Developing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF) to Achieve Earth-Like CO2 Levels for Advanced Space Exploration

Date

2020-07-31

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

"Achieving earth-like CO2 levels for space exploration requires an effective carbon removal technology that occupies minimal volume and consumes minimal energy. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers have demonstrated exceptional CO2 adsorption capacities and can be easily regenerated using low-grade heat. In this paper, the results of a screening study are presented where several candidates are assessed. Adsorbents are assessed using a mini-breakthrough experiment to measure the CO2 adsorption capacity, kinetics and cyclability. Effects of humidity are also explored to understand the system requirements for dehumidification. Candidates with a degree of hydrophobicity make it possible to reduce the size of the dehumidification component. Promising candidates could be a direct replacement for the 4-Bed Molecular Sieve system that currently utilizes zeolites. Advantages include reduced system size, increased CO2 removal performance, and low power consumption. The next stage of development includes a scaled-up experiment to test 1 kg of adsorbent under relevant environmental conditions."

Description

Aaron Thornton, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Matthew Hill, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Xavier Mulet, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Matthew Davis, The Boeing Company, US
Cynthia Mahler, The Boeing Company, US
Steven Balistreri, The Boeing Company, US
Xingdong Wang, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Michael Batten, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Derrick Ng, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), AU
Nils Weber, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, DE
Matthias Wessling, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, DE
M. Munir Sadiq. Monash University, AU
ICES302: Physio-chemical Life Support- Air Revitalization Systems -Technology and Process Development
The proceedings for the 2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems were published from July 31, 2020. The technical papers were not presented in person due to the inability to hold the event as scheduled in Lisbon, Portugal because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Rights

Rights Availability

Keywords

Carbon dioxide removal, Metal organic frameworks, Air revitalization

Citation