Browsing by Author "Jenson, Ryan"
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Item A Capillary Fluidic CO2 Scrubber for Spacecraft: the Liquid Amine Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Torres, Logan; Weislogel, Mark; Chen, Yongkang; Krishcko, Oleg; Jenson, Ryan; Belancik, Grace; Alcid, Marian; Levri, Julie; Hand, Lawrence; Cortez, Adrian; Heavner, Selda; Graf, JohnReliable air revitalization systems are in the critical path of the human exploration of space. The current state of the art regenerable solid sorbent CO2 removal systems have provided decades of service in low-earth orbit. However, certain novel technologies are rapidly developing that purport attractive and essential features for deep space missions: i.e., quiet, reliable, and continuous operation with lower-power, lower-volume, and lower-maintenance expectations. The recently successful ISS flight demonstration of the Capisorb Visible System (CVS) has increased awareness and confidence in the potential application of massively parallelized open-channel capillary fluidic devices and surfaces to perform the largely passive wet CO2 scrubbing air revitalization function. Such approaches have been exploited aboard submarines employing �falling films� for decades with high-affinity amine liquid sorbents (MEA, DGA, etc.), a feat that could be replicated in re-formatted fashion in the microgravity environment of orbiting or coast spacecraft. The Liquid Amines Carbon dioxide Removal (LACR) system is a simple closed loop cycle with a flow-through �thin capillary film� contactor that reacts with and absorbs CO2 directly from the cabin air. The sorbent is then drawn into a second capillary fluidic device where vacuum pressures and elevated temperatures reverse the reaction and degas the liquid, venting, re-routing, or storing the CO2 for subsequent processing. A single pump returns the regenerated sorbent to the contactor for continuous cabin air conditioning. The key components of the LACR system include a Porous-sheet Contactor (absorber), Capillary Conduit Degasser and Separator (desorber), and Capillary Condensing Heat eXchanger (CCHX). The design and function of these devices are reported along with quantitative performance characteristics of loop operation collected during ground tests. Scale-up of the system for a crew of four suggests significant (>2x) reductions in system size, mass, power, and consumables over the current state of the art.Item Advanced Fluids Processing for Life Support using Superhydrophobic Surfaces(2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2020-07-31) Jenson, Ryan; Torres, Logan; Turner, Caleb; Weislogel, MarkSuperhydrophobic substrates and surfaces have tremendous applications potential for essentially non-contact water processing aboard spacecraft for life support. However, such surfaces have not been aptly exploited aboard spacecraft to date. We first demonstrate the marked improvements in passive system performance that can be achieved with the judicious use of superhydrophobic substrates and surfaces. We highlight the many current life support systems that can benefit from such ‘non-wetting’ conditions. We then identify the variety of monolithic materials and coatings suitable for spacecraft deployment with holistic safety and compatibility considerations of the complete life support system. We note that such benefits apply for both micro-gravity and Lunar-gravity systems. As an example of our approach, we outline the design, construction, and demonstration of a high-performance passive urine collection and transport device. The device consists of superhydrophobic components for consideration as an advanced replacement for waste water processing equipment currently in use on orbit. The impact of the simple superhydrophobic surface is to render the ‘wetted parts’ largely untouched by the contaminated water streams. Thus the device remains ‘contaminant-free’ for long durations and the number of replacement parts can be substantially reduced or eliminated saving costs, up-mass, volume, and crew time. Such devices can be developed, fabricated, and qualified as desired for fast-to-flight engineering technology demonstration aboard the ISS with the intent of addressing numerous water processing unit operations for life support including urine collection and distillation elements, bubble separations, plant watering systems, condensing heat exchangers, and more.Item Capillary Fluidic CO2 Scrubbing Aboard Spacecraft: the CVS Demonstration on ISS: Part I Overview(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Weislogel,Mark; Torres, Logan; Krishcko, Oleg; Jenson, Ryan; Levri, Julie; Belancik, Grace; Jan, Darrell; Heavner, Selda; Hand, Lawerance; Graf, JohnFalling liquid film amine sorbent reactors have been successfully employed to scrub CO2 aboard submarines for decades. However, applying such proven methods aboard orbiting and coast spacecraft is significantly challenged by the nearly weightless environment, where liquid sprays and films do not fall, and vapor bubbles and gases do not rise. The Capillary sorbent Visible System (CVS) is a technology demonstration experiment performed aboard the ISS April 18 � 21, 2023. The system establishes stable steady thin liquid film flows in Contactor (absorber) and Degasser (desorber/stripper) replacing the passive role of gravity with the combined passive roles of surface tension, wetting, and system geometry. A viscous TOX-0 fructose ersatz liquid sorbent is employed such that the �transparent� experiments can be performed and filmed by the crew in the open cabin of the ISS. Completed objectives include demonstrations of stable passive �massively� parallel planar thin film capillary flows across atmospheric pressure Contactor and sealed heated Degasser. The impacts of varying flow rate, flow direction, heat input, viscosity, condensate collection and return, fluid distribution, interfacial stability, and others are reported. Over 49 diagnostics are recorded for digitization and subsequent thermal-fluids model validation by a single HD video downlink during the nearly 22 hours of operations. This paper (Part I) provides an overview of the flight hardware including description of the components, diagnostics, crew procedures, flight operations, and summary of accomplishments. A second paper (Part II) provides further details of the diagnostics, tests performed, data reduction, data archive, analysis, and technology impacts.Item Capillary Fluidic CO2 Scrubbing Aboard Spacecraft: the CVS Demonstration on ISS: Part II Results(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Weislogel,Mark; Torres, Logan; Krishcko, Oleg; Bizeau, Ben; Jenson, Ryan; Levri, Julie; Belancik, Grace; Jan, Darrell; Heavner, Selda; Hand, Lawerance; Graf, JohnThe CVS flight experiments conducted aboard ISS during April 18 � 21, 2023 focus on microgravity thermal-fluid technology demonstrations related to liquid amine CO2 scrubbing aboard spacecraft. The central objectives of the work include the establishment and limits of stable passive capillary-driven �massively� parallel planar thin film flows across �Contactor� and �Degasser� as functions of flow rate, flow direction, flow resistance, heat input, viscosity gradients, condensate collection and return, fluid distribution, and interfacial stability, among others. An overview of the flight hardware including description of the components, crew procedures, flight operations, and summary of accomplishments is reported in a companion paper (Part I). This paper (Part II) highlights certain details of the tests performed, data reduction, data archive, analysis, and technology impacts. Over 49 diagnostics are recorded using a single HD video downlink during the nearly 22 hours of operations.Item Capillary Hydroponic Plant Watering System for Spacecraft(2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2020-07-31) Torres, Logan; Jenson, Ryan; Weislogel, MarkSoil-based systems for crop cultivation aboard spacecraft suffer mass penalties due to the transport, storage, and disposal of the nutrient soil mass. In contrast, hydroponic systems purport to require only nutrient water solutions for optimal plant growth. Though low-g soil systems present their own challenges regarding optimal water delivery to the ever-changing root zone, successful low-g hydroponics systems must address the challenges of large length scale capillary flow phenomena. Recent technology development investigations conducted by NASA have demonstrated that such capillary fluidics phenomena can be successfully exploited for the advancement of numerous spacecraft fluids management systems—despite the poor and often highly variable wetting properties of water. Following a brief review of such demonstrations we outline the development of an automated omni-gravitational hydroponic system for applications aboard transit and orbiting spacecraft as well as for surface laboratories on Earth, Moon, and Mars. Our approach exploits capillary fluidic elements for passive water-nutrient delivery, stable fluid containment, flow control, aeration, bubble phase separations, and more. Specific challenges such as passive methods to adjust nutrient delivery to the plant throughout the highly variable plant growth cycle are discussed. Terrestrial benchtop and scaled model low-g drop tower tests are presented that support expectations of successful operations in space.Item Capillary Structures for Exploration Life Support ISS Experiment Kit(48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2018-07-08) Sargusingh, Miriam; Weislogel, Mark; Viestenz, Kyle; Jenson, RyanThis paper describes the Capillary Structures for Exploration Life Support (CSELS) ISS payload being developed to study the use of structures of specific shapes to manage fluid and gas mixtures in microgravity. The payload focuses on evaluating capillary structures relevant to evolve water recycling and carbon dioxide removal technologies, benefiting future efforts to design lightweight, more reliable life support systems for future space missions. The water recovery system being evaluated is the Capillary Brine Residual in Containment (CapiBRIC); specifically, the evaporator element. The payload will include both science and technology demonstration experiments intended to show important aspects of the Capillary Evaporator in microgravity. The effect of pore shape, connectivity, depth, and contact line length on stability and drying performance will be evaluated as a pure science experiment while the technology demonstration will show infill, drying, and fluid stability using a non-toxic ersatz that mimics the characteristics of the ISS wastewater brine that most impact fluid flow and containment. The carbon dioxide removal system evaluated in this experiment is the Capillary Liquid CO2 Sorbent System, designed to remove CO2 from air using a liquid sorbent, and to regenerate the sorbent. The science component of the Capillary Sorbent experiment evaluates distribution of flow to and across open-air channels. The technology demonstration component includes demonstration of flow of a non-toxic sorbent ersatz, and demonstration of flow through proof of concept prototype.Item The Collapsible Contingency Urinal (CCU) for Spacecraft(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Weislogel, Mark; Jenson, Ryan; Krishcko, Oleg; Torres, Logan; Adam, Naids; John, Graf; Pettit, DonaldThe routine, hygienic collection and processing of urine aboard spacecraft remains difficult. This fact is perhaps as attributable to the myriad requirements of spaceflight life support as it is to the acute challenges of multiphase fluid physics in microgravity. In this paper we present the specification, development, flight demonstration, and certification of a Collapsible Contingency Urinal (CCU) for use aboard spacecraft. The passive device exploits recent advances in microgravity capillary fluidics research, combining robust superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic substrates that mimic gravity, where, in effect, droplets ‘fall’ and bubbles ‘rise.’ According to crew commentary, the device successfully delivers a method for clean, ergonomic no-moving-parts urine collection for females, which is in turn successfully adapted for males. The encouraging results provide a practical solution for CCUs aboard spacecraft as well as identify a design path forward for the myriad passive fluids management tasks ahead for space exploration. Directions for future CCU production are highlighted in summary.Item Exploiting Capillary Sorbent Films for Air Revitalization aboard Spacecraft: Analysis of a Semi-Passive CO2 Scrubber(2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2020-07-31) Weislogel, Mark; Torres, Logan; Jenson, Ryan; Graf, John; Hand, Lawerance; Belancik, Grace; Jan, Darrell; Levri, JulieLiquid sorbents have provided a primary means for robust carbon dioxide (CO2) control aboard submarines for decades. Unfortunately, such systems have not been adopted for use aboard spacecraft due to the fact that fine droplet sprays, thin falling films, and buoyancy-driven bubbly flows are not easily managed in the essentially gravity-free environments of orbiting spacecraft. Such applied engineering challenges have remained outstanding for the microgravity fluid physics community. As a work-around, in this research, a stable, silent capillary-driven ‘thin film’ is produced over a massively parallel network of open channels for both CO2 uptake and degas functions in a microgravity environment. Following several quantified assumptions, simple analytical models of species, heat, mass, and momentum transport are invoked providing clear design guides for a future engineering demonstration of the approach aboard the International Space Station. For critical sorbent properties such as CO2 capacity, effective diffusion rate, and concentration- and temperature-dependent viscosity, we provide the essential requirements of flow rate, size, shape, stability, power draw, and other aspects of the system. The results imply that a considerable reduction in system mass and volume is possible for the liquid sorbent approach for CO2 scrubbing when compared to the current state of the art.Item An ISS testbed approach to passive fluid phase separator device development for life support(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) Torres, Logan; Jenson, Ryan; Weislogel, MarkGravity passively separates gases from liquids on Earth due to buoyancy. This makes it easy to separate and process 100% gas or liquid streams. But because such buoyancy is essentially absent aboard spacecraft, nearly all fluid systems aboard them are, or become, multiphase fluid systems. This outcome presents a plethora of acute fluidics challenges that are well-known to NASA. The common theme to these issues is a lack of familiarity with large length scale capillary fluidic phenomena that precludes proper design. If future long-term missions are to be successful and efficient, mundane micro-gravity plumbing must be well-understood. In response to this need, we are currently developing a testbed for the development and exhaustive testing of next-generation capillary fluidics solutions for passive and semi-passive phase separation that are critical to the reliable operation of current and future spacecraft life support systems, plant and animal habitat systems, propellant/coolant management systems, bio-fluidics processors, and passive fluids delivery and control systems for physical sciences experiments. The single component, low profile, low-noise, and low power draw testbed is developed for quick installation in the open ISS laboratory. Following installation, it can be controlled from the ground for 24/7 operations for short to long duration phase separator component testing and qualification. Quick attachment and detachment mounts for the test devices allow for multiuser options including industry, academy, and government users. Development and proof of concept of such a system is guided by a breadboard-style prototype designed for use in a high rate drop tower. The breadboard design exhibits similar size and function as the flight ready system, as well as demonstrates the high-fidelity, high-speed data acquisition capabilities of the system. The current state of the hardware is presented along with the results of the preliminary low-g tests.Item Passive no moving parts capillary solutions for spacecraft life support systems(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) Weislogel, Mark; Jenson, RyanLife support systems for plant, animal, and crew habitats are replete with the challenges of managing poorly wetting aqueous solutions in a low-g environment. A brief review of noteworthy on-orbit system failures provides ample renewed motivation to understand microgravity capillary phenomena to the point such failures may be avoided in the future. Historic and recent NASA-funded low-g experiments are highlighted that greatly expand our experience base and comfort level to prepare for and preferably exploit capillary forces. Our specific aim is to replace the passive role of gravity on earth with the combined passive roles of surface tension, wetting, and container geometry in space. We demonstrate a general approach highlighting high-TRL examples pertinent to urine collection and processing. From this specific example we demonstrate more specific applications to passive in-line separator devices, beverage cups, and bio-sample de-bubblers. Broader applications can be made to other challenging processes such as brine drying, condensing heat exchangers, liquid sorbent CO2 scrubbers, wet lab unit operations, and habitats for plants and animals.