NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Development of a Low-Power CO2 Removal and Compression System for Closed-Loop Air Revitalization in Future SpacecraftThe current CO2 removal technology of NASA is very energy intensive and contains many non-optimized subsystems. This paper discusses the design and prototype development of a two-stage CO2 removal and compression system that will utilize much less power than NASA s current CO2 removal technology. This integrated system contains a Nafion membrane followed by a residual water adsorber that performs the function of the desiccant beds in the four-bed molecular sieve (4BMS) system of the International Space Station (ISS). The membrane and the water adsorber are followed by a two-stage CO2 removal and compression subsystem that satisfies the operations of the CO2 adsorbent beds of the 4BMS aid the interface compressor for the Sabatier reactor connection. The two-stage compressor will utilize the principles of temperature-swing adsorption (TSA) compression technology for CO2 removal and compression. The similarities in operation and cycle times of the CO2 removal (first stage) and compression (second stage) operations will allow thermal coupling of the processes to maximize the efficiency of the system. In addition to the low-power advantage, this processor will maintain a lower CO2 concentration in the cabin than that can be achieved by the existing CO2 removal systems. The compact, consolidated, configuration of membrane gas dryer and CO2 separator and compressor will allow continuous recycling of humid air in the cabin and supply of compressed CO2 to the reduction unit for oxygen recovery. The device has potential application to the International Space Station and future, long duration, transit, and planetary missions.
Document ID
20050156606
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mulloth, Lila M.
(Science Applications International Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Rosen, Micha
(Science Applications International Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Affleck, David
(Science Applications International Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
LeVan, M. Douglas
(Vanderbilt Univ. Nashville, TN, United States)
Moate, Joe R.
(Vanderbilt Univ. Nashville, TN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: 35th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Start Date: July 11, 2005
End Date: July 14, 2005
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 131-20-10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available