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Series-Bosch Technology for Oxygen Recovery During Lunar or Martian Surface MissionsLong-duration surface missions to the Moon or Mars will require life support systems that maximize resource recovery to minimize resupply from Earth. To address this need, NASA previously proposed a Series-Bosch (S-Bosch) oxygen recovery system, based on the Bosch process, which can theoretically recover 100% of the oxygen from metabolic carbon dioxide. Bosch processes have the added benefits of the potential to recover oxygen from atmospheric carbon dioxide and the use of regolith materials as catalysts, thereby eliminating the need for catalyst resupply from Earth. In 2012, NASA completed an initial design for an S-Bosch development test stand that incorporates two catalytic reactors in series including a Reverse Water-Gas Shift (RWGS) Reactor and a Carbon Formation Reactor (CFR). In 2013, fabrication of system components, with the exception of a CFR, and assembly of the test stand was initiated. Stand-alone testing of the RWGS reactor was completed to compare performance with design models. Continued testing of Lunar and Martian regolith simulants provided sufficient data to design a CFR intended to utilize these materials as catalysts. Finally, a study was conducted to explore the possibility of producing bricks from spent regolith catalysts. The results of initial demonstration testing of the RWGS reactor, results of continued catalyst performance testing of regolith simulants, and results of brick material properties testing are reported. Additionally, design considerations for a regolith-based CFR are discussed.
Document ID
20140012510
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Abney, Morgan B.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mansell, J. Matthew
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Rabenberg, Ellen
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Stanley, Christine M.
(Qualis Corp. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Edmunson, Jennifer
(Jacobs Technology, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Alleman, James E.
(Iowa State Univ. Ames, IA, United States)
Chen, Kevin
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Dumez, Sam
(Iowa State Univ. Ames, IA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 24, 2014
Publication Date
July 13, 2014
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
M14-3693
ICES-2014-160
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Tuscon, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: July 13, 2014
End Date: July 17, 2014
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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