Enhanced AQM: Development of an Exploration Compatible Air Quality Monitor

Real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the International Space Station (ISS) is currently performed using a pair of Air Quality Monitors (AQMs), instruments that combine gas chromatography (GC) separation with differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) detection. Each AQM occupies a volume of approximately 4900 cm3 and has a mass of 3.7 kg. Each AQM also requires a power supply that is roughly the same size and mass. While these parameters do not present a concern on the ISS, they are too large for future exploration missions. The most obvious avenue for decreasing the size and mass of the AQMs lies in the reduction from two instruments and power supplies to a single unit and power supply. As currently configured, the required target VOCs cannot be successfully monitored on a single GC column, as the column cannot be cooled sufficiently to allow separation of early-eluting compounds. Here, we will show how limited method changes and additional cooling of the GC column can minimize the effects of compound coelution and allow all analytes to be monitored on a single AQM. We will also discuss other potential improvements that could increase the sensitivity and further reduce the size of an exploration-ready AQM.