NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Solid State Air Purification SystemLife support systems in spacecraft are designed to provide a safe, habitable environment for the astronauts, and one of the most significant challenges is managing acceptable air quality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is respired normally by humans at concentrations that are toxic if inhaled directly, and as a result cabin air must be tightly managed. The Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) currently on board the ISS is the best functioning technology for manned space cabins, but has two significant drawbacks:1. The CDRA requires that air be dried prior to CO2 capture, and this costs energy _ in fact, the system spends 4X more energy drying the air than in actually capturing and releasing carbon dioxide. 2. The CDRA works in batch mode, while downstream CO2 processing systems require a continuous stream of CO2. This adds unnecessary complexity, as well as a second parasitic energy loss.An ideal system would process CO2 continuously without any need for drying of the air, and without any moving parts. Such a system would require a fraction of the size and weight of the CDRA while dropping the cost of CO2 capture by 5X or more. Such a technology would be enabling for future long term manned flight missions, such as a mission to Mars. eSionic is developing a new electrochemical membrane technology using its patented innovations in electrolyte materials. In Phase I of this program eSionic has demonstrated continuous gas separation using only electricity to drive the separation, with no moving parts or pressure drops. In Phase II, eSionic will demonstrate long-term operation of the membranes consistent with the needs of NASA for this development program.
Document ID
20190001159
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other
Authors
Gellett, Wayne
(Esionic Corp. Menlo Park, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
March 4, 2019
Publication Date
November 12, 2018
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
HQ-E-DAA-TN63113
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX12AR14G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Keywords
Life Support
Carbon Dioxide Removal
Space Station
Air Purification
No Preview Available