Control of Effluent Gases from Solid Waste Processing Using Carbon NanotubesOne of the major problems associated with solid waste processing technologies is the release of effluent gases and contaminants that are in gaseous formed from the processes. A number of other gases, in particular NO(x), SO2, NH3, Hydrocarbons (e.g. CH4) do present hazards to the crew in space habitats. Reduction of mass, power, volume and resupply can be achieved by using catalyst impregnated carbon nanotubes as compared to other catalytic systems. The development and characterization of an innovative approach for the control and elimination of gaseous toxins using single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) promise superior performance over conventional approaches. This is due to the ability to direct the selective uptake of gaseous species based on their controllable pore size, high adsorptive capacity and the effectiveness of carbon nanotubes as catalyst supports for gaseous conversion. For example, SWNTs have high adsorptive capacity for NO and the adsorbed NO can be decomposed to N2 and O2 . Experimental results showing the decomposition of NO on metal impregnated carbon nanotubes is presented. Equivalent System Mass (ESM) comparisons are made of the existing TCCS systems with the carbon nanotube technology for removing NO(x). The potential for methane decomposition using carbon nanotubes catalysts is also discussed.
Document ID
20050182672
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fisher, John (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Cinke, Martin (California Univ. Santa Cruz, CA, United States)
Wignarajab, Kanapathipillai (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: 35th International Conference on Environmental Systems