Integrated System Modelling for Spacecraft Atmospheric Revitalization Using a Supported Ionic Liquid Membrane

Date

7/12/2021

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

50th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Reducing the cabin partial pressure of carbon dioxide (ppCO2) has become a cornerstone requirement for maintaining crew health during long-duration spaceflights. Current missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) allow up to 4.0 mmHg ppCO2, which is maintained by the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). Long-term continuous exposure at CO2 concentrations of this level has been hypothesized to adversely affect crew performance and contribute to crew physiological issues. Astronauts and physicians alike have advocated for lower levels to mitigate these concerns. Thus, the current goal is to enable technologies that can maintain a CO2 partial pressure below 2 mmHg. A supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM) shows promise to enable this technological jump while maintaining system functionality at constant steady-state conditions.

Developing a system to constantly run at steady-state enables its subassemblies to be sized for peak efficiency, and the underlying ionic liquid chemical processes negate any need for cycling or regeneration. Thus, in order to fully explore the potential design space of this technology, models of each component and subsystem were created to understand the influence of designated parameters on system performance. The intricacies of interactions between each subsystem are being explored by creating a unified, integrated system model. Data output from process simulations will be used to further refine the design space. Results from Monte Carlo simulations will be used to inform system-level sensitivity to principle design parameters with the ultimate goal of developing a demonstration unit which can maintain the desired ppCO2 for a 4-person crew while fitting within a volume of approximately 0.3 m3 at a power consumption of less than 500 W.

Description

James Nabity, University of Colorado
Robert Aaron III, University of Colorado
David Wickham, Reaction Systems Inc.
ICES302: Physio-chemical Life Support- Air Revitalization Systems -Technology and Process Development
The 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held virtually on 12 July 2021 through 14 July 2021.

Keywords

supported ionic liquid membrane, CO2 removal, selective gas separation, Monte Carlo simulations

Citation