To conduct crewed simulation experiments of bioregenerative life support systems on the ground is a critical step for human life support in deep-space exploration. An artificial closed ecosystem named Lunar Palace 1 was built through integrating efficient higher plant cultivation, animal protein production, urine nitrogen recycling, and bioconversion of solid waste. Subsequently, a 105-day, multicrew, closed integrative bioregenerative life support systems experiment in Lunar Palace 1 was carried out from February through May 2014. The results show that environmental conditions as well as the gas balance between O and CO in the system were well maintained during the 105-day experiment. A total of 21 plant species in this system kept a harmonious coexistent relationship, and 20.5% nitrogen recovery from urine, 41% solid waste degradation, and a small amount of insect in situ production were achieved. During the 105-day experiment, oxygen and water were recycled, and 55% of the food was regenerated. Key Words: Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS)-Space agriculture-Space life support-Waste recycle-Water recycle. Astrobiology 16, 925-936.

BACKGROUND Developing an economical biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal technology with high efficiency has become a research priority in current sewage treatment procedures. In order to solve the problems within the anaerobic–anoxic–oxic (A2/O) process, including substrates competition and high energy consumption, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was embedded in the A2/O process to enhance the efficiencies of removal of nitrogen and phosphorus, along with electricity production. RESULTS Three A2/O reactors, one with an embedded MFC, were set up, and nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies and electricity generation were investigated. At the stage of stable operation, the chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal efficiencies of the MFC‐A2/O reactor, compared with the control, were increased by 15.9%, 9.3% and 1.4% on average, respectively. The average output power density of the MFC was 14.3 ± 1.4 mW m−3 and the internal resistance was 6000 Ω. Grey relational analysis was applied to study the most significant operational parameter of the A2/O process affecting electricity production of the MFC. CONCLUSIONS This research proved that nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency could be improved by embedding an MFC in the A2/O process. In addition, the MFC‐A2/O reactor can generate electricity continuously. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

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