Browsing by Author "Crawford, Kagen"
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Item Comprehensive 3D Multiphysics Model on Electrochemical Recovery of O2 from metabolic CO2 at the International Space Station (ISS)(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Dominguez, Jesus; McCall, Shannon; Reidy, Lorlyn; Crawford, Kagen; Oliver-Butler, Kaitlin; Black, Cara; Brown, Brittany; Dennis, Brian; Chanmanee, Wilaiwan; Fillion, Joseph; Burke, KennethThe International Space Station (ISS) is presently equipped with an elaborate, heavy, and high-power consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of O2 from metabolic CO2 as part of the atmospheric revitalization (AR) at the ISS habitat. Future long-duration missions will require a more sustainable and efficient system capable of yielding a minimum of 75% O2 recovery to reach the self-sufficiency required for long-duration space missions beyond Earth’s low orbit. A Microfluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) technology development effort is currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to not only increase significantly current O2 recovery efficiency, improving self-sufficiency on AR at the ISS habitat and future long-duration missions, but also reduce system complexity. The authors have developed and deployed a comprehensive 3D multiphysics model that thoroughly replicates the actual configuration and fluid/material domains of the MFECR. The coupled physics in this multiphysics model include multicomponent-multiphase electrochemical-driven reactions, non-ideal mass transport mechanism, free and porous flow, heat transfer, CO2 solubility on alkaline electrolyte, water condensation on porous medium, and DC electrical current generation along with Joule heating effect. This model is aimed to conduct qualitative benchmark on three different MFECR layouts, one without serpentine paths (plain) and two with serpentines leading to four and twelve paths respectively. Once experimental data is generated via a test matrix of 200 tests, the model will be validated to conduct MFECR process optimization and revalidate the qualitative benchmark on three different MFECR layouts.Item Comprehensive Evaluation of Electrochemical Hydrogen Separator as Hydrogen Recovery Solution for Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Crawford, Kagen; Black, Cara; Quillen, TravisItem Development of an efficient alternative to recovery O2 from metabolic CO2 via electrolysis operated at ambient temperature and driven by a highly selective catalysis(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Dominguez, Jesus; Reidy, Lorlyn; Crawford, Kagen; Oliver-Butler, Kaitlin; Black, Cara; Brown, Brittany; Dennis, Brian; Chanmanee, Wilaiwan; McCall, Shannon; Burke, KennethThe current State of Art (SOA) on oxygen recovery onboard the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) at the International Space Station (ISS) is a complex, heavy, and power-consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of the oxygen (O2) from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2). For future long-duration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) missions, O2 recovery systems will need to be highly reliable, and efficient, and recover a minimum of 75% O2 from metabolic CO2. An alternative technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has the potential to significantly increase O2 recovery currently limited to 50% (Sabatier) and reduce the complexity of ECLSS O2 recovery. MSFC and the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) have jointly designed and fabricated a microfluid electrochemical reactor (MFECR) that operates at ambient conditions and utilizes a proprietary catalysis highly selective on reducing CO2 to ethylene (C2H4) at the cathode while O2 is generated at the anode. The MFECR would replace three pieces of hardware for future ECLSS architectures: the current CO2 Reduction Assembly (CRA) (Sabatier reactor), the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA), and the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA). It is designed to interface directly with the CO2 Removal Assembly (CDRA) and the Water Processing Assembly (WPA) to supply CO2 reactant and water replenishment respectively. This is expected to substantially improve the sustainability of the ISS ECLSS and reduce requirements on power and weight. Here, we discuss the current development and evaluation efforts on different alternatives on not only the configuration and setup of the MFECR at an Engineering Design Unit (EDU) scale but also the selection of component materials.Item Extraterrestrial Mining Via Two Coupled Thermal-Driven Phenomena(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Dominguez, Jesus; Mccall, Shannon; Crawford, Kagen; Hintze, Paul; Black, Cara; Brown, BrittanyTwo-coupled thermal-driven phenomena, the Marangoni effect and thermal fractional decomposition under high vacuum, observed by the authors could lead to an extraterrestrial mining operation that would significantly reduce mechanical operation and allow in-situ product extraction directly from the mineral without the necessity of either mineral beneficiation or use of terrestrial precursors. Thermal Marangoni effect alone and coupled with fractional decomposition have been corroborated through paths of 10 and 13 inches respectively on molten JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant. These two coupled phenomena (self-transportation via the Marangoni effect and fractional decomposition at a higher temperature) present a novel and valuable potential for extraterrestrial mining as the observed outcome will be more prominent on extraterrestrial surfaces under higher vacuum and reduced gravity. A comprehensive 3D model built by the authors demonstrated to be a crucial tool to determine the right location of the sample to optimize the gradient temperature along the wall of a long tubular crucible enhancing the Marangoni effect as surface tension (the driving force for the thermal Marangoni effect) depends on the temperature gradient.Item Increased Oxygen Recovery Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Electrochemical Hydrogen Separation(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Crawford, Kagen; Black, Cara; Quillen, TravisCurrently on the International Space Station, approximately 50% of the oxygen (O2) for the crew is recovered from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2). Maximum O2 recovery is required to reduce resupply mass for long-duration manned missions. O2 recovery is constrained by the limited availability of reactant hydrogen (H2) from water (H2O) electrolysis, and Sabatier-produced methane (CH4) is vented as a waste product resulting in a continuous loss of reactant H2. The Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA) has the potential to substantially increase O2recovery by post-processing the Sabatier-produced methane to recover H2. The PPA decomposes CH4 into predominately H¬2 and acetylene (C2H2). A separation system is needed to purify the H¬2 from the PPA stream before it is recycled back to the Sabatier reactor. Two sub-scale electrochemical H2 separation systems, developed by Skyre, Incorporated, were delivered to NASA for evaluation. This report details the results of Phase I testing and evaluation of the C2H2 removal systems.Item Performance of a Regenerable Carbon Filter for the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Berger, Gordon; Agui, Juan; Mehan, Jeff; Crawford, KagenOxygen recovery will be a key element of advanced Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) on future deep space missions. The Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA) works in conjunction with a Sabatier Reactor, which is a leading oxygen recovery technology. The function of the PPA is to recover hydrogen from the Sabatier reactor products. The 3rd generation PPA processes the methane, produced by the Sabatier Reactor, at a 4 crew-member flow rate to produce hydrogen, acetylene, other trace gases and solid carbon fines. A Regenerable Carbon Filter (RCF) was developed under a SBIR by Umpqua Research Company to capture the nuisance carbon fines and was put through integrated ground testing with a 3rd generation PPA unit at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center�s ECLSS Environmental Chamber (E-Chamber). The filter system consists of three separate in-series components: a regenerable electrostatic precipitator, a regenerable fibrous media filter, and a passive HEPA filter. Oxidation is used to regenerate the two regenerable components by flowing a small amount of oxygen through the regenerable components at 750 C. The tests consisted of carbon loading from the PPA and regeneration stages. Two different duration carbon loading cycle were performed corresponded to a typical loading cycle of the PPA, 8 hours, before the PPA reactor requires regeneration, and a 20-hour loading cycle to test for performance under longer carbon build up. The effectiveness of regeneration was checked visually inside the electrostatic precipitator component through borescope inspection. In addition, the level of carbon oxidation during regeneration was monitored by measuring gaseous products with a gas chromatograph. The results of the two loading tests and multiple regeneration tests will be presented in this paper.Item Reliable and Efficient Electrochemical Recovery of O2 from Metabolic CO2 at the International Space Station (ISS)(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Dominguez, Jesus A.; Reidy, Lorlyn; Nur, Mononita; Crawford, Kagen; Brown, Brittany; Dennis,Brian; Chanmanee, Wilaiwan; Fillion,Joseph; Ollenburg, Kathryn; McCall, ShannonMaximum oxygen (O2) recovery from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2) is desired for future long-duration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit. The O2 recovery for the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) at the International Space Station (ISS), presently limited to 50% (Sabatier), must be highly reliable and efficient and recover a minimum of 75% O2 from metabolic CO2. An alternative technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center via a Macro-fluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) approach has the potential to increase O2 recovery significantly and reduce the complexity of the ECLSS O2 recovery at the ISS as it would replace three pieces, the CO2 Reduction Assembly (CRA) (Sabatier reactor), the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA), and the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA). The MFECR's electrochemical process generates ethylene (C2H4) and carbon monoxide (CO) instead of methane (CH4) (Sabatier) as a byproduct, eliminating the need for further dehydrogenation through the PPA. As in the OGA, the MFECR's electrochemical process generates O2 and hydrogen (H2) from the water electrolysis process. MSFC and the University of Texas in Arlington have jointly designed and fabricated/upgraded an MFECR's single cell that operates at ambient conditions and utilizes a catalyst highly selective on reducing CO2 to C2H4 and CO at the cathode. This approach is expected to substantially improve the ISS ECLSS sustainability and reduce power and weight requirements as the MFECR would replace three and potentially four units currently installed in the ISS. In this paper, the authors discuss the outcome of preliminary tests, the current development, the evaluation efforts on different alternatives for the cathode and the anode configurations, the use of MFECR's digital twin to upgrade its design at an engineering development unit (EDU) scale, and the evaluation efforts on different electrolyte alternatives and alkalinity effect.