Modeling and Separation Performance of the Condensate Separator for Microgravity Conditions (COSMIC)

Paragon Space Development Corp. has developed a COndensate Separator for MIcrogravity Conditions (COSMIC) patent pending technology that harnesses centrifugal acceleration to continuously separate the liquid and gas phases from a high flowrate, high void fraction mixed-phase flow in a compact, low-power design and pump the removed liquid at pressure to a water collection or processing system (WPS). The initial target application is the separation of condensate from the airflow exiting a condensing heat exchanger (CHX) in the Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) on the International Space Station (ISS) or commercial habitats, but its infusion potential extends to thermal and humidity control and water recovery and management for all crewed space missions. This includes Low Earth Orbit (LEO), lunar, and planetary surface habitats as well as deep space, cislunar, and gateway spacecraft. As a versatile liquid-gas separation technology that will operate equally well in micro, partial or full gravity, applications for COSMIC include climate control, water recovery for crew consumption and reuse in plant growth facilities, and separation of mixed-phase products for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This paper presents analysis and test results for the performance of the COSMIC engineering development unit (EDU) under flow conditions representative of operations in the ISS CCA. The experimental work utilizes a testbed supplying an airflow with condensate injection upstream of the separator and is performed in an adverse orientation to gravity. Testing has demonstrated the continuous capture and removal of 3.2�6.6 lbm/hr, or 25�50 mL/min, of liquid condensate and slugs up to 500 mL, with a pressure drop below 0.5 inH2O for airflow rates of 25�425 CFM. Test results show that COSMIC is capable of delivering the captured liquid at pressures consistent with delivery to the ISS WPS and excellent water quality with a gas fraction below 0.1%.