Increased Oxygen Recovery from Sabatier Systems Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Metal Hydride Separation

Abstract

State-of-the-art life support carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction technology is based on the Sabatier reaction where less than 50% of the oxygen required for the crew is recovered from metabolic CO2. The reaction produces water as the primary product and methane as a byproduct. Oxygen recovery is constrained by the limited availability of reactant hydrogen. This is further exacerbated when Sabatier methane (CH4) is vented as a waste product resulting in a continuous loss of reactant hydrogen. Post-processing methane with the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA) to recover hydrogen has the potential to dramatically increase oxygen recovery and thus drastically reduce the logistical challenges associated with oxygen resupply. The PPA decomposes methane into predominantly hydrogen and acetylene. Due to the highly unstable nature of acetylene, a separation system is necessary to purify hydrogen before it is recycled back to the Sabatier reactor. Testing and evaluation of a full-scale Third Generation PPA is reported and investigations into metal hydride hydrogen separation technology is discussed.

Description

Bellevue, Washington
Zachary W. Greenwood, NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, USA
Morgan B. Abney, NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, USA
Jay L. Perry, NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, USA
Lee A. Miller, Jacobs Engineering, USA
Roger W. Dahl, UMPQUA Research Company, USA
Neal M. Hadley, UMPQUA Research Company, USA
Spencer R. Wambolt, UMPQUA Research Company, USA
Richard R. Wheeler, UMPQUA Research Company, USA
The 45th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Bellevue, Washington, USA on 12 July 2015 through 16 July 2015.

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