(303m) Equivalent Systm Mass Analysis and Integration of Food Production for Planetary Habitation

In this work, we develop a methodical framework for system analysis and integration for the sustainable production of food for planetary habitation (e.g., syrup, starch, flour, and cereal). This work develops qualitative and quantitative understanding of how the various modules and subsystems perform and interact as a function of various variables. First, we study the basic pathways for food production. Basic process models are developed to track mass and energy. These models are refined using experimental work. Mass and energy intensity indices are evaluated for the system. Based on mass and energy consumption, the key processing steps are identified. Then, mass and energy integration are used to improve these indices and conserve resources for these critical steps. The mass and energy study, balances, and integration provide the quantitative basis for planetary habitation metrics. In particular, we use the equivalent system mass ?ESM? as the primary criterion for assessing and improving the design. The ESM is one of the metrics used by NASA to assess costs in Advanced Life Support (ALS) studies. The ESM calculations are particularly useful in comparing several alternative configurations in order to determine which of the viable options present the most attractive alternative for a given mission with a certain destination and duration. The analysis involves measuring the parameters of mass, volume, power, cooling and crew time and utilizing equivalency factors for volume, power, cooling, and crew time equivalency factors. Mass and energy integration techniques are used to determine functional integration as well as conservation of mass and energy and their impact on ESM. This is achieved by integrating functionalities and streams (e.g., exchanging heat from hot to cold streams, recycling/reusing streams to minimize usage of fresh resources and maximize waste utilization, etc.). Various system alternatives are synthesized and screened using ESM with the result of optimizing system performance and selecting optimum alternatives.