Browsing by Author "Jacobi, Robert"
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Item Modeling and Separation Performance of the Condensate Separator for Microgravity Conditions (COSMIC)(51st International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/10/2022) Jacobi, Robert; Stukbauer, Kelly; Joyce, ConnorParagon Space Development Corp. has developed a COndensate Separator for MIcrogravity Conditions (COSMIC) patent pending technology that harnesses centrifugal acceleration to continuously separate the liquid and gas phases from a high flowrate, high void fraction mixed-phase flow in a compact, low-power design and pump the removed liquid at pressure to a water collection or processing system (WPS). The initial target application is the separation of condensate from the airflow exiting a condensing heat exchanger (CHX) in the Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) on the International Space Station (ISS) or commercial habitats, but its infusion potential extends to thermal and humidity control and water recovery and management for all crewed space missions. This includes Low Earth Orbit (LEO), lunar, and planetary surface habitats as well as deep space, cislunar, and gateway spacecraft. As a versatile liquid-gas separation technology that will operate equally well in micro, partial or full gravity, applications for COSMIC include climate control, water recovery for crew consumption and reuse in plant growth facilities, and separation of mixed-phase products for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This paper presents analysis and test results for the performance of the COSMIC engineering development unit (EDU) under flow conditions representative of operations in the ISS CCA. The experimental work utilizes a testbed supplying an airflow with condensate injection upstream of the separator and is performed in an adverse orientation to gravity. Testing has demonstrated the continuous capture and removal of 3.2�6.6 lbm/hr, or 25�50 mL/min, of liquid condensate and slugs up to 500 mL, with a pressure drop below 0.5 inH2O for airflow rates of 25�425 CFM. Test results show that COSMIC is capable of delivering the captured liquid at pressures consistent with delivery to the ISS WPS and excellent water quality with a gas fraction below 0.1%.Item Next-generation Spacecraft Humidity Control and Water Recovery System (SHOWRS) – Combining the Condensate Separator for Microgravity Conditions (COSMIC) and Laser-Processed Condensing Heat Exchanger (LP-CHX)(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Jacobi, Robert; Joyce, Connor; Sanders, John; Zuhlke, CraigSpacecraft temperature and humidity control systems (THCS) are an essential part of environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) for all human spaceflight missions. Crew perspiration and respiration releases approximately 50% of consumed water into the cabin atmosphere, so failing to recover water from the atmosphere necessitates the transport of large quantities of water from Earth. The Spacecraft Humidity Control and Water Recovery System (SHOWRS) described herein combines Paragon Space Development Corporation�s patented COndensate Separator for MIcrogravity Conditions (COSMIC) and Edare and UNL�s Laser-Processed Condensing Heat Exchanger (LP-CHX) into a THCS that functions equally well in micro, partial or full gravity to provide high-efficiency water recovery for sustainable, long-duration human habitation and exploration missions in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), in cislunar space, on the Moon, on Mars, and in deep space. This paper discusses the SHOWRS system specifications and advantages compared to state-of-the-art THCS, showing the substantial benefits in performance, size, and power over alternative technologies. We describe the empirical, analytical, integrated COSMIC sizing and performance model that couples principal design and operating parameters to predict power draw as a function of condensate loads, airflow rates, and differential pump pressure. The paper also highlights the thermal, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties of the laser-processed silver condensing surfaces at the core of the LP-CHX and the resulting superior performance and longevity.Item Novel Compact Gas-Liquid Phase Separator for Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) Applications(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Jacobi, Robert; Joyce, Connor; Kelsey Aldrich,; Zhi Huang,Paragon Space Development Corporation�s patented Condensate Separator for Microgravity Conditions (COSMIC) is a next-generation phase separation technology that captures and removes liquid condensate from a gas stream through rotary inertial separation. Initial work on COSMIC targeted a design and size appropriate for crew cabin temperature and humidity control systems (THCS). This paper describes a sub-scale COSMIC (mini-COSMIC) designed for much lower gas flow rates and operation with non-standard gasses for phase separation applications in other key subsystems of a regenerative or closed-loop Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), in particular water recovery from carbon dioxide (CO2) removal/reduction and oxygen (O2) generation, as well as gas separation from urinal intake flow. The subscale design retains the principal advantages inherent to the COSMIC technology: phase separation and liquid pumping in a single-stage unit, reliable separation performance that is insensitive to upstream flow conditions and different liquid inflow regimes (e.g. slugs), compact envelope, low power draw, and very low gas-side pressure drop. Mini-COSMIC functions under micro, partial, and full gravity and its design allows it to also operate as a fan, thus potentially eliminating the need for a separate fan/blower. This paper discusses the application space for liquid/gas phase separators, provides comparisons to the state of the art, and presents analytical modeling and performance predictions grounded in test data.