Browsing by Author "Junaedi, Christian"
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Item CO2 Reduction Assembly Prototype using Microlith-based Sabatier Reactor for Ground Demonstration(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Walsh, Dennis; Roychoudhury, Subir; Abney, Morgan B.; Perry, Jay L.The utilization of CO2 to produce life support consumables, such as O2 and H2O, via the Sabatier reaction is an important aspect of NASA’s cabin Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS) and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) architectures for both low-earth orbit and long-term manned space missions. Carbon dioxide can be reacted with H2, obtained from the electrolysis of water, via Sabatier reaction to produce methane and H2O. Methane can be stored and utilized as propellant while H2O can be either stored or electrolyzed to produce oxygen and regain the hydrogen atoms. Depending on the application, O2 can be used to replenish the atmosphere in human-crewed missions or as an oxidant for robotic and return missions. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, has previously developed an efficient and compact Sabatier reactor based on its Microlith® catalytic technology and demonstrated the capability to achieve high CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity (i.e., ≥90% of the thermodynamic equilibrium values) at high space velocities and low operating temperatures. This was made possible through the use of high-heat-transfer and high-surface-area Microlith catalytic substrates. Using this Sabatier reactor, PCI designed, developed, and demonstrated a stand-alone CO2 Reduction Assembly (CRA) test system for ground demonstration and performance validation. The Sabatier reactor was integrated with the necessary balance-of-plant components and controls system, allowing an automated, single “push–button” start-up and shutdown. Additionally, the versatility of the test system prototype was demonstrated by operating it under H2-rich (H2/CO2 of >4), stoichiometric (ratio of 4), and CO2-rich conditions (ratio of <4) without affecting its performance and meeting the equilibrium-predicted water recovery rates. In this paper, the development of the CRA test system for ground demonstration will be discussed. Additionally, the performance results from testing the system at various operating conditions and the results from durability testing will be presented.Item Compact, Regenerable Trace Contaminant Control for Advanced Portable Life Support System(48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2018-07-08) Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Loebick, CodrutaTrace contaminants that are introduced into the ventilation loop of a spacesuit via metabolic processes, off-gassing of spacesuit materials, and by-products of the amine used in the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) system can be removed using activated charcoal. Although effective, the drawbacks of using activated charcoal are a bulky system with low regeneration capability, a reliance on consumables, significant power consumption, and consequently high associated life cycle operating cost. The charcoal bed cannot be regenerated solely by vacuum, and thus has to be regenerated on-base since it requires heat treatment along with a sweep gas or vacuum to remove the desorbed contaminants. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has developed and demonstrated a new sorbent material for the TCCS in advanced spacesuit applications based upon PCI’s novel nanomaterials, enabling a compact, low pressure drop, and regenerable TCC device for efficient removal of NH3 and CH2O. A combination of novel sorbents, tailored for specific contaminants of interest, and structured support substrates permit practical implementation of the sorbent for a vacuum-regenerable (without heating requirement) TCCS with high bed utilization and high removal efficiency, while also minimizing the competitive sorption with moisture and CO2. The resulting TCCS bed, with enhanced mass transfer and regenerable capability, offers the potential for real-time, on-the-suit sorbent regeneration, reduced logistical burden associated with bed replacement or thermal regeneration, and offers significant volume and weight reductions of the TCCS module. In the past year, PCI has been improving the performance of the sorbent materials for the removal of NH3 and CH2O and developing operational windows for the improved TCCS prototype. In this paper, the performance metrics and operational requirements of the improved TCCS beds consisting of the new sorbents will be presented. These include results from performance testing of the prototype at PLSS operating conditions, including capacity, regenerability, and multi-cycle testing.Item Design and Evaluation of Regenerable Trace Contaminant Control for Advanced Portable Life Support System(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Loebick, Codruta; Vilekar, SaurabhTrace contaminants that are introduced into the ventilation loop of a spacesuit via metabolic processes, off-gassing of spacesuit materials, and by-products of the amine used in the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) system can be removed using activated charcoal. Based on a previous study performed by NASA, the use of a Trace Contaminant Control (TCC) device is necessary in the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) ventilation loop to control ammonia and formaldehyde from potentially exceeding their Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) levels. Although effective, the drawbacks of using activated charcoal as the TCC sorbent bed are a bulky system with low regeneration capability, a reliance on consumables, significant power consumption, and consequently high associated life cycle operating cost. The charcoal bed cannot be regenerated solely by vacuum, and thus has to be regenerated on-base at the end of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) mission. It typically requires heat treatment along with a sweep gas or vacuum to remove the desorbed contaminants. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has been developing and evaluating regenerable adsorber technologies for capturing ammonia and formaldehyde for spacesuit applications. The first technology is derived from more conventional, zeolite-based sorbents and the second technology is based on new functionalized nanomaterials. The new technology is developed using PCI’s novel adsorbent nanomaterials that have high surface area and can be designed to achieve uniquely-targeted sorbent properties including minimizing competitive sorption with water and CO2 as well as vacuum regenerability without heating. Both the zeolite-based sorbents and the functionalized nanomaterials were applied on ultra-short channel length Microlith® substrates to permit practical implementation of the sorbent for a vacuum swing regenerable TCC device. Here, the performance metrics and operational requirements from each technology will be presented and compared. These include results from performance testing at PLSS operating conditions, including removal efficiency, regenerability, and multi-cycle testing.Item Design and Performance Maturation of Regenerable Trace Contaminant Control for Removal of Ammonia and Other Trace Constituents(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Loebick, Codruta; Flanagan, SineadThe Trace Contaminant Control System (TCC) is a component in the ventilation loop of the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) which removes contaminates present in the ventilation system. These trace contaminants, introduced into the ventilation loop via crew metabolic processes, off-gassing of spacesuit materials, and by-products of the processes contained within the suit, such as by the CO2/H2O removal system (e.g., Rapid Cycle Amine beds), would accumulate without the TCC and pose a threat to the crewmember. They are traditionally removed using non-regenerable activated carbon. Although effective, the downside of using the current state-of-the-art is a bulky system with low regeneration capability, a reliance on consumables, significant power consumption, and consequently high associated life cycle operating cost. This provides a logistics impact to future missions. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has been designing and evaluating a compact, vacuum-regenerable sorbent bed for effectively removing a broad range of trace contaminants, meeting NASA's target performance requirements, which can be integrated with the Exploration PLSS CO2/H2O removal system. Both the primary trace contaminants as well as other species that threaten to exceed the 7-day Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) levels were addressed. These sorbents with different properties were combined in the modular Trace Contaminant Control (TCC) bed, tailored to the requirements and in suitable proportion. Our approach is based on PCI's proven sorbent nanomaterials that have high surface area on a structured support, enabling a compact, modular, and vacuum-regenerable TCC device. TCC hardware prototypes were designed, and their performance was evaluated after integration with a CO2/H2O removal system in a closed-loop ventilation test rig. In this paper, we plan to highlight the TCC bed engineering and the resulting specifications, including life cycle and environmental testing at the anticipated operational conditions. Future optimization based on the test data and sorbent performance will also be summarized.Item Energy Efficient Microlith®-based Catalytic Reactor and Recuperator for Air Quality Control Applications(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Vilekar, Saurabh; Hawley, Kyle; Junaedi, Christian; Crowder, Bruce; Prada, Julian; Mastanduno, Richard; Perry, Jay; Kayatin, MatthewPrecision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) and NASA – Marshall (MSFC) have been developing, characterizing, and optimizing high temperature catalytic oxidizers (HTCO) based on PCI’s patented Microlith® technology to meet the requirements of future extended human spaceflight explorations. Previous efforts focused on integrating the HTCO unit with a compact, simple recuperative heat exchanger to reduce the overall system size and weight. Significant improvement was demonstrated over traditional approaches of integrating the HTCO with an external recuperative heat exchanger. While the critical target performance metrics were achieved, the thermal effectiveness of PCI’s recuperator remained a potential area of improvement to further reduce the energy requirements of the integrated system. Using the same material combinations and an improved recuperator design, the 2nd generation prototype has experimentally demonstrated 20 – 30% reduction (flow dependent) in the steady state power consumption, in comparison to the 1st Generation prototype, without compromising the destruction efficiency of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, design modifications and improvements allow our prototype to be more easily manufactured compared to traditional brazed plate-fin recuperator designs. The 2nd Generation prototype was delivered to NASA-MSFC for validation testing. Here, we report and discuss the performance of the improved HTCO unit with a high efficiency recuperative heat exchanger based on testing at PCI and NASA-MSFC. The device is expected to provide a reliable and robust means of disposing of trace levels of methane and VOCs by converting them into carbon dioxide and water in order to maintain clean air in enclosed spaces, such as crewed spacecraft cabins.Item An Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for Deep Space and Commercial Habitats(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Henson, Phoebe; Yates, Stephen; Dotson, Breydan; Bonk, Ted; Finger, Barry; Kelsey, Laura; Junaedi, Christian; Rich, MeaganLong-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond require an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to have increased performance, reliability, and resiliency while still meeting mission safety requirements and remaining within volume, mass, power, cooling, and crew-time constraints. The Commercial ECLSS is an improved alternative to the baseline ECLSS technology used on the International Space Station (ISS). By combining new technologies developed and matured by Honeywell, Precision Combustion, Giner, and Paragon, the Commercial ECLSS addresses multiple capability and reliability gaps for the long-duration crewed missions described by NASA. With higher oxygen and water recovery rates, a spacecraft utilizing the Commercial ECLSS will require minimal-to-no resupply mass, which translates to significant cost savings over the course of long missions. This paper describes the team�s conceptual ECLSS architecture and identifies the significant capability and reliability gaps closed from the ISS ECLSS. Additionally, it illustrates how by avoiding the many failure modes faced by the ISS ECLSS and by incorporating modern technologies into the system, the Commercial ECLSS offers a safer, more reliable, and more cost-effective solution for commercial and NASA customers.Item Evaluation of CO2 Adsorber, Sabatier Reactor, and Solid Oxide Stack for Consumable, Propellant, and Power Production – Potential in ISRU Architecture(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Vilekar, Saurabh; Roychoudhury, SubirThe utilization of CO2 and regolith off-gases (e.g., methane and high hydrocarbons) to produce life support consumables, such as O2 and H2O, propellant fuels, and/or power is an important aspect of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) architecture for future, long duration planetary missions. One potential solution is to capture and use CO2 from the Martian atmosphere and/or hydrocarbons from regolith off-gas to generate the consumables, propellant fuels, and power. One approach is to chemically converting the collected carbon dioxide with H2, obtained from the electrolysis of water, via Sabatier reaction to produce methane and H2O. Methane can be stored and utilized as propellant while H2O can be either stored or recycled/electrolyzed to produce oxygen and regain the hydrogen atoms. Depending on the application, O2 can be used to replenish the atmosphere in human-crewed missions or as an oxidant for robotic and return missions. Alternatively, the generated and collected CH4 and O2 can be used as fuel in a solid oxide stack to produce power. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, has developed a regenerable adsorber technology for capturing CO2 from gaseous atmospheres (for both cabin atmosphere revitalization and ISRU applications) and a compact, efficient Sabatier reactor for converting CO2 to methane and water. Recently, we demonstrated a system concept for an innovative, high power density solid oxide stack for the utilization of methane and other hydrocarbons along with O2 to produce power. The resulting enhanced heat transfer and mass transfer design offers the potential for higher overall efficiency, simplifies the system, and enables further compactness and weight reduction of the system while improving the conditions for long system life. Here, the performance metrics and requirements from each technology will be presented. These include results from performance testing at various operating conditions and durability testing.Item Evaluation of Compact, Regenerable Trace Contaminant Control for Removal of Ammonia and Other Trace Constituents(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Junaedi, Christian; Hawa, Hani; Loebick, CodrutaThe objective of this development effort supported by NASA is to evaluate a new Trace Contaminant Control (TCC) technology that is capable of selectively removing trace contaminants from the atmosphere in an advanced spacesuit system, with focus on power, size, and removal capability. In the current spacesuit Portable Life Support System (PLSS) architecture, the trace contaminants that are introduced into the ventilation loop of a spacesuit via metabolic processes, off-gassing of spacesuit materials, and by-products of the amine used in the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) system are removed using activated charcoal. Although effective, the drawbacks of using activated charcoal are a bulky system with low regeneration capability, a reliance on consumables, significant power consumption, and consequently high associated life cycle operating cost. The charcoal bed cannot be regenerated solely by vacuum, and thus has to be regenerated on-base since it requires heat treatment along with a sweep gas or vacuum to remove the desorbed contaminants. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has been developing and evaluating new regenerable sorbent materials for the TCC system in advanced spacesuit applications based upon its novel nanomaterials previously developed for terrestrial applications, enabling a compact, low pressure drop, and regenerable TCC device for efficient removal of ammonia and formaldehyde, among other constituents. A combination of novel sorbents, tailored for specific contaminants of interest, and structured support substrates permit practical implementation of the sorbent for a vacuum-regenerable (without heating requirement) TCC bed with high bed utilization and high removal efficiency, while also minimizing the competitive sorption with moisture and CO2. In this paper, we plan to highlight the sorbent engineering and optimization process, TCC bed design for proof-of-concept evaluation, and sorbent performance, including life cycle and environmental testing at the anticipated operational conditions.Item Hydrogen Generation and Compression using Solid Oxide Membrane(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Suzuki, Toshio; Dewa, Martinus; Junaedi, Christian; Roychoudhury, Subir; McLarty, DustinDevelopment of component and subsystem technologies for H2 production for planetary mission requirements is important to obtain sustainable, energy-efficient fuel production from planetary water and possible organic materials. Our development effort is intended to strongly emphasize significant overall efficiencies in component and system size, weight, and energy consumption and utilization for ISRU applications. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has been developing a new type of solid oxide membrane/cell that allows simultaneous H2 generation from planetary resources and compression at an intermediate-temperature based on a novel membrane architecture and materials, and processing techniques. Proof of concept testing of the new membrane/cell architecture indicated potential to be to be lightweight and presents several advantages over state of the art, including high gravimetric and volumetric power density, simplified solid oxide stack structure, rapid thermal cycle tolerance for fast start-up and shutdown, and more redox tolerant. Additionally, it is capable of operating in fuel cell mode for power generation with high fuel utilization, expected to realize high round trip efficiency. The goal is to generate high-purity H2 via electrolysis at a low energy consumption, and with simultaneous H2 compression to very high pressures. This avoids the need for a mechanical pump for compression, sweep gases, or gas separators essential for conventional solid oxide membranes. In this paper, we will present results from preliminary performance characterization of the lab-scale solid oxide membrane in both fuel cell and electrolysis mode. Performance evaluation under pressurized conditions will also be presented.Item Inspiration Mars ETDU Air Management System Test Results(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Ball, Tyler; Finger, Barry; Junaedi, Christian; Rich, Meagan; Cates, MattThe Inspiration Mars Environmental Contr ol and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Technology Demonstration Unit (ETDU) program has completed testing six key elements which enable closed loop life support. Of those six elements, four are included in the Air Management System (AMS): CO2 Reduction Assembly (CRedA), CO2 Removal Assembly (CRemA), Oxygen Production Assembly (OPA), and the Trace Contaminant Control Assembly (TCCA). Each of the four assemblies was tested at the Paragon facilities in Tucson and was shown to meet or exceed the key functional requirements for closed loop life support.Item Microlith®-based Catalytic Reactor for Air Quality and Trace Contaminant Control Applications(45th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2015-07-12) Vilekar, Saurabh; Hawley, Kyle; Junaedi, Christian; Crowder, Bruce; Prada, Julian; Mastanduno, Richard; Perry, Jay L.; Kayatin, Matthew J.Traditionally, gaseous compounds such as methane, carbon monoxide, and trace contaminants have posed challenges for maintaining clean air in enclosed spaces such as crewed spacecraft cabins as they are hazardous to humans and are often difficult to remove by conventional adsorption technology. Catalytic oxidizers have provided a reliable and robust means of disposing of even trace levels of these compounds by converting them into carbon dioxide and water. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) and NASA – Marshall (MSFC) have been developing, characterizing, and optimizing high temperature catalytic oxidizers (HTCO) based on PCI’s patented Microlith® technology to meet the requirements of future extended human spaceflight explorations. Current efforts have focused on integrating the HTCO unit with a compact, simple recuperative heat exchanger to reduce the overall system size and weight while also reducing its energy requirements. Previous efforts relied on external heat exchangers to recover the waste heat and recycle it to the oxidizer to minimize the system’s power requirements; however, these units contribute weight and volume burdens to the overall system. They also result in excess heat loss due to the separation of the HTCO and the heat recuperator, resulting in lower overall efficiency. Improvements in the recuperative efficiency and close coupling of HTCO and heat recuperator lead to reductions in system energy requirements and startup time. Results from testing HTCO units integrated with heat recuperators at a variety of scales for cabin air quality control and heat melt compactor applications are reported and their benefits over previous iterations of the HTCO and heat recuperator assembly are quantified in this paper.Item Performance Evaluation of Regenerative Solid Oxide Stack(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Vilekar, Saurabh; Junaedi, Christian; Rehaag, Jessica; Qi, Chunming; Roychoudhury, SubirIn-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) allows consumption of local resources to produce life support consumables or propellants and is extremely critical for missions beyond low earth orbit where re-supply options are impractical. It is thus advantageous to develop unitized energy conversion device, capable of both energy storage and production within an integrated and process-intensified ISRU. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, continues to develop unitized, regenerative solid oxide stack system, capable of reforming lunar or Martian off-gases of various hydrocarbon lengths from methane to longer chain hydrocarbons for energy production (similar to battery discharging) as well as efficient H2O/CO2 electrolysis for energy storage (similar to battery charging). Challenges and risks regarding carbon deposition and thermal management associated with reversible hydrogen electrode for internal reforming have been addressed. The dual use regenerative fuel cell design is crucial to overcoming some of the known shortcomings of more traditional approaches. This approach has the potential to provide high power density, improve reliability, and enable quick cycling between power generation and electrolysis. In this paper, we will present results from performance evaluation of the unitized, regenerative solid oxide stack; including direct internal reforming and co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2. Results from durability and performance mapping at various operating conditions will be presented.Item Regenerative Solid Oxide Stack for Energy Storage(2023 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2023-07-16) Vilekar, Saurabh; Junaedi, Christian; Hawley, Kyle; Allocco, Eric; Rehaag, JessicaPrecision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, continues to develop unitized, regenerative solid oxide stack system. The technology has been previously demonstrated for power generation with methane reformate and efficient co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2 for energy storage. Challenges and risks regarding carbon deposition and thermal management associated with internal reforming have already been addressed. Advantages include potential to provide high power density, improve reliability, and enable quick cycling between power generation and electrolysis. Durability over multiple cycles and several hundreds of hours of operation has been proven. Prior experimental validation comprised utilizing air on the oxidant side of the solid oxide stack. With NASA support, PCI is advancing stack validation and evaluation for air-independent operation to enable implementation of the regenerative stack technology in future NASA missions to the moon, near-Earth asteroids, and Mars. In this paper, we describe continued developmental efforts undertaken at PCI to experimentally demonstrate a regenerative solid oxide stack capable of air-independent operation for use in In-Situ Resource Utilization applications for future NASA lunar and/or Martian missions.Item Regenerative Solid Oxide Stack for Lunar and Mars Oxygen Production and Surface Energy Storage(48th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2018-07-08) Vilekar, Saurabh; Junaedi, Christian; Gao, Zhan; Howard, Chris; Roychoudhury, SubirIn-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is critical for expanding robotic and human extraterrestrial exploration beyond low earth orbit where re-supply options are nonexistent. Local resources need to be converted to useful products (e.g., life consumables and propellants) to reduce cost and risk and support human presence. Regenerative fuel cell systems offer increased storage capacity and can be used in future NASA missions to the moon, near-Earth asteroids, and Mars. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, is developing a regenerative solid oxide stack system approach that combines novel structural elements. Our approach allows direct internal reforming of regolith off-gases (e.g., methane and high hydrocarbons) within a solid oxide stack as well as efficient H2O/CO2 electrolysis for O2 production, overcoming shortcomings of traditional approaches. The resulting enhanced heat transfer design offers the potential for light-weight and simple stack design with high efficiency and durability. In this paper, we will present performance metrics including results from concept validation and performance testing at various operating conditions.Item Unitized Regenerative Solid Oxide Stack(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) Vilekar, Saurabh; Junaedi, Christian; Allocco, Eric; Gao, Zhan; Roychoudhury, SubirEnergy storage and production in space via In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is critical for expanding robotic and human extraterrestrial exploration beyond low earth orbit where re-supply options are nonexistent. Traditional system configurations, in conjunction with photovoltaic solar arrays, comprise two separate systems: 1) fuel cell to convert fuel (e.g., H2) into electricity and 2) electrolyzer to produce O2 and fuel via electrolysis of in-situ resources. Development of Unitized Regenerative Solid Oxide (UR-SOC) Stack for providing both power and utilizing in-situ resources (e.g., H2O and CO2 for Mars mission) has the potential to provide high power density, improve reliability, and enable quick cycling between power generation and electrolysis within an integrated and process-intensified ISRU. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), with support from NASA, has been developing a unitized regenerative solid oxide stack system. In this paper, we will present results from preliminary performance characterization of the UR-SOC and system concept design for diurnal operation. Capability for direct internal reforming of regolith off-gases (e.g., CH4 and higher hydrocarbons) within a solid oxide stack will also be presented.