Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid System (CDRILS): Impacts of Trace Contaminants and Ground Prototype Testing

The Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid System (CDRILS) utilizes a continuously recirculated ionic liquid sorbent and hollow fiber membrane contactors for carbon dioxide removal from air. Endurance testing under realistic operating conditions and at realistic scale are critical for demonstration of the feasibility of the technology for revitalization of cabin air in human space missions. CDRILS has undergone challenge testing with trace contaminants and demonstration testing at full-scale on a ground prototype. Common contaminants present in the cabin air of ISS were divided into four groups based on chemical similarity and fed in simulant cabin air at varied concentration to the CDRILS scrubber or dissolved directly into the CDRILS liquid sorbent. The degree of capture and release of the contaminants, as well as the ability of CDRILS to withstand the chemical stressors, were evaluated. No decrease in carbon dioxide removal rate due to any of the contaminants was identified. In addition, the liquid sorbent was aged under simulated operating conditions for further evaluation of system durability. The full-scale CDRILS ground prototype was commissioned and operated as a demonstration of scale, validation of system modeling, and further evaluation of system durability.