a Navajo-stack configuration on a humongous droptank flanked by a pair of firecrackers! <br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!

 

[bushuser]

"Hydrogen is the lightest of all gases, and is also the most prevalent element in the Cosmos. Storing it requires very large tanks, even if it is liquified, which requires compressors, and lots of power."<br /><br />I hadn't considered the power angle...I take it we are talking about many more amps than the 100psi compressor that plugs into my 12 V car adapter.<br /><br />Looks like we found another use for empty external tanks from the shuttle.<br /><br />"And very dangerous."<br /><br />That's why you have to store it outside the ISS, so there's no oxidizer it can accidently come in contact with.