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Development of a Rapid Cycling CO(sub 2) and H(sub 2)O Removal SorbentThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) planned future missions set stringent demands on the design of the Portable Life Support System (PLSS), requiring dramatic reductions in weight, decreased reliance on supplies and greater flexibility on the types of missions. Use of regenerable systems that reduce weight and volume of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is of critical importance to NASA, both for low orbit operations and for long duration manned missions. The carbon dioxide and humidity control unit in the existing PLSS design is relatively large, since it has to remove and store 8 hours worth of CO2. If the sorbent regeneration can be carried out during the extravehicular activity (EVA) with a relatively high regeneration frequency, the size of the sorbent canister and weight can be significantly reduced. The progress of regenerable CO2 and humidity control is leading us towards the use of a rapid cycling amine system. TDA Research, Inc. is developing compact, regenerable sorbent materials to control CO2 and humidity in the space suit ventilation loop. The sorbent can be regenerated using space vacuum during the EVA, eliminating all carbon dioxide and humidity duration-limiting elements in the life support system. The material also has applications in other areas of space exploration such as the Orion spacecraft and other longer duration exploration missions requiring regenerable technologies. This paper summarizes the results of the sorbent development, testing, and evaluation efforts to date. The results of a preliminary system analysis are also included, showing the size and volume reductions for PLSS provided by the new system.
Document ID
20070001006
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Paul, Heather
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Alptekin, Goekhan
(TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO, United States)
Cates, Matthew
(TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO, United States)
Bernal, Casey
(TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO, United States)
Dubovik, Margarita
(TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO, United States)
Gershanovich, Yevgenia
(TDA Research, Inc. Wheat Ridge, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2007
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
07ICES-207
Meeting Information
Meeting: 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Chicago, IL
Country: United States
Start Date: July 9, 2007
End Date: July 12, 2007
Sponsors: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 384.06.04.01.05.10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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