Browsing by Author "Holquist, Jordan"
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Item Analysis of a Cold Trap as a Purification Step for Lunar Water Processing(2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2020-07-31) Holquist, Jordan; Pasadilla, Patrick; Bower, Chad; Tewes, Philipp; Kelsey, Laura; Cognata, ThomasIn-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellant for exploration missions beyond cis-lunar space due to direct evidence of water-ice in the persistently shadowed regions (PSR) on the lunar surface. One possible method of extraction is the sublimation and vapor transport of the water from regolith to a collection and processing system, minimizing mechanized mining. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other volatile species that can sublimate with water vapor, potentially contaminating and degrading downstream processing systems. Paragon Space Development Corporation® and Giner Inc. are currently developing the ISRU-derived water purification and Hydrogen Oxygen Production (IHOP) system in order to collect, purify, and process water-ice from PSRs on the lunar surface. A critical component of this system concept is a Cold Trap that selectively deposits water-ice from a water vapor stream while rejecting the majority of the contaminant volatiles. This paper presents an analysis of the possible modes of contaminant retention in the Cold Trap, as well as quantitative, bounding case estimates of the contaminants that could be retained. Results of this analysis indicate the need for further water purification steps prior to generating potable water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellants.Item Analysis of Lunar Non-Water Volatiles and Processes for their Separation and Utilization(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Joyce,Connor; Hazlewood, Amara; Umphress, Dylan; Holquist, JordanIn-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing water-ice on the Moon to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellant for future exploration missions. On the Moon, evidence of water-ice has been detected in permanently shadowed regions (PSR) concurrently with other non-water volatile (NWV) species. All resources on the Moon can have utility in a lunar economy and some may have high enough value to warrant the expense of developing and deploying systems to process and utilize them. At the same time, some NWVs pose significant threats to the lifetime of ISRU systems and related equipment. As an example of one potentially high-value resource, ammonia co-located with lunar water-ice could be used as a refrigerant, as a fuel cell consumable, as fertilizer, as a feedstock for hydrazine production, or as a source of make-up nitrogen for lunar habitats. As an example of a hazardous NWV, mercury can cause leaching and corrosion of metals from plumbing and components and is a known toxin to humans. In this paper, we describe and analyze the lunar NWV landscape through the lens of potential value and risks associated with the NWVs detected to date. Technology concepts for processes to separate and utilize these NWVs are defined, modeled, analyzed, and traded. As a result of these efforts, key research and development gaps are identified for future investment. Because Paragon Space Development Corporation has been developing technologies for the capture, purification, and utilization of lunar water, ISRU architectures are also presented where these capture and utilization technologies for NWVs can be integrated or interfaced with other relevant systems.Item Characterization of Carbon Dioxide Removal using Ionic Liquids in Novel Geometries(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Arquilla, Katya; Rundle, Tessa; Phillips, Daniel; Lampe, Alexander; Shaffer, Brett; Lima, Anthony; Fritz, Trevor; Denton, Jacob; Dixon, Jordan; Holquist, Jordan; Lotto, Michael; Nabity, JamesThe Cabin Atmosphere Revitalization through Ionic Liquids (CARIL) project is part of NASA's Exploration Systems and Habitation Academic Innovation Challenge program to provide enabling technologies for future long-duration space missions. Current atmosphere revitalization technologies require frequent maintenance and spare parts – these are not manageable issues for technologies used on missions travelling to Mars and beyond. As the possibility for resupply decreases with long-duration missions, regenerable technologies become increasingly important. CARIL is focused on the characterization of the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the cabin atmosphere using two different absorption bed configurations: a 3-D printed capillary-driven contactor and a hollow-fiber contactor. A flat plate contactor will be used as an experimental control, and all designs will use the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. ILs were chosen due to their low vapor pressure and selectivity between CO2 and oxygen, making them a viable option for absorbing CO2 in micro-gravity. The focus of this research is to characterize the absorption of CO2 using specific contactor materials and geometries to provide a broad range of data to analyze and inform the future development of supported ionic liquid membranes.Item Considerations for Capturing and Converting Martian CO2 with Room Temperature Ionic Liquid-Based ISRU Systems(48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2018-07-08) Lotto, Mike; Holquist, Jordan; Klaus, David; Nabity, JamesRoom temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are an emerging option for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) at ambient pressures on the surface of Mars due to their negligible vapor pressures and affinity for CO2. Some RTILs also promote the efficient and selective electrochemical reduction of CO2 to useful products, such as carbon monoxide (CO) or methane (CH4). An in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) system may be able to utilize these properties to both capture CO2 from the Mars atmosphere and facilitate the subsequent reduction process. Several RTIL-based ISRU architectures are introduced and characterized. A discussion regarding the operational environment is also included.Item Demonstration and Model Validation of Freeze Distillation as a Purification Step for Lunar Water Processing(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Joyce, Connor; Holquist, Jordan; Ruble, Alex; Rivera, Robert; Moeller, TimothySince the observation of direct evidence of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions (PSR) on the lunar surface, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellant for lunar exploration missions. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other typically volatile species that would contaminate and degrade downstream processing systems. Cold trapping of liberated water vapor and the purification of collected water are integral stages within ISRU architectures, but the technology to accomplish these critical water processing steps in the lunar PSR environment remains under-developed. To fill this identified ISRU gap, Paragon Space Development Corporation® has been maturing the patent pending ISRU Collector of Ice in a Cold Lunar Environment (ICICLE) Cold Trap technology which simultaneously collects and purifies water vapor from lunar ice collected from a wide range of potential lunar ice mining techniques. To predict and demonstrate water collection performance as part of this “freeze distillation” process, Paragon developed a spatial-temporal frost deposition model for low-pressure (<600 Pascal), temperature-controlled water-ice collection, and built an ICICLE development test article which allows for the measuring of frost deposition at the same conditions. This paper presents results of an experimental investigation into frost collection and aspects of freeze distillation using these tools, including the description and demonstration of the process, measurement of the growth profile of frost at lunar mining conditions, and validation of the model as a function of temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration. The presented results inform next steps for advancement of the technology and demonstrate efficacy of ICICLE as a key step in lunar water processing.Item Demonstration of Paragon's Water Purification Assembly for Lunar Water Processing(51st International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/10/2022) Holquist, Jordan; Gellenbeck, Sean; Joyce, Connor; Rivera, Robert; Bower, Chad; Tewes, PhilippSince the observation of direct evidence of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions (PSR) on the lunar surface, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellant for lunar exploration missions. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other typically volatile species that would contaminate and degrade downstream processing systems. Paragon Space Development Corporation® is developing the ISRU-derived water purification and Hydrogen Oxygen Production (IHOP) subsystem to collect, purify, and process water-ice from PSRs on the lunar surface. The primary water purification component of the IHOP subsystem concept is Paragon's Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) technology that can selectively transport water vapor through the membrane while rejecting contaminant components. This paper presents results, analysis, and discussion of an experimental investigation to demonstrate the performance of the first iteration of Paragon's Water, ISRU-derived, Purification Equipment (WIPE) assembly, one of the major assemblies of the IHOP subsystem. The WIPE assembly was tested for a cumulative duration of 4-weeks with a supply of water vapor and a mixture of expected lunar volatile contaminant components (H2, CO, H2S, SO2, C2H4, CH4, CO2, and CH3OH). Liquid water samples were intermittently collected at the output of the WIPE assembly's process chain and analyzed for their constituents. Water utilization efficiency was also tracked over the course of the test. The controlled test operating conditions and rates matched the expected operating conditions in the lunar operation. The presented results inform next steps in incremental design advancements and demonstrate viability of a core assembly of the IHOP subsystem for lunar ISRU propellant production.Item Demonstration of Paragon’s ISRU Propellant Production Subsystem Electrolyzer and Electrolysis Assembly(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Holquist, Jordan; Joyce, Connor; G Rivera, Robert; Tewes, Philipp; Myles, Timothy; Markham, David; Ebaugh, Thomas; Rich, Meagan; Willey, JasonTo better sustain long term lunar activities, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and rocket propellant for lunar exploration missions. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other typically volatile species that would contaminate and degrade downstream processing systems. Paragon Space Development Corporation®, along with their partner, Giner, Inc., has been developing the ISRU-derived water purification and In-situ Hydrogen Oxygen Production (IHOP) subsystem to collect, purify, and process water-ice from permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) on the lunar surface to generate hydrogen and oxygen, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies for water-based ISRU. The primary water purification component of the IHOP subsystem concept is Paragon’s Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) technology that can selectively transport water vapor through the membrane while rejecting contaminant components. The water electrolysis is accomplished by Giner’s lightweight, proton exchange membrane (PEM) aerospace electrolyzer optimized for ISRU applications. This paper presents results, analysis, and discussion of experimental investigations to demonstrate the performance, endurance, and robustness of the electrolyzer, along with initial demonstration of the electrolysis assembly of the IHOP subsystem. The first build of the electrolyzer stack was tested for a cumulative runtime of 6,000 hours to verify long-term durability and performance. A second build was put through four freeze-thaw cycles with performance testing before and after each cycle to show robustness through non-operational environmental conditions experienced on the Moon. Further, the electrolyzer balance of plant assembly was built and tested. Results met the nominal electrolyzer subsystem performance requirements. The integrated IHOP subsystem will be demonstrated with both water purification using a simulated lunar volatile contaminant load and water electrolysis of the resulting water operating together in future testing.Item Demonstration of Paragon�s Ionomer-membrane Water Processing (IWP) technology as a Purification Step for Lunar Water Processing(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Holquist, Jordan; Gellenbeck, Sean; Bower, Chad; Tewes, PhilippSince the observation of direct evidence of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions (PSR) on the lunar surface, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and liquid rocket propellant for lunar exploration missions. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other typically volatile species that would contaminate and degrade downstream processing systems. Paragon Space Development Corporation� is developing the ISRU-derived water purification and Hydrogen Oxygen Production (IHOP) subsystem to collect, purify, and process water-ice from PSRs on the lunar surface. The primary water purification component of the IHOP subsystem concept is Paragon�s Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) technology that can selectively transport water vapor through the membrane while rejecting contaminant components. This paper presents results, analysis, and discussion of an experimental investigation to probe the effectiveness of the IWP technology for purifying water vapor of expected lunar volatile contaminant components (H2, CO, H2S, SO2, C2H4, CH4, CO2, and CH3OH). Liquid water samples were collected on the clean-side of the IWP from seven test batches with inputs of water vapor and varying contaminant components present at much higher loading concentrations with respect to water vapor than expected in the process during lunar operation. The controlled test operating conditions matched the expected operating conditions in the lunar operation. Each collected water sample was analyzed for impurities and results indicate the conservative performance of the IWP technology for this application. The presented results inform downstream process designs and demonstrate viability of a core component of the IHOP subsystem for lunar ISRU water purification.Item Design of a Vacuum-Assisted Product Removal, Ionic Liquid-based, Carbon Dioxide Electrolyzer(48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2018-07-08) Holquist, Jordan; Nabity, James; Klaus, David; Abney, MorganThe design of a device and the supporting experimental apparatus are presented for a novel flow cell electrolyzer used to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) into relatively pure and separate product streams of carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2) in an overall water-neutral reaction. The electrolyzer uses an aqueous ionic liquid (IL) solution as the CO2 solvent, electrolyte, and co-catalyst and a porous, hydrophobic, catalyst-coated gas diffusion electrode as the cathode. The IL is a non-toxic and non-volatile component demonstrated to be thermally and chemically stable, all of which are advantageous properties for its use in a spacecraft environment. The configuration of the flow cell electrolyzer is novel in that it eliminates any need for a separate gas-liquid separation system to separate gaseous products from the liquid electrolyte. The plans for upcoming tests and current progress on testing this design are described.Item Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction with Room Temperature Ionic Liquids for Space Exploration Missions(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Holquist, Jordan; Klaus, David; Nabity, James; Abney, MorganImproved oxygen (O2) recovery from carbon dioxide (CO2) is a recognized capability needed to enable long-term human space exploration. It has applications for environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) as well as for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Past trade studies of technologies for physio-chemical CO2 reduction processes have included the Sabatier process, the Bosch process, solid oxide co-electrolysis, and carbon formation reactors, but have not made mention of low temperature CO2 electrolysis. Aqueous, low temperature, electrochemical CO2 reduction and co-electrolysis processes offer potential advantages for ECLSS and ISRU systems, but they are not yet at sufficient technology readiness levels (TRL) to be considered for use onboard spacecraft. Various research avenues are currently advancing the maturity and performance of these processes, with one attractive prospect being the use of room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). RTILs are non-volatile solvents with high CO2 solubility that are generally safer than other liquids used as CO2 solvents. In an electrochemical cell, RTILs can act as electrolytes with high electrochemical and thermal stability. Recently, RTILs have been seen to act as catalyst promoters that favor selective product formation with lower energy costs compared to conventional low temperature electrochemical CO2 reduction technologies. Because a variety of human space exploration mission scenarios could benefit from an RTIL-assisted electrochemical reduction system (ECRS), high-level conceptual designs are presented with a qualitative discussion of their potential advantages and challenges. Further, the performance metrics for an ECRS are translated to system-level design parameters (mass, volume, and power). This will allow for a first-order assessment of how an ECRS would fit within ECLSS or ISRU system budgets, and ultimately aid in assessing the feasibility and advancing the TRL of ECRS technologies.Item Experimental Proof of Concept of a Cold Trap as a Purification Step for Lunar Water Processing(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Holquist, Jordan; Gellenbeck, Sean; Bower, Chad; Tewes, PhilippSince the observation of direct evidence of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions (PSR) on the lunar surface, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has been proposed for processing the regolith-bound water-ice to provide fresh water, breathable oxygen, and liquid rocket propellant for lunar exploration missions. One possible method of extraction is the sublimation and vapor transport of the water from the regolith to a collection and processing system. However, the water-ice is found concurrently with other typically volatile species that can sublimate with water vapor and that would contaminate and degrade downstream processing systems. Paragon Space Development Corporation� is developing the ISRU-derived water purification and Hydrogen Oxygen Production (IHOP) system to collect, purify, and process water-ice from PSRs on the lunar surface. A critical component of this system concept is a cold trap that selectively deposits water-ice from a saturated water vapor stream while rejecting the contaminant volatiles. This paper presents results, analysis, and discussion of an experimental proof of concept demonstration wherein a warm process gas containing water vapor and volatile contaminant components (H2, CO, H2S, NH3, SO2, C2H4, CH4, CO2, and CH3OH) was passed into an evacuated and actively chilled thick-walled glass bottle. Water-ice samples were collected from each of eight test batches with varying contaminant components present at concentrations with respect to water vapor matching their observed proportionality from the LCROSS mission results. Each water sample was analyzed for impurities in both the liquid water and the gaseous headspace of the sample. Results indicate that retained contaminants have concentrations at or below the Henry�s Law estimates made in ICES-2020-71, demonstrating proof of concept of a freeze distillation purification step for lunar water processing by using a cold trap for water collection.Item Freezable Single-loop Thermal Control Architecture Assessment and Potential Key Enabling Technologies(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Nabity, James; Holquist, Jordan; Klaus, DavidA space habitat thermal control system (TCS) keeps the vehicle, avionics and atmosphere within a specified temperature range. On the International Space Station, a water coolant loop collects internal heat loads for transfer to an external anhydrous ammonia loop via a closed heat exchanger. The ammonia loop then interfaces with the radiators to reject the heat. This requires sensors, active components and feedback control to ensure that the fluid temperatures remain within their allowable limits without freezing water. Further, toxic materials like ammonia impose constraints on design and require additional instruments to monitor for leaks. Together, these result in a complex architecture for spacecraft thermal control. Incorporating a single-loop, freezable water-based cooling system can offer numerous potential benefits to the TCS architecture: 1) removing the ammonia cooling loop eliminates this toxic material and reduces complexity, 2) freeze-tolerant components reduce the risk of structural damage posed by freeze, 3) selective freeze of the fluid loop can passively turndown the heat rejection rate and 4) can also provide thermal storage capacity. Under cold environmental conditions, the radiator temperature drops below the freeze point and water freezes along the tube. The buildup of ice then passively turns down the rate of heat rejection in proportion to the net thermal load from the spacecraft and the external heat sink environment encountered, as the ice layer both adds thermal resistance and forces fluid flow through a bypass. Similarly, as the heat load increases, the ice absorbs heat during thaw due to the latent heat of fusion. In this position paper, we describe a freezable single-loop TCS architecture along with potential enabling technologies, present strategies to integrate this concept into the architecture allowing self-regulaton of the spacecraft thermal environment, and discuss performance attributes for thermal control of orbiting spacecraft and habitats.Item MarsOASIS: A predeployable miniature Martian greenhouse for crop production research(45th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2015-07-12) Darnell, Asa; Azad, Anurag; Borlaug, Brennan; Case, Daniel; Chamberlain, Christine; Fortier, Kier; Guerrie, Paul; Jethani, Henna; Marino, John; Soma, Chaitanya; Srivastava, Aastha; Wasswnberg, Alex; Holquist, Jordan; Nabity, James A.In order to enable long term habitation on planetary surfaces, a means of sustainable food production must be developed. The MarsOASIS greenhouse concept evolved to research crop production and serve as a proof of concept for larger scale food production facilities that would support manned missions to the surface of Mars. Utilizing in situ resources such as the Martian atmosphere, sunlight, and UV-C radiation, the greenhouse aims to provide a sustainable method of long-term food production requiring minimal consumable resources. The MarsOASIS system is capable of growing a full life cycle of Outredgeous lettuce with its autonomous control system designed for an unmanned environment and the option for teleoperation. A reduced-scope prototype of MarsOASIS is being developed to test technologies such as natural/artificial hybrid lighting, water recycling, remote teleoperation, and fully autonomous monitoring and control of the greenhouse. The prototype is currently in the final stages of design, with a full demonstration of plant life cycle testing set to occur in summer 2015. Results from this prototype demonstration will help quantify the feasibility of the innovative approaches incorporated in the MarsOASIS design.