Selection and Characterization of a Liquid Sorbent for CO2 Removal in Advanced Exploration Systems

Abstract

Removing carbon dioxide (CO¬2) from a spacecraft environment for deep space exploration requires a robust system that is low in weight, volume, power, and reliability. Extended missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) presently do no utilize long term reliable technology. Current CO2 removal systems, such as the carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA), use solid sorbents that demand high power usage due to high desorption temperatures and a large volume to accommodate for their comparatively low capacity for CO2. Additionally, solid sorbent systems contain several mechanical components that significantly contribute to a large overall mass. Liquid sorbents have been evaluated as an alternative and are proposed to consume 65% less power, weight, and volume than solid based CO2 scrubbers, and therefore offer simplicity leading to reliability. This paper presents the evaluation, test data, characterization, and selection of a liquid sorbent for CO2 removal in deep space exploration.